The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1899-10-06

THE Seattle Exposition, the Spokane
fruit fair and the state fair at Yakima
are now in full blast, and entertaining
large crowds of visitors. From the
reports we imagine that all three are
better than ever, and the Seattle show
is the biggest of them all. Those who
can should make the trip to Seattle
during the fair, and see what this
country has to show in the way of
products.
LESS than two years ago it was
nearly as difficult and dangerous to
make the trip to Klondike, as it would
be to 60 to the North Pole, but in this
age of modern things, railroads, steam
boats and the telegraph make the gold
metropolis as easily and comfortably
accessible as the neighboring state.
Last week the telegraph line from
Skagway to Dawson was completed,
and the first message sent over the
wire. An ordinary ten-word message
sent the round trip only costs 1915.
The line between Skagway and Van
couver has not yet been completed.
THE big Robertson log raft, which
has been adrift on the ocean for two
weeks has been found by one of the
searching tugs and brought to Port
Hartford, California. Mr.. Robertson,
the promoter of the idea, was on board
the Czarina when the raft was lost,
and he claims the 14-inch hawser was
cut instead of being broken, in the
hope of getting big salvage claim
out of it, and he has sued the steam
boat company. The trials of getting
big pile raft to San Francisco about
make up for the profit, but it makes
sea-faring men glad to know that it is
OUT OF their way.
The first of the series of races for
the international trophy came off in
New York Harbor Tuesday in the
presence of several million of people,
but was not finished, as the wind
dropped, and the finish could not be
made in the time limit. 1t demon
strated that the Englisher is a pretty
good boat, and stands good show of
packing off the mug for which they
have contested unsuccessfully for
thirty years, but we will hardly admit
that Yankee genius and seamanship
can be beaten, and every citizen is
hoping that the Columbia will win.
The other races occur Thursday and
Saturday, and the results will be
watched as eagerly as the presidential
election.
The Des Moines Qowa) Capital has
some unique and interesting views on
trusts. It sees no danger to anybody
in the present tendency toward trade
combines. It saw no permanent dan
ger to the country when Coxey's and
Kelley's armies were marching. The
present furore will pass away even as
passed the grasshopper and other
plaques. Out OF i. all, it will be agreed
that hereafter every man is to have q
fair price for what he has to sell
whether it be days work or suit of
clothes. The bargain counter has
educated people to demand the lowest
prices without regard to consequences.
Thoughtful men have long known
that this could not continue. Ninety
per cent. of the cost of manufacture is
wages. By the consent Of the Ameri-
can people and the action of trades
unions, wages have been sacred, not be
cut under any circumstances. There
fore all the fluctuations in prices must
be on the ten per cent. between the
cost OF labor and the cost of the man.
ufactured articles. The manufactures
got tired o: it and concluded that he
would enter the combine and take
care OF his ten per cent. Therefore he
is in the combine up to his neck and
with the trades union back of him, he
will stay IN. The public has brought
on the combines, says the Capital, by
chasing all over populous city to get
on bids on dollar and half lob.