The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1906-07-20
WASHINGTON LETTER.

An investigation is to be made by the
Interstate Commerce Commission, by
authority of the United States Senate, of
the elevator, grain-buying and forwarding
business of the country.
When Senator La Toilette introduced
the resolution under which action was
taken Friday, he explained that its object
was the adoption of such measures as
would protect the farmers of the country
from the extortion to which he said they
were now compelled to submit when they
dispose of their products. Astonishment
was produced by the revelations in the
investigation conducted by the COM
mission under the Tillman- Gillespie
resolution in regard to the alliances be-
tween coal-mining companies and coal
carrying roads and officials. 1t is be-
lieved that the investigation now about
to be made into the grain-buying and
grain-shipping business will disclose con-
ditions substantially similar to those
which have been uncovered in the coal
mining industry of West Virginia and
Pennsylvania.
*x*
Representative John Sharp Williams,
the Democratic leader in the House Of
Representatives, has declared himself in
favor of an international declaration of
the principle that pecuniary claims be-
tween nations are not collectible by the
use of armed force. He proposes to urge
the enunciation of this principle upon
the Inter Parliamentary Union, an or
ganization of representatives of all the
national legislative bodies, which this
year will meet in London and address
itself largely to the question of inter-
national arbitration.
Mr.. Williams sees in the present Ameri-
can policy of fiscal protectorate in Santo
Domingo great danger. He calls for a
return to first principles that citizens who
make investments in turbulent countries
must do so at their own risk, without
hope of the American Governments pull
ing their speculative chestnuts out of the
fire
Inasmuch as the same principle, under
the name of the "Drago doctrine" will
he urged upon the Pau-American Congress
at Rio Janeiro by Argentina and several
other Latin-American republics, Mr..
Williams purpose to inject it into the
proceedings of the Inter- Parliamentary
Union assumes considerable importance.
The question came squarely before The
Hague Tribunal three years ago, when
England, Germany and Italy claimed
priority of payment of their claims
against Venezuela because they had
blockaded and bombarded the Venezuelan
coast for the purpose of compelling settle
ment. The Hague jurists rule that this
blockade did give the allies right to prior
ity of payment, and SO the rest of the cred
itors are now waiting for English, German
and Italian claims to be discharged before
they get anything.
~
Both Guatemala and Salvador have ac-
cepted the tender of the good Offices Of
this Government looking to settlement
of their differences.
This information is conveyed in official
dispatches received at the State Depart
ment Sunday from the American diplo-
matte representatives in Guatemala and
San Salvador, announcing that the two
belligerent countries have availed them
selves of the tender of the good offices of
the United Safes looking to their ap-
preaching each other in a conference
having in view an adjustment of their
differences, the cessation of hostilities and
the bringing about of peace.
~
A movement is on foot to erect in
Washington a statue to Henry Wads-
worth Longfellow. While England has
placed bust of the great Poet in West
minister Abbey, America has done very
little to declare the affection with which
so many Americans regard the "Poet of
the American Preside"
New England has put into place few
slight memorials to Longfellow, but there
has been no opportunity for people of
the nation at large to justify their appre-
citation of his life and work. Washington
is felt to be the place for such a testi
monial. The streets, parks and public
buildings of the Capital City abound in
monuments to lawyers and statesmen,
but among them all there is not to be
found one which celebrates distinguished
service TO American literature.
1t is estimated that $4,000 will erect
in the Capital City a statue worthy of