Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-03-02
OUTSIDE POINT OF VIEW

That strenuous advocate Of publicity,
Roosevelt must be a happy man these
days. He must see in SO much activity
along the line Of reform in matters OF
public Importance, a partial realiza-
ton Of his expressed theory that pub
licity was the cure for many of the Ills
of the body polite. Miss Tarbells
magazine articles on the Standard Oil
trust have been followed by others no.
less startling in detail of outrageous
action ON the part of this big monopoly.
Lawson's "frenzied finance" is fac
tor for good, this statement to be per-
fectly true, regardless of the motives
of Lawson and the publishers of Every
body's Magazine. Donahue's articles in
Public Opinion showing up Lawson as
he really is, only adds to the argument
that good frequently comes from allow
ing Immunity to witness giving
states evidence.
The beef trust is also the subject of
magazine and newspaper articles Civ
ing the public an inside history Of an
octopus whose clutches encircle the
table of food prepared daily for the
workingman. Testimony before the
strike commission gave facts and fig
ures concerning the anthracite coal
combinations. Congressman, even a
senator or two, have dared to lift up
their voices and proclaim the UBIQUITOUS
proceedings Of many combines and
trusts. The day of publicity is here.
All the money of the multi -millionalres
can not and does not silence the voice
of the people, this In condemnation OF
the great danger to this country of the
fast accumulation of the millions by
few INSCRIPTIONS operations IN the
line of illegal combines and injurious
trusts. For awhile all of this publicity
seemed to fall on the ears and before
the eyes of a people hedless and care
less of the impositions practical on
them One of the terse sayings of a
Standard Oil magnate was the people
forget everything in three months
Today looking over the scene of his ac-
tivities, perhaps he is revising his opin-
ion.
For, first and foremost, Kansas, the
home of the crank, has at last got in
admirable work. Other states are
sending hundreds Of letters inquiring
into details of the work of their pres
ent legislature. They find a bill pass
ed appropriating several hundred
thousand dollars for a state oil refin-
cry. The labor. to be convict labor.
They read of a law passed making the
oil pipe lines common carriers. Think
what this means to the owner of small
wells. Again, they read of a law com
pelling all corporations to sell their
product at uniform prices all over
Kansas, less proportionate reduction
for freight charges. The Standard OIL
people know all of the effects OF such
law. Admit that all this work by
Kansas is a small factor in fighting
the Standard Oil combination, but 1T
would seem that Indiana, Ohio, Penn
| sylvania, Colorado and Texas are so
worked up that similar legislature will
| be enacted in all of these states OF
the oil producing belt. Is it premature
| to claim that at last the people are
| to get out of the grasp of the mon
opoly that declared $1,S00 dividend on
every 500 share of stock owned by
fortunate individuals in the year 1904?
| Is one too optimistic to claim that the
present work of the department OF
commerce will end the beef trust? Is
| it too much to hope for that with a
republican house, assisted by patriotic
democratic votes. back of republic
can president, who has the nerve, will
and power to compel a corporation
sympathising body, named the senate
of the United States, to pass railroad
rate bill comforting needed power on
Interstate commissioners, that even
this greatly needed reform is near at
hand? Long live publicity!