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APRIL 23, 190t
The Commoner.
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notice. We can not assume that the bill would
bo passed much before June 1. If congress asks
the administration to abrogate the foreign trade
agreements with six months' notice that will
bring us to December 1. Congress will meet in
regular session on the first Monday in December.
Now, we can't lose more than thirty days in put
ting into effect any tariff bill subject to these
foreign trade agreements. If the administra
tion shall see fit, by the recommendation of con
gress, to abrogate these agreements and the
new tariff bill is passed in the first week of the
regular session there can be no delay. That is,
no tariff bill now passed can have any effect
until foreign tariff trade agreements are abro
gated. 'Lot well enough alone,' has been well
expressed by the Herald, and though there are
many improvements that could be made on the
Dingley tariff law from a protectionist's view
point, still it would be better to keep it than
adopt the mess now in congress."
MR. WICKBRSHAM, Mr. Taft's attorney gen
eral is already having trouble with those
who had an idea that the "Roosevelt policies," so
far as trusts are concerned, were to be main
tained. A Washington City dispatch to the
Omaha World-Herald tells the story in this way:
"Yesterday's conference at the department of
justice to consider the attitude of the adminis
tration toward trusts and transportation, de
veloped at the very outset that here is a serious
complaint against the administration. The in
terstate commerce commission is greatly dis
pleased with the policy of the attorney general
in dismissing a proceeding against the Chicago
packing firm of Nelson, Morris & Co., who were
charged with rebating. The charge was that
this firm systematically over-valued its products
in order that if they were damaged it might col
lect a much larger amount than the damage
really amounted to; thus giving in effect a re
bate. Great shippers constantly have damage
claims pending which are commonly liberally
allowed; and this plan of over-Valuation is de
clared to be a most clever avoidance of anti-rebate
law. The interstate commission was rep
resented in the, pdnfeyence by Commissioners
Knapp and Prouty "apd'tney are reported to have
mjade v,e,ry jelear .their opinion that their work
toward controlling 'railroads and preventing re
bates had-been greatly handicapped by this
action of the department of justice. The differ
ence of opinion between the commission and the
attorney general has doveloped serious propor
tions and acuteness, it is said. The general
feeling at the commission headquarters is that
thp new administration is going to withdraw that
vigorous support which' Roosevelt gave to efforts
at ,control of the carriers; and the commission
insists that if it is done it will make the Hep
burn law worthless and will nullify all efforts
to control the railroads. Some sensation, has
been caused by the bluntness with which the in
terstate commission pressed its dissatisfaction
with the tendencies of the administration. Its
course would justify sharp disciplinery methods,
even to the extent of removing some of the re
bellious commissioners, it is said, if the president
cared to press the matter to an issue. But for
the present at least he is not expected to go so
far."
THE NATIONAL Democratic club gave a din
ner at New York concerning which the New
York World says: "A fine harmony tableau of
local and national democratic leaders was staged
last night at the National Democratic club's Jef
ferson day dinner at the Hotel Savoy. Mayor
McClellan was the only local leader of note need
ed to complete the galaxy of New York City
Dosses and near bosses grouped together in ap
parent peace. Charles F. Murphy, Senator Pat
rick H. McCarren, Richard Croker and all tho
remnants of the Croker old guard, the leaders
of the old McLaughlin democracy of Brooklyn
and many members of Mayor McClellan's ad
ministration were present. Boss Murphy sat at
the speakers' table and beamed on every one,
even on McCarren, and he enthusiastically waved
a napkin when Richard Croker came in late. To
emphasize his desire for all hands to get to
gether Boss Murphy had a record attendance
on hand from his homo (the 'Gas House') dis
trict. One table stretching the entire length of
the long dining room was reserved for them, and
fifty-two of tho Taramany boss' lieutenants sat
around it. Many national leaders of the party
"were present or represented by letters. At the
speakers' table sat two of the most prominent
of the democratic governors elected last fall from
Republican states Judson 'Harmon of Ohio, and
Thomas R. Marshall of Indiana. Governor John
eon of Minnesota, had been invited, but sent a
letter of regret. United States Senator Cham
berlain of Oregon, who enjoys tho distinction of
being tho only democrat in tho United States
senate chosen by a direct primary and elected
by republican legislators, was also present. Al
ton B. Parker occupied a seat at the guests'
table, but did not speak. A significant featuro
of the affair was the almost total lack of ap
plause when tho name of William Jennings
Bryan was mentioned. When John W. Roller
announced that there were among others a let
ter of regret from Mr. Bryan there was only a
feeble volley of handclaps. A second later when
tho letter of Governor Johnson was mentioned
there was an outburst of enthusiasm. This
seemed even more significant when the letter
of Governor Johnson was singled out as the only
one to bo read."
