The Leon reporter., 1901-11-07
One Eye Open.


letter to him asking certain questions.
1t was an unusual thing for a man of
Mr.. Washburn's prominence to inject
himself into public speech, but Mr.
Bryan read his letter at the meeting
and responded to it. 1t seems that
Mr.. Washburn is getting acquainted
with the trust question. In recent
interview he discusses the subject with
and even vehemenoe. 1t
is gratifying to note some evidence Of
revolt among the republicans, who are
responsible for an administrative pol
icy that permits the trusts to thrive
and fatten upon the people at large
The Commoner is glad to give circula-
tion to the following extract from Mr.
Washburn's interview:
'Steel rails can be manufactured to-
day at fair profit and sold at SIT. so a
ton. At that price the rail mills would
make larger profit on their product
than the Touring mills would make by
profit of 10 cents a barrel on flour
which the Touring mills would be glad
to make, but do not. From the best
information have been able to gather,
steel rails can be manufactured at
about SIG per ton. Sold as they were
two and a half years ago at $3.50,
there was profit of $l.5O per ton,
which is more than the profit on flour
at 10 cents per barrel, and that is
larger profit than is averaged by the
Touring mills of this country. Yet
such rails are now being sold ut 1928
per ton, making it easier to under.
stand, with such enormous profits,
how the steel mills are enabled to pay
dividends an shares three-fourths of
which are composed of water. I do
not know just what sum would be re-
quired to rebuild these properties, but
from what am able to learn 1 am sat-
isfed that they can be reproduced at
less than one-half the amount for
which they are capitalized. The con-
sequence is that the people and con-
sumers OF the country are beng taxed
to this enormous extent in order that
the trusts and consultations may pay
such dividends. And yet with this
condition of things, we now have a
duty of $3.50 per ton on steel rails!
And what have here said of steel rails
can also be said of structural steel,
which now enters into construction of
different kinds to such an enormous
extent. If this is not robbery 1 would
like to find some stronger word to
characterize it.
Robbery" is strong word, but Mr..
Washburn wants something even
stronger. What will he say of an ad-
ministration that permits the robbery
to go on without making an effort to
mr. la
Washburn has only one eye open; with
this he sees the trusts very clearly.
When he gets the other eye open he
will be able to see the republican party
standing behind the trusts and re-
ceiving for campaign purposes a part
Of the money cxtorted from the people
Senator Foraker, in opening his
Ohio campaign, said that the demo-
cratic party could do nothing to
change the standard of Values" but
that that the republican party has 'sno
such trouble" This should be accepted
as high compliment to the demo-
cratic party. for it must be remem-
bered that the change which the re-
publican party has made in the stand.
ard of value involved enormous injus
tice to the producer of wealth.
The New York Tribune, comment
ing on fusion in Nebraska, says: "Col.
VIM. j. Bryan seems to be one of those
ill-fated politicians who can never cure
themselves of the habit of riding two
hNrcnc - ~ l.,
at the same time that it gives loving
and loyal support to fusion in New
York city between the epublicans and
the independent democrats.
Mr.. Shepherd, the democratic candi-
date for mayor of New York, was a
great and good man when, few years
ago, he supported Mr.. Low as against
the Tammany candidate. Now when
Tammany shows it's desire for good
government by nominating this same
Mr.. Shepherd, the republicans think
he is entirely unworthy of public con-
fdence.
President Roosevelt's friends have
read with CONSERVATION Mr.. Hanna's
prompt declaration that he will re-
main at the head of the republican
committee and give the administration
the benefit of his counsel.
''Let well enough alone" is the favor
ite song of the trusts and other great
combinations which are
preying upon the public, but many
the wool-growers among them-re.
fuse to join in the chorus.
The ship subsidy promoters are not
making great deal of noise, but the
indications are that they are sustain
ing lot of wear and tear on their
rubber tires.
Senator Foraker seems to think that
Providence is to blame for our being
in the Philippines, but he is sure that
the republican party deserve the cred
it if we make any money out Of the
islands.