The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-01-25
James creelman in New York World.

James Creelman in New York World.
NDER the gilded dome of the
nCH gray capitol that looks across the
NJ bare treetops OF Boston's sa-
cred common sat Mr.. Douglas, the mil
lionaire shoemaker-who, In this year OF
democracy's most sweeping defeat, was
elected governor of Massachusetts, by
plurality of 1910 votes-preparing to
stir I'D that righteous and conservative
commonwealth In a tariff-smashng in
augural message which he is to deliver
this week.
He is a small, slight man of sixty
years, this richest of the sons of st.
Crispin, and has nothing of the lusty'.
challenging look which one sees in his
advertised portraits. His face is thin his
mustache is now snow white mis- eyes
small, dark and keen. The bald head
slopes smoothly up to point at the
back, a sign of firmness supported by
the sharp, strong nose, SMALLEST jaws
and straight, tight lips.
He wore a black frock coat, and there
was a small gold pin set in the black
crayat. His manner was as simple and
formal as his dress.
II believe in pubic methods" he said
publicity is the greatest force l know
of. In a country like this 1t Is Impossible
to be too frank or too 1pen. 1t Is that
fact which gives me hope that we snail
safely work out all our national prob
lens
There was a curious gravity and prim
precision in his manner and voice.
TT is only necessary to present the
facts TO the people in such a manner
that they can test them in their own
daily lives, as all public questions shouid
be tested-to secure popular support ior
any genuine reform movement Inc
masses are intelligent and honest They
can have no possible interest in Dad
government. They naturally look with
suspicion on political or governmental
methods that require secrecy or explaha-
tions not easily understood. They want
the truth. They want publicity. They
want sincerity and simplicity They want
policies which apply to their hard every
dav lives. not academic discussion
II took that view when L Appeared
TO the people of Massachusetts on the
tariff and trust issues. and their response
at the polls shows that my commence
was not misplaced. / appealed TO the peo-
nile who really work, both rich and poor
and when l pointed out facts which they
could themselves investigate and prove
a q ner cent increase in the cost OF hv-
inc and an increase of only IL per cent
IN wages-they recognized and understood
the issues clearly; they saw and appre-
ciated what a 'stand-pat high tariH ana
a refusal to enter into reciprocal trade
relations with Canada and other countries
really means now and for the future
That was all he had to say. He wanted
70 save the rest for the Massachusetts
legislature. to which he will appeal for
an investigation of industrial and eco
nomic conditions geenrally, so that the
commonwealth may present to Congress
and the President facts in support OF the
demand for a lower tariff and for re-
ciprocity treaties. Here is summary
Of the situation which he recently wrote;
..,rhe average tariff tax per family paid
IN 1909 was about Sill for the United
States. But of this tax only $1s.2 went
to the government. Nioic 'Ai'A ""1 - a.
went to the trusts and other protected
interests Massachusetts alone paid out
more than s65,O0Oo00 last year for the
benefit of the trusts
Now, in the last few years the cost
of living in the United States has been
increased SO or 81 per cent, while wages
where they have been raised at all. have
been raised on an average Of about 10 or