The San Francisco call., 1910-01-01
Review of a Year Of
Notable Achievement

national. The exploterS are insignificant III point
of numbers, but by reason of their wealth are
able to exercise powerful influence on congress.
During the year strong "insurgent' move
ment developed within the republican party. This
insurgency finds its chief support in the middle
west and it is inspired chiefly by the domination
of congress by Senator Aldrich and Speaker Can
non who are best known attorneys tor the
interests This movement is so strongly backed
by public opinion all over the country that 1t
makes certain the retirement of Speaker Cannon
when the term Of the present congress expires.
The obvious inadequacy of the new tariff to
provide the revenue needed for the support OF
the federal government compelled congress to
levy tax on the net profits of corporations which
is expected to pay $25,OO0,OO0 annually to the
treasury This measure reluctantly adopted
in the way of compromise by congress as an
alternative to the more unwelcome expedlent OF
an income tax-nore unwelcome, that IS, to the
interests that have dominated the present congress
under the leadership of~Aldrich and Cannon This
new tax will be strenuously fought in the courts
on the contention that it is unconstitutional. AS
part of the same compromise congress at the
presidents suggestion submitted for ratification
or rejection by the several state legislatures an
amendment to the national constitution specifically
authorizing the levy OF income tax.
Labor strikes during the year have not been
limits The most extensive strike was that of
the switchmen on northwestern railways and this
appears to be in the way of adjustment The
most important controversy affecting labor is
that arising from the Bucks stove and range case,
III pursuance of which Samuel Gompers John
Mitchell and Secretary Morrison were sentenced
to Imprisonment for contempt of court. The con-
troversy involves the legal status of the boycott
and the rights of free speech and the liberty of
printing. 1t will be taken to the court of last
resort.
In the European field the year notable for
the strange war scare that prevailed i'll England,
and the remarkable budget proposed by the
chancellor of the exchequer, Mr.. Lloyd George,
and adopted by large majority of the house of
commons. The subsequent rejection of the meas
ure by the house of lords was regarded revou-
tonary of the traditions of the British constitution
which prescribe that the peers shall have sno
power to reject or amend money bills. AS re-
suit the United Kingdom is engaged in a
political campaign for general election at which
the issues will be the adoption of the budget and
a more definite limitation of the powers of the
hereditary chamber
The budget so rejected made radical departure
by imposing taxes on the unearned increment of
land and because the peers are the most extensive
land owners their hostility the measure is easily
explained.
The budget grew naturally out of the war
scare that convulsed England for months The
scare was inspired by the ambitious naval pro-
gram of Germany, which was held to threaten
Britain's supremacy on sea. A deficit of S78-
100000 confronted the ministry and this was
mostly due to the burdens of militarism and the
maintenance OF the double power standard for
the navy. The peers were loudest in their demands
for and more battleships, but quite
unwilling to paw for them out Of their own
pockets.
Another form of distraction that aroused Eng
land was the aggressive agitation for woman
suffrage, in the court of which certain "suffrag-
cites" so called, were imprisoned for committing
assaults policemen and other government off
cals. 1t is difficult at this distance to estimate
what effect on public opinion this agitation has
produced.
A European event that attracted world wide
attention was the dethronement of Abdul Hamid
sultan of Turkey, and the installation of new
regime under the conduct of the young Turkish
party. In Persia the shah was driven from his
throne and his son put in his place. In both cases
the results were victories for the constitutional
government.
Many notable deaths occurred during the year.
Of these the most important In local sense was
that of Mr. Hartman, the head OF the great
Southern Pacific railroad system. Mr.. Hartman
a great railroad builder and was held in
kindly regard for the services he rendered San
Francisco after the fire.
Another death that affected large local interests
was that of George Croker, son of Charles
Croker, who was one of .'the big four that built
the first transcontinental railway. Mr. Crocker
bequeathed $1,0000O0 to be applied in researches
concerning the nature and cure of cancer
In the field of art and literature Ca1iforr;o