Daily Arizona silver belt., 1910-02-12
DAILY ARIZONA SILVER BELT
In The Halls of Congress
BY TAV.
Special Washington Correspondence.

Special Washington Correspondence.
 United States Senator Nelson Wilmarth Aldrich has decided to permit senatorial ln- vestigation of the high cost of living.
 President Taft was in favor of the investiga- ton proceeding several weeks ago, but Sen ator Aldrich was down in Florida fishing, and of course while Aldrich fished, congress could do nothing For Aldrich is boss; he decides what investigations shall take place, who shall do the Investigating, and what kind of a report the Investigators must bring in!
 On the face of it, this state of affairs seems almost impossible in an enlightened country like the United States of America. But 1t IS the situation at present nevertheless. How IS 1t possible? Here is a brief, concentrated eX- planation: One day United States Senator La Toilette read into the congressional record the names of one hundred men who are in control of the tariff trusts, the railroads, the great banks, and the rest of the powerful and influential or ganizations and combinations of the country. These one hundred men are back of Aldrich; they are his power. They send members of con gress to Washington with instructions to follow Aldrich lead. Each one of Aldrich's followers does not approve of everything he does; but they have to be irregular" to get the favors they desire for the particular interests they rep resent.
 Aldrich is back from his fishing trip. So the investigation can proceed. It has already been decided what the investigation will not do. The inquiry will not bring in an indictment to the effect that the increased cost of living is due to the Payne Aldrch-Smoo tariff law. The re- port of the Investigating committee will not at tribute the increased cost of living, in any de- gree to our policy of excessive protection. The cost of living is advancing three times as fast in the United States under protection as it is in Great Britain under free trade. The cost of liv- ing in Detroit, under protection, is from 20 to 30 per cent greater than it is just across the river in Windsor, Canada, only 2.561 feet away. Yet it is safe to predict the investigators select ed by Aldrich, although named by Vice Presi- dent Sherman, will ignore these te-tale illus trations and bring in a verdict wholly absolving the tariff from blame. Then the investigation that Aldrich is going to permit, or perpetrate, is to be farce! Yes, reader, that's it. If you find it hard to believe that the tariff is to be vindicated, cut out this article and paste it on the inside of the cupboard door. Then wait for developments.
 Unless all signs fail, unless the sun, moon and stars turn green. and the planets forget them selves and wander from their regular orbits, Senator Aldrich will attribute the increased cost of living to the following causes:
 1. Increased proportionate output of gold as contended by President Taft.
 ?. Action of retailers in exacting excessive profits as charged by Senators Aldrich, Shoot and Flint, and corroborated by the report of the investigation" conducted by Secretary Wilson of the department of agriculture.
 3. Tendency of the average worBingman to