Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1910-05-19
PENToN's PAINFUL PATRIOTISM.

PENTON's PAINFUL PATRIOTISM.
"The investigation of the Merchant
Marine League has developed some
ludicrous facts-and others that are
not so humorous. President Penton,
of the League Of which the American
Flag is the mouthpiece waxed elo-
quent when on the witness stand in
regard to his patriotism. He firmly
worshipped the flag and would grovel
In the dust rather than have the flag
tainted in any way or disgraced. For
thoroughbred patriotism and love of
the stars and stripes, Penton was a
real wonder-the real Simon pure
article. What a shame that it de-
veloped that with all this great meas
ure of patriotism and devotion Penton
had to admit on the witness stand
that he was not even a citizen of
the United States-was still subject
of King Edward of England. Oh such
devotion to the interests of the United
States and such unselfsh love of the
flag! Should not his every act be
upheld as that of a disinterested pa
triot without the Inconvenience and
humiliation of an Investigation?
The investigation of the Merchant
Marine League has developed further
that seven of the fifteen members of
it's executive committee are owners
of iron mines in the Lake Superior
region. The other eight are engaged
in the transportation of iron ore on
the lake or in rolling mills of kindred
branches which deal with the market
ing of the metal. The Humphrey bill,
backed by the League, raises from
G to IL cents the tonnage tax on int
ported iron ore, with few notable
exceptions. These exceptions include
Cuba, where ore beds are owned and
developed by the Bethlehem Steel
Company and the Pennsylvania Steel
Company. 1t is said that the United
States Steel corporation also owns
undeveloped beds of ore in Cuba.
This six per cent raise on ore inl-
ported from these countries only
where the steel corporations have no
holdings, helps materially to make up
for the reduction of duty on ore from
40 to Is cents a ton in the new tariff
act. Thus ,Qne of the few attempts
to stop he huge trust gains is sought
to be negatived. .:
The first section of the Humphrey
bill reported by the house committee
January oath, provides that subsidy
shall be paid by American steam yes.
sells, between the United States and
the Philippines and other parts III a
1000 mile radius. The second sec
tion provides that a tonnage of II
cents a ton be charged on every entry
of any vessel from foreign ports into
the United States irrespective of ma
tionality, except when the vessels ply
between the United States and the
West Indies, Newfoundland, Bermuda
the Bahamas, Central America and
Caribbean sea ports. Under Payne
Aldrich and the Dingley tariff bills
vessel entering the United States pay
six cents ton. If the Humphrey
bill is passed, boats carrying such
cargoes as silk or valuables will MOI
notice the double rate, but in the
case of metal cargoes the tonnage ia,
| of IL cents will be an item of con
trolling Importance. The result viii
be cessation of importation of suct
articles as ore to the benefit of the
steel trust and it's allies. The Mer
chant Marine League claims to be {
patriotic organization, whose devotion
to the cause of the country's welfare
and prosperity has been the only rea
son for it's existence, but evidently
Congressman Steenerson has priet
off the lid and exposed to the public
gaze another scheme by which th'
big corporation hoped to. pick tn,
pockets Of the people, and that to,
under the cloak of patriotism and /.
loud and persistent hurrah for th'
American flag, etc. It would almos
seem as though something's ought t,
be too sacred to be used for the Gov
ering up of attempts to rob the public
but it seems not to be with thos'
people. All they care for the Amer
can flag is when there is an appro
priation wrapped up In it. Througl
his exposure Of this Organization
Congressman Steenerson is gaining
! national reputation, and is being tall
los Inr,o,, %I,o