The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1906-05-11
WASHINGTON LETTER.

expectation ID washington mas OSeu
On tip toe for several days, awaiting a
message from the President relating to-
Garfield Standard Oil Investigation. The
message was expected to strengthen very
considerably the contention for new
and drastic railroad rate measure The
message has been received and while it is
Of course in favor of Railroad Rate re-
form, it is also strong argument for
placing denatured alcohol on the free list
as a check upon the arrgart oil mo-
nopoly.
~
There are many cut.throat things that
we do in this country that no other civ
ilized nation does. They have been
Enumerated and iterated again and again
IN these letters. The thing that we are
likely to do now is to defeat the alcohol
ill which passed the House of Represen-
tatives with but seven diverse votes. The
iefeat if it is accomplished, will be
hrough the treason of Senators repre-.
.enting directly or indirectly the interests
# Standard Oil and wood alcohol. Ours
is the only civilized country in the world
which taxed alcohol used in the arts. To
peak more exactly, we are the only civ
lized frst-class power that persists in
UGH folly. The whole country composed
# producers and consumers demands the
.nactment of this bill. 1t will greatly
Increase the demand for farm products.
md cheaper hundreds of things in the
ZONES both of the urban and of the
ural citizen. Discount nine.tenths that
$ said in favor of the bill and give US one.
euth and it will turn out to be the most
,eufcient legislation Congress has en-
.cted in twenty years. Let it be said that
'denatured" alcohol will put the wood
.lcohol trust out of business. Who cares
IT'S product is poison and much inferior to
the ''denatured" alcohol that will take
It's place, while the wood alcohol costs
three times as much. 1t is claimed that
the Standard oil will take the living out
# the "denatured" alcohol enterprise,
nut why not give the farmers with the
rev product chance? From the pres
mt indications the Standard oil is likel,
be on the defensive, and will need all
its energy to keep the strong hand of the
aw from its own throat. Every man and
woman in the country smarting under
he increased cost of living, should fix
MS or her attention on the committee on
finance in the Senate which is holding
back this bill The Senate proper is
ready to pass the bill by good majority.
*x*
Diplomatic and administrative circles
are much interested in the war cloud in
northern South America. 1t is thought
that military operations between Column
ia and Venezuela may be expected at an
arly day. Venezuela, it appears, has
refused to receive Dr. Herrera, the pleni
from Colombia, and this is
considered an indirect affront to the
United States. DR.. Herrera went to Ven.
znela some weeks ago to arrange a
treaty to settle disputes between these
Two countries concerning the navigation
of certain rivers. The treaty was the
work Of the American minister, Mr.. Rus
sell. South America diplomats, of whom
there are quite number in Washington,
hold that Colombia will be compelled to
take notice of this offence of the Castro
1t is still called the Castro
although it is understood
that he has sent in resignation with
string to it audsleft the Capital. 1t has
been widely heralded that it is part of
Roots mission to South Amer
lca The is expected to sail for that coun-
try in few weeks) to endeavor to form
coalition of South American states or
republics somewhat similar TO the union
of states which exists in this country. 1t
is doubtful, however, if he has any such
and it is extremely doubtful
that with the heterogeneous character OF
the South American sovereignties and
their conflicting interests such coalition
could be formed. There is always pos
sibility of war internal and external
among our Latin sisters south of the
Isthmus, but they appear to thrive on
war; and there has been great progress in
material growth and improvements, and
this progress will be greatly accelerated
after the completion of the Panama
Canal.
~
1t is reported that Senator Clark from
Montana will not be candidate for re.
election but will voluntarily retire from
politics at the end of bis present term
Senator Clark is reputed to be the richest
Senator in the United States Senate. He
is feeble man in many ways, and is no
longer young. His retirement will be no
serious loss to the Legislative strength of