The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1909-03-04
FARMERS UNION IN TOWN.


The National Farmers Union"
came to town this week to lobby
against gambling In futures" on
the stock exchange, whereby men who
do not own a bushel of wheat or
bale of cotton sell vast quantities
of these commodities in Wall Street
Chicago and New Orleans in such a
way which makes the prices rise and
fall to the detrlment OF the farmers.
This new union" is composed mainly
of citizens OF Alabama, Georgia and
Mississippi, and makes a good ap-
pearance here. Its members were re-
ceived by the President and by Jas.
Wilson, Secretary Of Agriculture, but
spent most OF their time talking TO
Congress. The reform which they
are seeking has been warmly protest
ed against during recent years by
/ financial writer's, and its worth is
open to grave question. Nothing will
be done in regard to it at present.
The Senate continues to be the
scene OF lively struggles between the
old organization and the so-called
"sore-heads" who are not satisfied
that their abilities are being given
proper scope. Senator Aldrich stole
march on LaFolette by passing a
resolution by which all the committees
will remain the same as now during
the coming special session. This will
give the Senate workers time to get
their hands free OF business for
spectacular fight, IL that is what the
| LaFollette crowd want. Senator Bur-
kett of Nebraska came out in favor
of LaFollette his week. The plan OF
the rebels" is to give every man an
equal amount OF opportunity with all
the rest, no matter whether he Is
capable OF doing the work we'll or
not.
The Senate Judiciary Committee
has been investigating the Steel
Trusts absorption OF the Tennessee
Iron and Coal Company which took
place a year ago by permission of the
President 1t has come to the con-
clusion that Mr.. Roosevelt must have
been very wicked indeed to allow
such a thing, and just as soon as he
gets out of office It won't be afraid
to say so either. But just now II
is holding the report up i'm the Com
mittee, while the Democrats are try
ing to get 1t out onto the Senate floor
and have some fun.
WHAT is wHIsKEY?
"Whiskey is Whiskey!" This is
the decision OF Mr. Roosevelt and
Attorney General Bonaparte this
week. Anything that is not whiskey
cannot be sold under the name Of
whiskey. under the Pure Food and
Drug Act. Buckeye juice. diluted ball
potash. I've. wood alcohol, and rat
poison will henceforth have TO be
sold on their own merits and In
their own proper characters. Benzo-
ate of soda, which DR.. Wiley, the
Chief Chemist. has been fighting,
under the law above mentioned. will
be allowed to stay. Or. Wiley seems
to have been wrong about this drug,
which is used as preservatiye In
canned goods. II is now held to be
harmless. Politics was mixed up In
this affair. DIR. Wiley has many
friends among the Congressman ana
either he applied to them or else
they voluntarily got behind him
and supported him. He is an appointee
OF the President. who cannot AFFORD
TO have his men run to Congress for
support against him. Accordingly DR..
Wiley was given a lesson In obedi-
ence. At least this is the story that
is whispered. but not printed, In
Washington.
The President sent a message TO
! Congress on the reorganization OF
the Navy, transmitting the report OF
his commission which has been In
yestigating the matter. Probably con
siderable changes will be made in the
MANAGEMENT of the Department soon
The Presidents order which remov-
ed the Marine Corps from sea duty and
made il. like the Marine services OF
other countries, simply a select body
of infantry acting under the same
command as the Navy, is apparently
to pass unchallenged by Congress.
The Senate wanted to see If It
could make Mr.. Roosevelt back up
but the House will not consent TO
that course.
The big bills are all in a fair way
to be passed before Thursday, and
the chances are that Congress VIII
adjourn with a clean slate. This Is
due to the fact that it has taken up
no general legislation whatever, but
has merely worked on appropriation
bills.
CORRESPONDENCE