Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1910-10-12
WHAT AILS IOWA
Cyrenus Cole, Cedar Rapids Editor,
Answers Query.
Des MOines Correspondent Reviews
Also Interstate Commerce Com
mission Hearing and Pure
Food Law Infringe
mentS.

: = SN
Des Moines, Ia, Oct. 11.-Cyrenus
Cole, the conservative editor OF the
Cedar Rapids Republican, whose
voice is recognized state wide as be-
ing unprejudiced has editorially tax
en- up the discussion of What Ails
Iowa?" After calling attention to
the fact that such old towns as
Schenectady have outstriped the
best that Iowa can offer, Mr.. Cole
says, 1.-The conclusion is that there
is something wrong, if not rotten in
Iowa. We lack something or other.
We must find out what that some
thing is and supply it, at whatever
cost.
We are all agreed on these points.
The Des Moines papers think that it
is lack of advertising. 1t cites
that Texas has been made by ad-
vertising, and what has Texas, with
it's vast semi-arid plains, to offer in
comparison with Iowa.
Yes, advertising will help. But
we need a more constructive spirit
at home. We have been too prone
TO tear down. If anyone starts any
thing, the other fellow is jealous of
him. If anyone in Iowa makes some
money, the other fellows are jealous
of him, and want to break him down.
We have commercial clubs that
spend their time fighting railroads,
instead of getting the railroads to
help Iowa. 1t is antagonism, all the
time.
We have an organization in this
state that openly. advocates a policy,
in freight rates, that will break down
every packing house we have in the
state, in favor of the Chicago trust
packers. Run the hogs into Chi
cago, instead of preparing them for
consumption in the cities OF Iowa.
Enrich Chicago, impoverish Iowa.
And a man running on that sort of a
platform is given the nomination for
railroad commissioner on the repub-
lican ticket. Down with Iowa, up
with Chicago.
We should a'so remind the Des
Moines papers that if Iowa had given
one-half of the effort to business
that it has given to politics during
the past ten years it would make a
different showing in the census. We
have devoted our energies to build
ing up politicians instead of cities.
The principle business Of the news
papers has been discussing politics
instead of business. To lead a fac
tional political fight and to make
demogogue speeches has been more
honored than the building of fac
tories. The politicians can get col
umns in the newspapers where the
men who operate factories get
lines"
Iowa is interested in the hear
ing of the Interstate Commerce
Commission which is now in session
in Washington, d. - said Chair
man David J. Palmer of the Iowa
Railway Commission in discussing
the present rate agitation.
"At this time the Commission is
hearing all individual commercial
organizations and railroad repre-
sentatives as may desire to appear
on the Interpretation of the amend
ments to Section 4 of the law cover
ing the long and short haul rates.
This is one of the most troublesome
questions that has arisen before the
commission. 1t is estimated by
members of the commission that
fully so per cent of all rates come
under or are in some way affected
by the new section 4. The law pro-
vides that all long and short haul
rates in force at the date of its pas
SdSC ohOuiu III iOiSS DIN
months. These rates will therefore
be subject to orers from the COM
mission after December IS. Upon
application to the commission rail
road, in special cases, may be auth
orized to charge less for longer
than for shorter haul, and it is
especially upon this feature of the
law which the commission desires
to hear suggestions before fixing
rule of practice. On October ~ the
commission will sit to hear the
presidents of the eastern trunk lines
concerning the proposed increase in
rates.
A further suspension of the pro-
posed increase in rates is forecast