The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-04-25
KANSAS COMMENT
woRK OF PIJRIIcITY.

Secretary Straus of the department
of commerce and labor has recently
called attention to the great work done
through this comparatively new de-
partment in securing the abolition of
commercial and Industrial abuses or
determinations as the automatic result
Of exposure-publicity. In his opin-
ion one Of the greatest merits Of this
new branch Of the executive depart
ment is the publicity Of business af-
fairs it makes possible. There has
been no general resentment in the
business world against the "prying" of
the government, as was predicted
when the department was established.
This new agency has moved consistent
ly, honestly, fairly and effectively. 1t
has not asked for information to which
it was not entitled. Yet 1t has accom-
plished no end Of good in the correc-
ton of business Irregularities. 1t has
abolished evil practices of many kinds.
What is more, nearly everything it has
done in this direction has been due
to publicity, or threatened publicity.
And it is just this power of pub
licity that makes the corporations in
general, more especially those engaged
in the public service, fight so vigorous
ly against all publicity legislation,
against the establishment of expert
commissions and boards, against meas
existing between capitalization and in
vestment, between investment and net
profits, between net profits and service
charges. So long as these facts are
largely in the nature of ex parte ex-
posture, the effects of publicit-- may be
discounted by the counter agitation,
Misrepresentation and prejudice. But
once the subject passes into the hands
of an impartial commission, officially
representing the people, there is no
escape from the force of published
facts.-Kansas City Star.
WIVES ON LONELY FARMS.
! A man and woman who lived on
neighboring farms near BOsworth.
Mo-, eloped to Kansas City, each de-
serting a mate and children. For a
little while they enjoyed the novelty OF
the experience, but were soon taken in
by the police, and the deserted hus-
band was sent for. He came and met
promptly "forgave' her and took her
home. But there was a touch OF
pathos in the explanation given by the
woman for her action. She said that
she had lived on farm for years
The dull monotony of that life palled
on her and drove her to a deed OF
desperation which she never dreamed
herself capable of committing. The
tempter whispered in her ear at the
moment of her greatest weakness and
she consented to leave the farm for
the allurements of the city. AS she
looked about her at the lonely and un-
attractive home and considered the
deadly tedium OF her daily life, her
soul revolted. and that spirit of yearn-
ing for a change which is in every
normal man and woman led her into
wrongdoing.
OF course, the wife who thus left heI
home and her husband to run away
with another man committed a griev-
GUS sin, yet she has not forfeited claim
to sympathy. Perhaps il her husband
had concerned himself more in max.
ing her lot happier she would not have
left him. In all probability this farm,
er was Industrious, honest, thrifty ant
of good standing in his neighborhood
He. no doubt, believed that he was g
good husband, and that his home wa.
as happy as the average This typs
of farmer is found In every communi
| ty. He forgets fl the hard years o.
| accommodating money that his wife il
wearing out her HE for want of a lit
| tie variety-that she needs chang,
from the loneliness and monotony O.
her home.-Kansas City Journal