The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-01-05
GOVERNOR DOUGLASS
IS GETTING READY TO STIR THINGS
 IN MASSACHUSETTS.
He Says He Trusted the People and Told Them the Truth, and That Is Why They Elected
 Him.


 James Creelman in New York News.
 Under the gilded dome of the gray Capitol that looks across the bare tree-tops of Bostons sacred Common sat MT. Douglas, the millionaire shoe maker-who. in this year of Democ- racy's most sweeping defeat, was elect ed Governor of Massachusetts by plurality of 35,710 Votes-preparing to stir up that righteous and conservative Commonwealth in tariff smashing inaugural message which he is to de- liver this week.
 He is a small, slight man of sixty years, this richest of the sons of St. Crlspin, and has nothing of the lusty. advertised portraits. His face. is thin, his mustache snow-white, his eyes small, dark and keen. The bald head slopes smoothly up to a point at the back, a sign of firmnesS supported by the sharp. strong, nose, small-set jaws and straight, tight lips.
 He wore black frock coat and there was small gold pin set in the black craVat. His manner was as simple and formal as his dress.
 "I believe in public methods" he said. Publicity Is the greatest force know of. In country like this it is impos- sible to be too frank or too open. It Is that fact which gives me hope that we shall safely work out all our na-, tional problems.
 There was a curious gravity and prim decision 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 support for any genuine reform move ment. The masses are intelligent and honest. They can have no possible in terest in bad government, They na- turally look with suspicion on politl- cal or governmental methods that re- quire secrecy or explanations not easily understood They want the truth. cerity and simplicity. They want poli- cies which apply to their hard, every day lives, not academic discussion.
 T took that view when appealed to the people of Massachusetts on the tar If and trust issues, and their response at the polls shows that my confidence was not misplaced. I appealed to the poor, and when pointed out facts which they could themselves investi- gate and proVe-a S7 per cent increase in the cost of living and an increase of nized and understood the issues clear ly; they saw and appreciated what n stand-pat' high tariff and 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 to save the rest for the Massa- chusetts Legislature, to which he will
 
 trial and economic conditions generally, so that the Commonwealth may pre- sent to Congress and the President facts in support of the demand for a lower tariff and for reciprocity trea- ties. Here is a summary of the situa- tion which he recently wrote:
 The average tariff tax per family paid in 1903 was about sill for the United States. But of this tax only $l6.42 went to the Government More than Ss4 of it went to the trusts and other protected interests. Massachu- setts alone paid out more than $65 ,000,- 900 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 S6 or S7 per cent, while wages, where they have been raised at all. have been raised on an average of about 10 or II per cent. In 1903 about t250, ,0o0,00 was paid in wages to about 5s5.O0O workers in Massachusetts. The average earning then was about $471,. year. or S9.06 a week. Now then, if our manufacturers could save $7I, ,00O,- 900 on materials they could pay $71,- 900, ,00O more in wages and manufacture goods at the same cost as at present Thak iA they could afford t0 EalsS