Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-05-19

will undoubtedly involve the treasury
in endless trouble in the future, as all
makeshift financial measures do. There
are two reasons for passing it at this
late day; first, because this republican
congress must show it has done some
thing; and. second, because the Wall
street bankers are demanding this in
flation.
The principal reform legislation that
the democrats have been fighting for
is all to be neglected, including the
repeal of the tariff tax on wood pulp
and print paper, and the bill to pre-
vent political corruption by the publ
cation of campaign expenses of all
lparties. The measures recommended
by President Roosevelt for the amend
ment.of the antitrust law, to limit in
functions against labor unions, and al
low railroads to combine and pool,
have not even been reported from COM
mittees.
The remarkable thing about this
early adjournment Is that, although
the presidents program of reforms is
almost entirely rejected, yet it appears
that he is willing to see congress al
journ without further effort to force
congress to consider those reform
measures.
! In consequence Of this practically do
nothing congress, large number of
republican congressman will wend their
way home with but little heart to face
their outraged constituents, especially
lthose whose districts are close and
/ doubtful Many of these already see
their democratic opponents look of
delight at the standpat policy these
Republican members have endorsed and
voted for; the gag rules adopted to
and amending measures. and with all
that, the lack of practical legislation.
The democrats have worked together
as one man under their able leader,
John Sharp Williams, whose constant
victories in debate over all the repub-
lican leaders has united the democrats
in their legislative program without a
Il
Prosperity association have been here
soliciting the help of the president in
their effort ito keep the dinner pail
full, to keep the pay car going, to keep
the factory busy, to keep the workmen
employed, to keep the present wages
up"
This excellent and fetching program
appealed to the president, and he Gag
erly endorsed it. The Prosperity asso-
citation is backed by the money of the
railroads, and its literature declares
''our prosperity came with the pros
perity of the railroads; it declined
when adversely struck the railroads.
We do not believe we can have the
full measure of prosperity again until
the railroads are prosperous"
This quotation is most interesting in
view of the fact that the railroads are
making arrangements for a sweeping
advance in rates, and they badly need
some public opinion on their side and
have taken the faith cure method of
Isecuring it Look on the bright side
lof things, they tell us, and have faith
in the future, and ''the pay car will
keep gOing"-if the railroads are en-.
ldorsed in increasing their rates. Per-
Ihaps increasing railroad rates will pro
lduce prosperity, but whether the peo
lple, by paying this assessment of some
hundreds of millions, will want pros
lperity by that route is doubtful. 1t is
ldisagreeable to turn deaf ear to such
a beautiful plea as the Prosperity asso
citation suggests; but one cannot help
Suggesting that perhaps If the railroads
would reduce rates, the wheels of in
ldustry might move the faster There
is nothing like low rates to foster bus
mess and keep the idle cars moving.
1t is said that the presidents change
of heart on the subject of railroad rates
and the labor legislation proposed by
to congress was produced by the re
ceipt of thousands of kilograms from
members of the Manufacturers assO
citation, of which the virile Mr. Var
Cleave is the leading spirit. If the
manufacturers openly threatened t.
bolt the &. o. p. and cut off its supple:
of Doodle for the corruption of the
floating vote this year, no wonder tina
Mr. Roosevelt was silenced.
Perhaps that is why he is now will
ing to forego anti-injunction bills. pros
ecution of railroads, and running amucl
after corporations, until the republican
dough-bags are replenished again.