F
ORTUNES HAVE been lost and won on
wheat recently and there has been great
excitement on the boards of trade throughout
the country. The price has run up to the high
est' point within thirty years and the price of
bread has taken a consequent rise. It is charged
that James A. Patten of Chicago has brought
about the rise in the wheat price. Thursday,
April 15, Is a day long to be remembered at
Chicago. Patten said it was nothing but a
flurry but many people lost all their worldly
possessions on that day. Patten claims that
the scarcity of wheat Is responsible for the sit
uation. An Associated Press dispatch under
date of Washington, April 15, says: "Repre
sentative Scott of Kansas, chairman of the house
committee on agriculture, today Introduced a
bill to prohibit dealings in futures of wheat,, corn
and other agricultural products. 'We have
enough republicans and democrats to insure the
passage of this bill, or one drawn along similar,
lines at the next regular session of congress,'
said Mr. Scott. 'The main thing is to draft a
measure that will be constitutional.' During
the last session of congress hearings were given,
to .bills seeking to prohibit the dealing in fu
tu'res of. agricultural products, bit no, actionwas,
taken."" ' '"' " ' ,'" ." -'" ' """""
THE CLASS IN ARITHMETIC
The following appeared in a' recent issue of
The Commoner: '
"For the class in arithmetic: If the republl-'
can party 'revises' the tariff -every two years
and raises it 1.56 per cent each revision, how '
long will it take to get it above 100 per cent?
A year's subscription to Tho Commoner will bo
given to the first republican boy who answers
successfully."
Following is the first answer:
"La Grange, Mo'., April 12, 1909. Editor Tho
Commoner, Lincoln,' Neb. Dear Sir: Having
seen your offer in your paper at a neighbors I
send my solution hoping I may be correct and
the first. The average rate after the passage"
of the Payne bill will be 45.72 per cent; hence,
the present average must be 45.72 per cent
minus 1.56 per cent, or 44.16 per cent; then
100 per cent minus 44.16 per cent equals 55.84
per cent, the necessary amount to be raised;
then divide 55.84 per cent by 1.56 per cent to
obtain the number of sessions, and the answer is
35 and 31-3 9th sessions, or in the 36th, or twice
as many years. Hoping that I may be the win
ner you will please place my name on your
subscription list at once. Yours,
JOHNNY GNUSE.
Here is a second answer:
Bartlesville, Okla., April 12, 1909. The Com
moner, Lincoln, Neb. Dear Sir: Please find en
closed answer to problem as to how long it will
take for the tariff to reach 100 per cent at
the present rate of revision, viz., 71.58974 plus
years, and 71.6 years to get It above 100 per
cent. Please send The Commoner to Herschel
Clevenger, Bartlesville, Oklahoma, for one year.
