The record-union., 1898-06-16


year, as against little over $500 cars
last year up to the same date. A more
thorough distribution of our fruit in the
East. and a reduction of freight to not
more than 75 cents a box must be pro-
vided for, or we will not see much ad-
vance in prices next year. The opening
of the Nicaragua Canal will give US a
2o-cent rate to all Atlantic coast points.
PRIZE MONEY.
Oakland Tribune: Apart from the
glory attached to being member of a
naval fighting force there is a very
juicy financial end to the proposition.
Admiral Sampson for instance, VIII re-
ceive about $15O,OO0 as his share of the
prize money earned by the capture of
the various Spanish ships in Atlantic
waters; as for Dewey he and his men
will have $500, coo or $500, 900 to divide
among them. Under the United States
law bounty of 500 is paid for every
person on board the ship of an enemy
sunk or destroyed when the vessel is
inferior to her American opponent
When, however, the ship is superior to
the United States vessel the bounty is
S2OO for each person. AS there were
1,SO0 men under Montejo's command
more formidable than some Of the ships
under Dewey there will be a nice little
! pay day later on.
A FOUR-INCH TIRE.
Los Angeles Express: About a year
ago the Express" called attention to
the wide-tire law, passed at the last ses-
sion of the Legislature, and urged the
farmers and others to bear it in mind
in, Iii 90 ~; ",
| law provides for tires of much greater
widths than those now prevailing, and
| is to take effect January /, 1900.
1t appears that leading firm of
wagon builders has been experimenting
with tires of various widths in order
to find one that will make hauling the
easiest. 1t is claimed for the expert
ments that they are exhaustive and
conclusive and they prove that a four
inch tire is wide enough for any wagon
Evidently either the State legislators
or the wagonmakers have miscalcu-
lated, for the California law calls for
four sizes wider than four inches,
namely. four and a half, five, five and
a half and six. The question is, which
is right, the practical wagonnaker,
making measurements with an eye to
business, or the legislators?
There is no doubt that the tire in
present use is too narrow. 1t is hard
on the horses and hard on the roads 1t
cuts through sand and dust, and makes
chuckholes worse.
OF PORTO RICO.
Los Angeles Times: From present
appearances, it is probable that at the
close of the war, the United States will
ind ha1 Snlf In ton 1fC hn
Rico and the Philippine Islands; also
probably of the Caroline Islands, and
possibly of Hawaii. As to Porto Rico,
the suggestion has been made that the
United States should keep it, as an in
demnity for the war. Such project
would not probably meet with any
serious opposition from the European
Powers, most of whom have one or
more islands in the West Indies. Porto
Rico would be Of much use as a coaling
station, and also as point command
ing the western entrance to the Nicara-
qua Canal.
PROTECT THIS COAST
San Jose Mercury: AS the Pacific
waters are being deprived of everything
afloat in the fighting line, it would be
only right for Congress to provide for
the construction of a number Of first
class cruisers and battleships at San
Francisco. Several warships should be
continuously stationed on this coast
and the quality of ships San Francisco
has turned out, such as the Oregon, for
example, invites the admiration of the
world
WITH THE GOVERNMENT.
Los Angeles Herald: Isn't it a rath-
er extravagant statement, even for the
most ultra Republican organ, that the
silver Senators are willing "the soldiers
should go without food or clothing?"
Not vote has been cast by a silver
Senator against a single one of the
measures to provide Government reve-
nue. for carrying on the war.
THE WAR BOARD.
Oakland Enquirer: The Chicago
"Times-Herald" comes to the defense
Of the much-a abused War Board, and
is the only newspaper which we have
seen that feels called upon to do So 1t
quotes Secretary Long as saying that
the board has not made a single mis-
take since the beginning of the war"
and follows this up by presenting evil
dence that the orders issued to Admiral
Dewey, Admiral Sampson and Commo-
dore Schley were the briefest possible
general instructions and left those
commanders perfectly free as to de-
tails of policy.
WE WE'RE UNPREPARED.
Stockton Independent: Now we are
in a war that will cost US at least
billion dollars and we know not how
many precious lives. Cuba must be
made free. We have barred ourselves
against dominion in that island. But
the progress of the war has shown us
how utterly unprepared we were to
fight even a third-rate Power like
Spain. 1t has shown that this coun-
try would have been utterly helpless
in conflict with such nation as Rus
yia, France or Great Britain. Our few
warships would have been destroyed,
our ports stormed and our coast lines
in the hands of the enemy before we
could have provided defenses. 1t would
have taken at least two or three years
before we could get in readiness to
wage the conflict on equal terms.
The policy of President Mckinley and
of the Republican party will be to
strengthen the country against the re-
currence of such a peril. They will in
sist on stronger navy, strong coast
defenses and plenty of ammunition for
ready use. They will insist on trained
soldiers and improved guns. They will
insist on the construction of the Mic
aragua Canal, the annexation of Ha-
wall. and If necessary, the retention
Of the Philippines. They will expect
the world and particularly in the West
10 IT, - -