Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-02-04

y a, 1904
a steady stream of American money Is
flowing across the border for the es-
Establishment of branch factories that
VIII give to American manufacturers
the CayNda market. We lose this vast
volume of money so invested, but far
more important, we lose the opportun-
ity to feed an army of workmen that
under an Intelligent trade arrange
ment would be fed in the states.
The entire commercial and industrial
situation of this continent appeals to
our statesmanship for more intelligent
treatment in the interest of the Iowa
farmer. Conditions abroad are more
delicate of reafjustment. II may be
stated with confidence however. that
sall reciprocity ARRANGEMENTS with for
Ielcp nations have fully established the
value to the farmer of reciprocity as
commercial agency. Treaties pigeon
holel by congress after practical nego-
ftiafion on the part of that mastery
Iowa statesman. John a. kasson. and
fully approved by that most eonspicu-
Gus advocate OF protection, William
Mckinley. have within their scope =
very large measure of advantage Tor
the Iowa farmer.
In view of the really absorbing inter-
est Iowa should feel over such matters
why should she hesitate TO express In
national party councils her concern
over the issue of reciprocity from the
Iowa standpoint. and why should She
no, respectfully point out the peril to
the partv and the country involved In
the further neglect of opportunities so
fun of national promise1 The west
should be particularly alert in this and
kindred issues. because of the paten.
fac. that many states elsewhere are
embarrassed ny selfish interests that
do not prevail in Iowa.
TELEPHONE EANESDROPPTNG.
TRed Oak Express.l
1t makes no difference how Disagree
able the weather outside is, there Il.
always Something doing" inside the
telephone central office. and more IS
4Eecial,y the office In which ts located
the rural line switchboard. There are
fifteen rural telephone lines running
out of this city Connected with these
Lines are about 315 rural homes, and II
is rare time. irdeed. when there isn't
buzz of conversation on one or all of
these lilies. There are on an average
twenty one families on line. and 1t
Is no uncommon thing for three or
four persons 10 be talking at the same
tina over the same line. Strang1
things are sometimes heard over the
telephone wire. so 1t has come about
taken on the form of n Inalady which
has attacked many OF the families of
farmers who have telephones In their
homes. for the dear people often have
ro,hing else 10 do but listen to VIVA;
their neigfpbor's son. John. has to say
10 the girl he called to see night before
last.
Telephone officials say that whis
tfere Isn't so much eavesdropping go
ing on over the rural lines in the ag-
gregate as there once was, yet 'thsre
are MANY families in which the habit is
even growing These families hava
been afflicted. as ii We're, with the NAL
adv until it has become second nature
FOR. some one of the household to jump
to the phone every time 1t rings for
any one on thu line. II Is firmly be-
iieved by such people that detection in
this matter is impossible. This Is
mistake The trained operator at the
central office. VINO has become accus-
-, tfip va.
ecivers along Il particular line as they
are taken from the mock or replaced
thereon. can tel. the instant he hears
the click just whose 'nhone ii IS. Nor
is this the only way In which the oper-
.ttor may know who is hanging on the
line" Not long ago an eavesdropper
on a ldne running out Of Red Ook was
detected! by the squeak of a windmill.
the operator having heard that sound
sevefa! times before when this partlcu-
TAR 'phcne Was being used. Another
was located By the striking of a clock,
and yet another by the growing of a
bantam In the door yard.
This eavssiropp!ng has. indeed. be-
cone a nuisance. Not hong ago the
writer errieuvored to speak to party
over one of the rura! lines. and could
scarcely hear the persons voice simply
because nearly every party on the l!nf
took down his receiver at the sound of
the ring from central Certain tele-
phone companies are con templatinS the
establishment Of rules that will make
eavesdroppinR on the telephone hne an
offer,se punishable by fine or by the
withdrawal of the phone from the Of
lenders house. This. hwever, will
probably. not be thought of IN the case
of the ordinary rural line. for 1t would
probably do away with half OF the fra
and all OF the excitement OF having \
phone IN the house, and to the major
i.y OF the farmers this means good
deal. The rural phone is one of the
greatest innovations Of the times. and
a great blessing In spt. of its occa-
sioxlal abuse by thoughtless persons.
Mysterious Circumstance.
u