Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-10-09


has passed from the farmer to the ele-
vator. Some. at least, of the great
transportation companies have been
and are in alliance with the Peaveys
of the grain trade and the Big Fours'
of the meat trade. Farmers have not
property considered transportation and
the effect it has on their profits. Too
rarely have we recognized that our
best safeguards against eXtortionate
rates of transportation, more effective
than any laws we may enact are the
lakes and rivers that God has given MS
with am ost generous hand.
self Interest, Not Prejudice.
Because of what has just been said,
it must not be inferred that the Farm
ers National congress has any ILL
founded prejudice against transporta-
ton companies or successful manufac.
turing enterprises. The Farmers Ma
tional congress never has been guilty
of that prejudice. An examination OF
the proceedings of its annual sessions
during the quarter of century OF its
honorable existence will reveal that it
has often shown its appreciation OF
the benefits of manufacture and trans
portation and has recognized that their
real interests and the real interests OF
agriculture are not antaSonistlc, but
II does that today.
This congress always has been and is
now able to distinguish between use
and abuse of functions and powers; be
tween legitimate development and ar
rogant monopoly: between the manu-
facture. transportation and buying and
selling OF goods and the fine work of
tools for legislators and judges, and
touches the itching palms of those that
make and those that should execute
laws. Self interest is yet responsible
for the conduct of mankind. 1t is
more or less enlightened; in many
cases it is opposed. more or less sue
cessfully. by philanthropy; but it is
yet self interest We can not expect
others to do for us what we should do
for ourselves We must be alert, we
must be well informed. we must be
aggressive. We need TO know more
and to do more about markets and
We need to take more in
crest and to talk and vote louder in
primaries and caucuses and conven
ions. OF us. as of others. is required
eternal vigilance.
Recognize Changing Conditions.
Changing conditions bring new re-
This we should recognize.
The changing character Ofimmigration
makes its restriction of new import
nee Time was when farmers had lit
Ie direct interest in banking. | am
afe in saying that the large majority
# farmers assembled here today have
'ank accounts and carry check-books.
-he security of banks and the estab-
ishment of postal savings banks have
ecome live propositions of great direct
Importance to farmers. Rural mail de
livery and the development of merchan-
Using along new lines make the con-
liberation of a parcels post imperative.
The automobile may, in all seriousness,
interest us as a farm vehicle. Nearly
II owners of automobiles are sensible
nd regardful for others. But some
hat own and operate automobiles are
vi NiiC AllOoA OOhbCiiipt'OAN
ct dangerous character. Their imbe-
lie and criminal conduct on the public
highways should have our united. ag-
Tessive action. The growing contempt
or law calls loudly for stern words and |
compromising stand. If the increas-
~ disregard of the law be not checked, |
OF big crops or billion-dollar corpora |
ions will save us fICm disaster. Con- |
empt of law has assumed alarming pro-
ortions. While the most brutal and |
evolting manifestations of it-deadly |
s@aults by robbers, the mforgiveable |
rims dg:-.Ist women. and lawless eX-
cutions with barbarous embeilish- |
lents-attract the most attention, GER
linly the most dangerous manifesto
ons of il are the employment by rich |
ldividuals and corporations of lawyers
nat twist and weave the subtleties and |
of the law to entangle and |
ind the agencies of justice until es-
ape is provided for those that brush |
r bend aside the laws to enrich them
elves. For this not only provides 'im-
lunity baths" for men that are none
ne less criminal because their Grim
lality makes them millionaireS, but |
reates in the public mind a contempt
Dr. law that is the most threatening |
eature of our national life. | do not
estate to say that a certain class and
ind of corporation lawyers are the
lost dangerous clement of our popula-
on. Better mer than they have been
anged - these lawyers that debauch |
nd sell the great gifts God has given
hem to devise cunning means to evade |
ne law and To array technicalities toi
Totect their criminal clients, often inn
loral, yet oftener vulgar, and con-
alike of the law and the
lasses. No man should be so high and |
ch and powerful that he is above the
NV, and no man so low and poor and
-eak that he is beneath the law. All |
4 IL, H. L