Respectfully
HERSCHEL CLEVENGER,
A. Republican Boy.
103 Kaw Avenue.
J. L. Moon, superintendent of the Ashland
County Children's Home, Ashland, Ohio, writes:
"Find enclosed a solution of the tariff question
according to article in your paper of April 9,
1909, by one of the boys of the home. He is
very anxious to get said paper. I let him havo
my paper to read. I have taken The Commoner
ever since it is published; have not missed one
number; could not do without it. I am inter
ested In true democracy, hoping to ue'o "lCMvIn
eomo time." - - ,
Ashland, Ohio, April 12, 1909. Roforring td
your offer to tho first republican boy, solving
the problem on tho tariff, in the issuo of tho 9th
inst., I submit tho following: If tho Pay no '
tariff bill passes tho rato will bo 45.72 per cent,
and 100 per cent minus 45.72 per cent equals
54.28 por cent, or incrcaso to equal 100 por
cent; 54.28 por cent divided by 1.56 per cent
gives 34 and 1-3 "revisions." As there would '
not be 34 and 1-3 "revisions," I will count 35
tho number of "revisions." If "revisions" oc
cur every two years it will bo 70 years until it
is 100 per cent or above; at tho end of 70 years
tho rate would be 100.38 per cent.
Yours truly,
CHARLES WEITTIIOFF,
Caro of Children's Home.
Hartville, Ohio, April 12, 1909. Enclosed .
find the answer to the political problem printed
in your last issuo of The Commoner. Answer: .
71 years, 7 months, 0 weeks, 5 days, 8 hours, 52
minutes, 11 and 3l-39ths seconds, or, approxi- ,
mately 71.59 years. That Is, tho abovo is tho '
exact time when it will equal 100 por cent;
therefore, It will exceed 100 per cent at any tjmo
after, however Insignificant. If I win tho prize
please send Tho Commoner to D. II. Johnston,
Nebo, 111., for one year, and notify mo if you
see fit. Very respectfully,
CLARENCE COLE. ' .
East Stone Gap, Va., April 12, 1909. Lot a
equal first term, d equal tho common difference,
1 equal tho last term; n equals 1 minus a divid
ed by d.plus 1; n equals 100 minus 44.16 divid
ed. by 1.56 plus 1; n equals (35 plus) plus l;-n .
equals 36 plus; n equals 37; 37 multiplied by
2 equals 74 years, tho answer.
J. L. SHULAR,
f
DEMOCRATIC COUNTY CENTRAL COMMIT-.
TEE, ESMERALDA COUNTY
Goldfleld, Nev.,' April 13, 1909. Editor Thai
Commoner: Replying- to your favor of the Sth
instant, we beg to 'state that owing' to the slzo"
of Esmeralda county (being equal to ten No,-'
braska counties), wo have not called the county. m
central committee' together. However, tho ex
ecutive committee has examined tho returns and'
find that Goldfleld precinct shows tho greatest
per cent gain and is, therefore, entitled to the
mule. Im this precinct there woro no votes In ,
1896 or 1900. In 1904 there woro 233 votes
for democratic electors and in 1908 1,569 votes, .
showing a gain over tho average of the three,'
preceding elections of 1,921 per cent plus. , , ;
The executive committee wants tho mulo here,.;
and' in fact this is practically tho universal sontl-(-ment
among democrats in Goldfleld. , , "
The dally papers, both republican and demo.T,,
cratlc, have given much publicity to tho matter,, ,
Just what disposition should be made of the,
mule has not been definitely decided but the
sentiment seems to bo that ho should remain1
the property of the party and be well cared fbr.
I am Instructed to say that you may ship the' ;
mule to Mr. Jack McLaughlin, chairman of tho
democratic county central committee, Goldfleld,
Nevada, at your convenience.
I might say that Hon. Peter J. Somers, chair
man of the democratic state central committee,
lives here and wants to see that mule. He has
asked to be the first to ride it. As he is also
the district judge here, for the welfare of tho
community as well as our respect for him, wo
desire that his safety should be Insured so kind
ly inform us as to the mule's trickery., Judge
Somers was formerly a congressman from Mil- .
waukee, Wis., serving with Mr. Bryan.
Very truly yours,
A. F. LESLEY,
Assistant Secretary.
GOVERNMENT BY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY
In a recent address Governor Harmon of Ohio
hit the nail on the head when he said: "Now,
Instead of seeking methods of retrenchment to
meet a present confessed deficit of more than
a hundred million, the president and congress
are devising additional taxes to exact from 'then
diminished means of the people and proposing
to issue bonds besides. State officials who would ,
propose such a course would not .dare ,to, gpv;
home to their constituents and would be forever.-;
disgraced if they should take it"
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