The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-04-24
FOOD TRUST MAY
EASE UP ON PRICES
For Effect It Will Have on
Congressional Elections
MR.. TAFT'S HUMAN SIDE
Cuts Out Speaking Engagement Mt In
dianapoIis to Please Mrs. Taft
and Attend Garden Party.
Not Frightened on
[R. TAFT'S HUMAN SIDE
BY JONATHAN WINFIELD

BY JONATHAN WINFIELD
Washington, April 2S.-(special)- Cheer
up ultimate consumers. The butcher,
tire baker and the candlestick maker,
whc furnish the necessities of life intend
to reduce prices.
At least this is the cheering prophecy
of the republican political sages who are
figuring on a retention of the control of
tho hoe of representatives of the end
congress.
Briefly, this is the way the situation
is being figured. The ultimate consum-
ers. who even in the days of Rome's
supremacy and before the first infant
trust became a reality were referred to
as the 'popuace1 is fretful, even peev-
ish owing to the way the food and nee
essities of life trusts have run up prices
for shelter food and clothing. The re-
publican party at the helm through tar
iff legislation, is responsible, the poiti-
clans say. Congress, especially the
senate end. under the leadership of Sen
ator Lodge of Massachusetts, has been
politically inquiring into the tricky ways
of the food "barons." About all congress
can do is to limit the time food products
shall be kept in cold storage.
The food "barons," so the story runs,
arc not at all anxious for a change in
the political supremacy in the house.
Therefore in September, or perhaps in
August. there is TO De a general drop in
the cost of food. Until the congressional
elections in November the salary of the
workingman Will stretch farther In the
direction of the purchase of food After
election-well that may be another story.
The republican congressional member
! who was figuring out the situation, said
"A democratic house would be a social
list house, so far as the moneyed interests
are concerned. Therefore the moneyed
interests behind the food trusts will see
the wisdom of letting up on the squeeze
when the election is on for the good effect
it will have on the country at large in
making friends for the republican con-
gressional candidates.
There is a great human side to William
Howard Taft, president of the United
States, and it is well shown in the story
OF the real reason why Indianapolis was
stricken from the list of cities the pres
ident is to visit when he goes to the
middle west the first week in May.
Indianapolis was on the itinerary, as
was New York City. President Taft had
eridge attacking the Payne tariff law,
a measure which the president is defend
ing and pointing to with PRIDE Buff
falo was the first place on the list; then
came Pittsburg for a two-days' stay;
Cincinnati for visit Of the same length;
one day in ST. Louis, before the day in
Indianapolis and then the return to
Washington via New York City. 1t was
a nine-day trip, as planned.
Mrs. Taft has decided upon a garden
party for early in May it is said She
has been thinking and planning all win
ter for the event The date she set, how
ever no other being advisable owing to
engagements, brought the garden party
into conflict with the middle west trip of
the president.
President Taft, in discussing the polt-
ical hubbub raised by his announcement
that he would not tarry in Indiana, said
that his wife was in anything but good
health; that his attending her party
would please her greatly and that pleas
ing his wife was always his first con-
sideration. Accordingly he has changed
his program SO that when he leaves here
on April so he will spend one day in Buff
falo and one day each in Pittsburg, Gin
cinnati and st. Louis, returning from the
latter city direct.
Lee McClung treasurer of the United
government with the hope of bringing
about a speedy settlement with the states
of Tennessee, North Carolina and Louis
lana of the financial differences that
have existed between the three states and
the federal government for many years.
The trouble dates back to before the
civil war. when the federal government
invested Indian trust funds in state
bonds. In all, seven states received part
OF these funds, giving state bonds as Sc
curity Four of them, Virginia, Arkan-
sas South Carolina and Florida nave long
ago settled their score.
Treasurer McClung finds that the end
less task of keeping books on these
claims is useless labor and congress is to
he petitioned to compel 4he states to get
busy and liquidate. Treble is expected
for the three states have claims against
the government and the claims can only
be settled through negotiation. The
treasurer holds state bonds of Florida TO
the amount of $4,000 security for Indian
funds loaned and bonds to the value or
s545 $50 captured by union troops In
Shreveport. There are s5s,o00 worth of
North Carolina and 1895, 6S6.66 of Ten
nessee bonds also In his possession.
Bonds of Louisiana to the value OF
"a 600 600 were captured by the union
soldiers at Shreveport. All but the
amount named were returned after the
to the riSnIIul OWuSls' WIN pioNcu
ownership In 1898 congress directed the
government to negotiate with Tennessee
with the hope of securing a settlement
The state officials and the commission
representing the government being I'M
able to agree, there was no settlement.
Robert l. Aitlxin, a New York sculptor,
formerly of San Francisco who is MAX
inc a bust of President Taft for the Met
ropolitan Museum of Art in New York
Citv and the Corcoran Art gallery In
Washington, is possessed it is humor-
ously remarked, of more inside infor-
nation on national affairs at present
than any other man in the country not
IN the inner circle of the administration.
the past week he has been fitting
ore than three feet from President
when the latter has been at his
in his office. working on the clay
Il of the president which is to guide
M in carving the marble busts. Pres
lient Taft and his callers have not heed
ed the sculptor and on cabinet, day Mr..
Aitken did not desist from his work while
the cabinet was in session.
President Taft is interested in the
sculptor's progress and has constantly
watched the artist at his work.
What effect will Rosevelt-Rome incl
- - 80 ,,Dop tho "a tho1ic voters al the