Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-04-28
Men have DEBATE
Brotherhood of First Methods t
Church INDUCES in Discus
sion of Politics.
PRESIDENT IS THE SUBJECT
Question of Effect of His Policies on
Business Interests is Argued at
Monthly Session.

The influence of President Roose-
welt and his policies on the business
Interests of the United States was
the theme of discussion at the regular
monthly meeting of the Brotherhood
of the First Methodist church last
evening. The MEMBERS were enter
tanned by a spirited debate on the
question, Resolved that the policies
of President Roosevelt have been Diet
rimental to the business interests of
the country" The affirmative was
supported by F. o. Van Calder and
w. c. McClelland, while Rev. r. B.
Williams and Colonel C. L. Walker
spoke in behalf Of the negative.
The speakers on the affirmative pre-
scented the argument that the presi-
dents eccentricities, and his big-stick
plays, have brought about business de
preston, while the negative speakers
argued that the business depression
| Is due to other causes, and lauded
his great achievements in the inter
ests of peace and progress.
One Man Idea.
F. O. Van Calder, the first speaker,
declared that the president had hyp-
Noticed the American people He con-
coded that the president is brave
man, and that he has taken a cour-
| ageous stand on certain questions.
Yet, Mr.. Van Calder argued, his posi-
| tons have mainly been ridiculous, and
his failing has been in his being abb
sorbed by the one man idea Mr.. Van
Calder classed the president as err
ratio, and constantly playing to the
gallery, and as being urcertaiy of his
position. He held that the president
has taken the attitude that there is
only one man-Rooseveit. Mr.. Van
Calder pointed out that the great in
dustries are alarmed, and that in spite
Of the enormous resources of the coun-
try to be developed, there are mil
lion men out of work.
A Natural Condition.
DR.. Williams, in defense of the
presidents policies, maintained that
history shows that every four years
business activity is slowed up, and
that always the administration is
blamed for the depression. He de
clared it ridiculous to term a man
who has accomplished what Roose
welt has, detriment to business. He
icited the presidents activity in the
interest of International and industrial
lpeace as successful instances of his
: influence for the betterment rather
than the harm of business. He
claimed that peace is the great aim
and that Roosevelt has done NOR,
than any man who has held The posi-
ton he does, in time of peace. HI
! claimed that the president has RAISED
+ degree higher than it ever was be
fore.
, Cited Meat Inspection.
II Mr.. McClelland, in speaking for tn
Affirmative, gave instances of the or
Grafton of the meat inspection lay
= las evidence of the injury to business
resulting from the policies of the pres
/. ident He indicated that the mea
inspection law, as it is now applied
:, is unfair TO the meat packers, am
= works a benefit only to stock raiser:
= Mr.. McClelland took occasion to refe
to a personal complaint resultin
from the fact that he has been tran:
ferred from Rock Island To CinciI
$ natl, as United States meat inspecto
Colonel C. l.. Walker. who conclu'
| ed the discussion of the subject, 70
III lowed much the same line as that {
DR.. Williams, placing the blame fc
Il industrial depression on other i
e fiGcnces than that of the president
Il The debate was preceded by an e,
l. eellent dinner served in the basemer