The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-03-11
making his investigations, MT. Hassard

making his investigations. MT. Hagsard said today: ...
 tan. G .aSn mSos SAn aro%ss nSss the tS Sas oa population into great cities under in- sanitary conditions. The people who 'have left the lands in the country ana hocked to the cities find that the nom inally higher wages are not really higher, because they are eaten up py increased rents and expenditures Of all sorts they did not have to meet in the country. Still there is in the excite ment of city-life. the amusements of the cheap music halls and, above all, the freedom from loneliness and lack ol society which is the bane of country population back to the soil and keeping them there that faces the Government and we want especially to see the Sai- vation Army settlements and farms in this country and learn what you nave been doing before formulating plan of our own."
 ,Mr. Haggard does not think that the attempted reform movement can be ef- fective if there is too much charity con nected with it. The rural laborer," he said, must be given a material inter- est in staying in the country. or he VIII not stay there. l think myself It must be through giving him a freehold in- terest in the land he Is on, and this he must be made to pay for in labor or some other way"
 Taxing Department Stores.
 There has been many complaint by small merchants in this country against the formidable competition of the big department stores. In Germany they are trying to do something to relieve
 United States Consul H. W. Harris. at Mannheim writes to the Department of Commerce and Labor as follows on the subject:
 "The rapidly increasing number of department stores (warenhauser) in all parts of Germany has attracted general notice. In Prussia. Wurtemburg and Baden, and possibly in other German States, special legislation has been en- acted for the purpose of checking their growth.
 "A law which, on January 1, 1905. went into effect in the. Grand Duchy be assessed upon the amount of the annual sales of these stores. A de- partment store becomes liable to the tax when it's annual sales reach 100000 marks ($47,600) If, however, it Is d bfanch of some concern situated out side of Baden, 1t becomes liable to the tax when its sales reach So,000 marks (s7,140) The tax rate increases gradually as the annual sales increase. Thus, on sales of from 100000 to 400,- | 900 marks t$47,600 to $95,200) the rate | Is three-fifths of 1 per cent, and from cent for each 100000 marks (s23,00o) of i sales. A further provision of the law limits the amount of the tax that can be assessed against any single store of the profits. as against 20 per cent provided by the Prussian law. The | law further provides for an examina- and for penalties in case false returns are made.
 "It seems to be conceded that the special tax will have but little effect | in checking the growth of these stores. and that their effect upon tho smaller 1 shop keepers and owners of small | store rooms is a somewhat grave prob lem"
 ! Swords to Be sharpened. President Roosevelt has advised the swords of officers and cavalrymen of the army be sharpened. The type of cavalry sword hitherto in vogue has tween Japan and Russia in which the Japs wielded heavy keon- edged blades frequently splitting the enemy from top nigh to bottom. has renewed the old -ferocious notion of ancient war | fare that swords were intended to cut up human beings as effectually as pos sible. Confederate cavalry fame, demonstrat- l ed to the satisfaction and emulation or veteran army officers that the most eff fective weapon for close encounter was the Colts revolver, although 1t Is re- called that the general did essay to | learn to use the sword and so well 1 progressed that on one occasion. l speaking or ms prOnclency, ne Sdlu.
 T used to just hack 'em, but now I know how to stob 'em."
 1 General Crosier, Chief of Ordnance, in a report he has prepared on the sub | ject says:
 '"The sword Is intended for both cut ting and thrusting purposes, having a sharp point and very slight curva-. | ture. It is rather light for a good cutting weapon and for perfect thrusting we apon it should be straight. 1 It is in some respects compromise between lightness and efficiency" 1 President Roosevelt entirely ap- | proves of a heavy, sharp sword that will at one fell swoop slice the enemy all that he needs to be sliced. Dr. Mary Walker Dr. Mary Walker, who is still wear l ing trousers about Washington, is making herself manifest by vocifer- ous advocacy of a statute for all States to imprison for life all persons con | victed of poisoning other persons and prohibiting, the exercise in such cases of the pardoring power by Governors. She has become interested by the pois- | oning of Mrs. Leland Stanford. II