Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-06-18

} in 1907 they required more than 5000,
900.
Our exports of manufactures ad
vanced from s46S,0O0,0oo in 1903 tc
$740,000,000 in 1907.
Our imports of raw material for use
in domestic manufacture increased
from $330,000,000 in 1903 to SAT-, 900,
600 in 1907, while our exports in the
calendar year of 1907 were nearly So,
100000, 900, an increase of 80 per cent
over those Of four years ago.
The mills and factories temporarily
closed by reason of financial disturb.
ances are rapidly resuming operations,
calling labor back to profitable enl.
ployment.
This record of material activity In
field and forest, factory and farm,
mines and mills during the last four
years might be indefinitely extended,
but this is quite sufficient to show the
development and robust condition Of
our industrial life
The nine great executive depart
ments of the government, through
which the head of the nation speaks,
and acts, have advanced with steady
and resolute steps within the sphere
of their activities, presenting a record
of achievements during the last four
years of intelligent and progressive
administration unexampled in the his
tory of the government
The agricultural department has
continued 1t work in promoting the
interest of the farmers by diversity
Ing their products: supplying new and
| valuable seeds and plants especially
adapted to our climate and soil: Grad
icating diseases which infest and de-
4 stroy animal and vegetable life; de-
veloplng the beet sugar industry from
! 40,000,000 to 480,000000 tons, valued
| at S43, 000,000; enforced the pure
food law, enhancing the value of farm
products, conserving the health Of all
our people; distributed during the
year 1907 nearly 100000 bulletins;
I provided for over 1000 scientists to
gather information for the benefit Of
agriculture; protected our forest re-
serves from the ravages of fire; con-
verified the arid lands and waste places
into fertile fields and blossoming gar
dens; extended our producing area for
grains westward into the dry regions,
SO that nearly 100000 bushels a
year are being grow. in regions which
| have heretofore been unproductive,
and IN every way possible conserving
the natural resources of the country
for ourselves and the generations to
come after us.
1908 Exports $1,000. 900 900.
The department of commerce and
labor, organized in 1903, has been ac-
tive and potential in extending our
commerce and protecting our labor. 1t
has dispatched messengers to foreign
countries, particularly to South Amer
lea and the Orient, to learn the needs
and tastes Of the people with view
of increasing our trade. The exports,
which in 1903, aggregated $1,392,000,
900, will, it Is estimated, in 1908, ag-
gregate about $1,90J,000,000, showing
an increase practically to every coun-
try It's bureau of statistics has estab-
lished a system of recording the in
ternal commerce of the country on the
Great Lakes and at important interior
centers. Its bureau of manufactures
has brought ABOUT more intimate rela-
tons between the manufacturers Of
the United States and buyers abroad,
and, by bringing purchasers into
closer touch with dealers, aided in the
extension of foreign markets for our
manufactures.
1t has co-operated in the beneficent
work of arbitration to avert or termin-
ate strikes and promote the interests
of our laboring people. Congress has
wisely cooperated with and supple
mented the work of this department by
enacting law for the better protec-
ton of seamen and to prevent their
being induced to ship through false
representations. 1t has provided for
an investigation into the conditions ri
working women and children; it has
amended and strengthened the law to
prevent the Importation of contract
labor, and provided plan for the
further exclusion of that class Of
Asiatic immigration which enters into
competition with American workmen
1t has enacted law limiting the hours
of labor of employees engaged in rail-
way train service and of railway tele-
graphers.
The congress just closed re-enacted
the law passed by the Fifty-ninth con-
gress to conform to the opinion of the
supreme court, making common car
riers liable for accidents to their en-
plOyeS engaged IN interstate COM
merce. 1t has enacted a law for the
further protection of the life Of rail-
road employees in their hazardous EN-.
ployment 1t has provided compensa-
ton for laborers and mechanics who
may be injured in the service of the
government, and making provision
for their families in the event of their
being killed in the course of their en-
ployment. It has enacted a modal
child-labor law for the Distric of Co.
lumbia 1t has directed thorough in
vestigation into the working conditions
of the employees of the telegraph and
telephone companies doing intersta+
business and, In response to the ur-
gent appeal from both capital and Ia
Dor. Congress, before it's adjourn
ment. appropriated $150,000 for an in.
vestigation into the cause of mine &C.
cidents, with view of promoting the
safety Of workers in our mines. 800.
1t Is within bounds to say that no
previous sessions Of congress have
displayed more active or intelligent
interest in the needs of the wage-earn-