The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1902-10-10
STANDS BY COMMISSION
Governor LaFoIlette Ties Himself
Up to Gibson and AS
sociates.
ROSE rs A POLISHED SPEAKER
But Fairly Shines When Someone
Abuses Him-Wisconsin's Six
Blast Furnaces,

Madison, Wis, Oct. 7.-Governor
LaFollette's opening speech in Milwau-
kee is the final act in the opening"
of the campaign, and now for a month
the two parties will wage war with
pen and voice to influence the elector
ate which votes Nov. 4. Mayor Roses
speech here, as elsewhere, was not
long He talked for an hour and it
was well put together in point of ma
terial. Even the conservative gold
Democrats here--those who don't go
much on Roses type of man-said it
was well constructed speech. Not
Withstanding this is Governor LaFOl-
lette's home, the mayor threw his
sharpest lances and made the execu-
tive out all sorts Of things. Rose lacks
fine lines and high standards of char
acter, but it is a mistake to put him
down as unpublished in speech or style,
for he has 4 good deal of eloQuence.
TO get the best work out of him one
must interrupt and abuse him bit;
then he gets mad and coarse and the
elements of his success in Milwaukee
lie revealed. Rose must be good deal
annoyed that Governor LaFOllette does
not meet him Oh personal issues. In
stead of that Governor LaFollette is
talking Of nothing but direct primaries
and tax reform. 1t may not be, either,
that he will talk much, relying on the
big Republican supremacy to elect
him.
The Milwaukee speech is disappoint-
ing in that it does not deal frankly
with serious impeachmentS of his con-
duct and administrative efficiency.
One para graph of ten lines would have
set at rest the Buckstaff- Stout charges.
The fact is, that any defense he might
offer would weaken him by freshly adj
vertising the unfortunate incidents,
and involve him in Il personal miX-up
with Mayor Rose, who can be more
abusive than can Governor LaFOllette.
A great many people seem to think
that Governor LaFOllette's refusal to
indulge in personalities and his con-
filming his remarks to large issues, is
dignified, and statesman-like.
Mastery on Two Great Issues.
AS speech, as discussion of two
great issues it was mastery. 1t will
be an arsenal of information for the
state and for the country, respecting
the matter Of the direct vote. 1t an
swers the freshest objections. A great
crowd heard the speech and the old
time enthusiasm for this handsome,
magnetic personality was renewed. His
confidence, his earnestness, his force
and the terrific response on the part
Of cheering thousands, recalls The die
tum THE world turns aside to let any
ing" His appearance made votes for
the Republican ticket
1t is noteworthy that Governor La
Toilette takes strong sides with the
tax commission. He has learned some
things he did not know when he wrote
his first inaugural He goes to the
commission for his facts now, and not
to individuals; and from now on it is
likely he will give the commission
hearty Endorsement Together they
will make a strong team for tax re-
form.
ss' Wisconsin Iron and Steel.
A recent census bulletin shows of
iron and steel establishments in the
United States 900 nearly half are in
Pennsylvania, while our own Wiscon-
sin reports but IS. However, in these
81 23S, 900 is invested. Milwaukee
county is tWenty-second of the coun-
ties in the country producing 100000
tons of iron and steel for the census
year. Allegheny county, Pa, produces
over 100000 tons There are six
blast furnaces in Wisconsin-it is one
of the seventeen states listed in this
industry; and only eight states have
more furnaces. The total daily capac-
ity is $50 tons. Five of our furnaces
are CUM anu 1IlS
one uses charcoal.
AT Youngstown and Mfngo junction,
Ohio has five OF the largest Mast fur
naces i'll the world, each capable of
Erodacing 100000 tons of pig-iron an
nually. Furnace Il of the Edgar
Thompson group produced in single
day, i'll June, 1902, 901 gross tons OF
pig-iron.
Wisconsin reports seven rolling mills
and steel works with over $4,00O,000
invested.
States Rank in Output.
1t appears from the census that Wis
consin holds her head up in many in
dustries other than those of the farm
and the pinery. Thus in agricultural
implements we are fourth, value of