The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-17
FROM OTHER PENS
AN INoUIRYlwoRrH- MAKING.

AN INQUIRY WORTH MAKING.
One feature of9tte program adopted
by the senate committee appointed to
investigate the cost OF foodstuffs is
particularly commendable. 1t consists
of an order issued by the secretary of
state at the request of the committee
to all American consuis in Europe di-
recting each Of them to compile and
forward to Washington statistics show
ing the cost of living in his district
in 1910 as compared with 1909. The
statistics required will cover the price
of food. rent, clothing and other
necessary expenses, and must summar-
ize the results of an investigation
made by the consul personally in each
case.
The result of this inquiry should
several reasons. In the first place, it
is freely charged that the rising scale
of food prices here in the United States
is due in great degree to the new tar
iff.. If there is any truth in that charge
it is worth finding out. In the next
place the inquiry will help to show
the difference, if there is any, between
retail prices on American products
here and in the markets of Europe. It
is often asserted that foodstuffs pro-
duced in the United States are sold
abroad at lower prices than American
consumers have to pay That point is
worth clearing up.-New York Mail.
WHAT KNOX GAINED.
There is tendency to condemn the
secretary of state because Russia and
Japan declined SO heatedly to agree
with the proposal to have the powers
guarantee the neutrality of the Man
ci1urian railroads. We suspect that the
administration does not feel in the least
rebuffed- 1t obtained that which it
desired-a showing of hands.
Japan plays the old game of di-
plomacy. This is to conceal intention
and policies in fog of suavity and
times that it had no territorial ambi-
ton in Manc 1uria- The door was to
be kept open. The railroads were no
no more than commercial enterprises.
in the countr.- and japanese merchants
were founding branch houses and
agencies, they did SO entirely upon
their own risk and with no more en-
than would be given by any nation to
those who increase her trade. The
Knox note caused display of the true
policy. Japan is trying to get as much
whether Chinese rights or treaty
pledges give countenance or not.
Russian ambition is disclosed The
hope Of Recommending the territory
lost has not been given up. St. Pet
ersburg still behoIds the necessity for
open water .larbor in Eastern Asia. in
order that Siberia may attain the full
est development possible. = Toledo
Blade.
SENATOR DAVIS AND HIS FEE.
BY his own language before the
house committee on public lands SEN
ator Davis on Arkansas is in conflict
with that section of the United States
criminal code which forbids any mem
Der of congress 'to receive or agree to
receive any money, property or other
valuable consideration for his atten-
ton or services with regard to any
matter or question before congress or
any of its committees. OF course, the
Arkansas fire eater may not have vio-
lated that statute, but upon his own
statement of the case he has been very
active in behalf of a bill which will
benefit a client of his.
A pursuer # the Money Devil must |
needs keep up at least an appearance
of disinterestedness, and it will prove
difficult for MI. Davis to shout with his
accustomed vigor when others may |
think that he, too, is one of the Devil'S |
familiars- If the senator's naive self |
revelation does not get him into trouble |
with the statutes. perhaps it will help
to keep him from returning to WASH |
ington when his present term is over. |
Indeed, there are already hopeful in |
dications that Arkansas is tired of him. |
New York Tribune.