The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1910-09-29
Vital Washington News.
(By Clyde H. Tavenner.)

Washington, September IT,
Spending $3,567,6S5.6 Sc every bust
ness day, the United States under
the reign of standpat Republicans
has become the most extravagant
government in the world.
Increasing Expenditures in the first
year of the Taft administration, over
the corresponding year of Cleve-
lands last administration, amount
ing to 100000, or over 120
per cent. This occurred under the
much-heralded Taft policy of "cut
to the quick economy recently re-
pudiated in Maine and Vermont.
National expenditures for the en-
suing year amount to $1,09S,S 47,-
1874, which is more than the en-
tire capital of all the national banks
in the United States, 1919, 43,S 25,
and more than one-third of the en-
tire output of all of our gold mines
in 120 years, $3,063, 900.
Two striking illustrations of the
Republican business administra-
ton are: A deficit of vi, 579,263
since June 50, 1910 A deficit of
| $1SO,3S1, $1,000 since June 2O,1907.
HereA are some of the ways the
ey in a republic:
Marble baths for senators. Autos
| to carry them 100 rods betewen their
offices and the Capital. Touring
cars for the President, Vice Presi-
dent and Uncle joe"
.Lore than $4,000 for appolinaris
water for the senators. Thousands
of dollars to keep them in vaseline,
caster oil, olive oil, bromo quinine,
hair tonic, costly perfumes, glycer-
inc, bergamot, nail brushes, clothes
brushes, travelling expenses in at
tending funerals, etc.
Much Money Wasted.
If the waste at Washington is
$50, 900, 100000 a year, as stated
by Aldrich, every American family
suffers to the extent of S16.66 every
year. This is enough to buy nearly
| three tons of anthracite coal. 1t
will buy four Or five pairs of shoes,
or many other necessaries.
Extravaganza Increases Prices.
Under the system of excessive pro-
lection, government extravaganza
and cost of living keeps pace. AS
| the government raises practically all
of it's revenue by taken things eat
en-, worn or used the consumer pays
his pro rata of government extra
vagance every time he buys a pro-
tected article at his local grocery
dry goods or furniture store.
This rule proves itself. The per
capita appropriation by Congress
jumped from Sc in 1890 to over
$12 in 1910. Between 1890 and
1910, according to Bradstreets, the
prices of 100 leading commodities
advanced Sc per cent.
People are Not Represented.
An increased annual tax of more
died upon the American people
through increased freight rates with.
in the last few years without opposi
ton by the government. But this
is not enough The railroads wan
still more revenue, and as soon as
the November elections are ovel
it is believed they will be allowed
to boost their rates a couple O.
notches higher
The interstate commerce commits
sion is now going through the form
al procedure of taking testimony
as to the reasonableness of the new
increases, which according to the es
Inmates of the commission, will swell
the annual profits of the railroad:
$500, 100000. There are high-pricet
lawyers for the railroads at the
hearings, and also an imposing ar
ray of legal talent for the big ship
pers. The public alone is unrepre
sented
One fact that cropped out at the
hearings is that the railroads seen
to have unanimously agreed that
the increased rates shall apply
where they will be the least annoy
ing to the trusts and the combina
tons Of manufacturers. The adj
ded burden is to be laid on the lit
tie fellOW-the merchant, the house
holder, the fathers and mothers o
the families, the country stOreEeep
er and the farmer. Products of tn,
trusts enjoy a striking immunit.
from increases. This is not hard t
understand. 1t is not easy for tn
railroads to put an increased rat
over on the sugar or the steel trust
Such increases would be fought tootl
and nail and probably defeated b,
counsel for the combines who gath
er like flies about the room in whicl
the commission meets. But it i
easy money to put an increased rat
over the general consumer, becaus
he isn't present to encounter objec
ton, nor is anyone there to ente
objection for him.
The interstate commerce commits
J sion declares it represents no on
in particular, but sits as judicia
body wholly. The result is that il
many, many instances the case goe
against the consumer by default.
Weather Was Clear.
When the results of the Vernon
election showed a 81 per cent sluml
in the Republican vote, the Repub
lican leaders in Washington de.