Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1906-07-11
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
Interesting News From Our Special Cor.
respondent at the Nations Capitol.

ITeSlueut INOOscNelt Ilds tdhcu uo'
cided interest in the efforts to exter-
inmate tuberculosis from the various
Departments of the Government
Stringent orders have been recently
issued in regard to the care of rooms,
cuspidors, etc.. in the effort to stamp
out the dread disease.
A great deal has been said lately
about the tremendous falling off in
the exports of meat to Germany due
to the recent packing house disclosures.
1t is interesting to note in this con-
nection that Germany buys little as
compared with Great Britain.
According to recent report of the
Department of Commerce and Labor,
the United Kingdom is by far the
largest purchaser of American pro-
ducts. OF the SIS, 900. 600 worth of
bacon. ham, fresh beef and canned
beef exported in 1905, Great Britain
took $66, 600, 600 worth, or practically
80 per cent. of the total while of
the total exports of meats. valued at
800, 600, 900, it took $50, 600, 600 worth
One of the younger congressman,
who had worked hard to have the
cost of the meat inspection placed
upon the packers in the amendment to
the meat bill. was thoroughly disgust
ed when the House decided to place
the cost of inspection upon the
Government. Yes" he replied,
sarcastically, when twitted by some
of his fellow members for failing TO
make his colleagues accept his views
on the matter, II suppose that the
beef trust, having gotten the Govern
ment to pay the tax, will now proceed
to deduct the amount OF said tax from
the purchase price of the meat, and to
add it to the selling price -
The passage of the Pure Food Bill
will more seriously effect ceI tain
interests than the general public is
aware of. 1t is stated that there are
scores of concerns in the country who
are growing rich selling horse radish
made of chopped turnips treated with
acids, candy made of glucose and
starch, fiavoring extracts made of al
cohols and acids covered with dyes,
ect., etc. DR.. Wiley, chief chemist of
the Agricultural Department. de.
serves good deal of credit for his
persistency in calling attention to
these evils and to agitating the mat.
ter until public opinion forced
Congress to take action in the matter.
One of the important pieces of legis-
lation passed during the present
session of Congress was the removal
of the tax upon denatured alcohol. 1t
was strongly opposed by the manu-
facturers of kerosAe and gasoline, and
it is thought that the Standard Oil
Company has received a pretty hard
knock, among other knocks aimed at
it lately. Alcohol with the tax re-
moved can be made cheaper than
either kerosene or gasoline, and can
be made to serve splendidly for
illuminating purposes, motive power,
and otherwise. Moreover, the raw
materials from which it is made con-
s;st of grains and other vegetables
products, and the increased demand
for these commodities will greatly
benefit the farmer who will have to
supply them.
The report that Senator Clark of
Montana does not wish to return TO
the Senate after his present term ex-
pires, emphasizes the fact that it isn't
always money that makes man infiu-
entail, even in this material age. In
the commercial world Mr.. Clark is a
leader In the Senate he is one of
the most inconspicuous members.
Society in Washington has turned its
tickle back upon him. and he finds
life in the Capital very dull.
The enormous strides of the auto
mobile industry in the the last few
years is shown by the figures just Civ
en- out by the Bureau of Statistics. In
1900, the value of all the automobiles
was "a, 74S,011, while
in 1905, they were valued at S26, 645,
064. 1t is not generally known that
the exports of automobiles almost
equal the imports, the prevailing
idea being that foreign cars are
being imported on account of their
superior excellence. The value of
the foreign imported cars during the
fiscal year, which ends with the
present week, was 81, 600, 600. while
more than So, 900. 600 worth were ex-
ported during the same time. The de-
mand for skilled labor in the auto
mobile industry can hardly be