The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1909-04-22
Washington, ID. c.


April 10, 1909.
The United States Agriculture De-
partment holly denies that there is
any danger of continued high prices
for wheat. Secretary Wilson believes
that the wheat-growing possibilities
of the country have hardly been
touched as yet. He points out that
in New England where the land is
extremely poor the average yield of
wheat per acre is much higher than
In the West where the soil is rich
There have been very wasteful methods
of wheat raising. The Department
of Agriculture has for many years
estimated the amount of wheat which
would be grown each year, and
have never missed it more than from
five to ten per cent. Their esti-
mate this year is that the production
is about the same as last year. II
that is the case the so-called wheat
corner" of James A. Patten will
soon collapse, and the price of wheat
will go down to the neighborhood Of
dollar The higher the price of
wheat the more people will use corn
instead of wheat and the higher will
be the price paid for corn. This
looks good for the southern farmer.
There have been rumors that the
Government would bring suit against
Patten under the antitrust law,
but Attorney General Wickersham
does not think that the law would
justify such suit.
SOMETHING DOING.
A number of big things seem about
to happen.
This week has made it seem pro-
bable that an income tax law will be
passed in connection with the tariff
bill,-which no one could have fore
seen a week ago. On Thursday SEN
ator Bailey of Texas introduced an
amendment providing for a tax OF
three per cent on all incomes over
$4,000 a year. He made a great
speech. too. Bailey's character may
not be what it should, but his head is
one of the best the Democrats can
boast. II appears that the Democrats
are solidly in favor of the tax, and
that there are enough Republicans
who will vote for it so that 1t can be
passed even against the will OF the
Senate leaders Under these circum-
stances the leaders are expected 10
do the wise act of introducing an in
come tax amendment OF their own,
giving the glory for the measure TO
the party which it belongs, the Re-
publican.
This week has made 1t seem pro-
bable, too, that America will have a
tariff commission, like Germany, ia
pan and other progressive countries.
While 1t is true that Congress ought
to do the deciding of all important
questions in regard to the tariff,
still Congress ought TO be spared
the work of collecting the material
on which those decisions are based.
or course the danger is that the
clerks of the Commission will be
bribed to make the figures show that
manufacturers need protection when
they really do not. But there are
sufficient number of honest men
working in the Government depart
ments today who have like opportun-
tiles to betray facts or mistort fig
ures and are not doing 1t so that an
honest tariff commission is an I'M
questioned possibility. Senator AL
drich and Mr.. Taft both seem to be
turning toward the tariff commission
! plan. Senator Cummins of Iowa, who
by the way is making rather favor
able impression now by his energetic
vet well-judged activities, introduced
bill for such a commission this
week, as did also Senator Beveridge
MORE MONEY NEEDED.
One reason for the favorable recep
ton which is given to the income
tax is the fact that the Aldrich Bill
q will not yield money enough TO keep
the country going without going into
> debt by issuing bonds. There mas
. been appointed a committee of the
, Senate on cutting down expenses IN
, all the Governments work. under
! Senator Hemenway, but this commute
is not very hopeful Of saving grea'
deal In the way. The income taN
would bring in something like sixty
million dollars year.
The Legislators are going at 'h'
, tariff rather slowly. This is gooc
! thing. A poorly made tariff wnicr
would throw the country into a spasn
next election and necessiate the 90
ing Of the work all over again. woui'
be a great misfortune.
President Taft sent the second mes
sage to Congress on Thursday. II wa'
|. very short, and simply recommended
that the PHILIPPINES be allowed free