Putnam patriot., 1911-09-01
Editorial Scraps

foolish insult offered by certain state grange officials to the President ef the United States. Grange No. II, Pa irons of Husbandry, of Wasbington,in this state, has gone on record AS hatly opposed to the action of those who have presumed to represent the order In their attitude towards President William IL. Taft in connection with his coming visit to the Connecticut Fair at Charter Oak Park. Numerous other granges have criticised the state officers for their action.
 The story that the Pennsylvania railroad has decided to lay of lO,00o to 10000 of its men is officially contra dieted as absolutely untrue-without the slightest foundation.o
 The state tax ought to be levied whether our expenses exceed our re- eeipts or not. 1t never ought to have been abolished, though nearly every body thought it's suspension great step forward. At the time that action was taken, Senator Hawley remarked that it was "a tremendous mistake"
 "Our markets aremeIancholy,' says London financial report. That only feebly expresses the momentaty state of the American market mind.
 If the Turks should now massacre some Armenians, or if the Russians should start a "pogram" against the Jews, America would culver with a sensation of horror. But in this bless ed land of civilization we have burned at the stake two human beings within a fortnight. Really, the Turks can hold their heads with us.
 It Is interesting and encouraging to note material development In the South, which has for so long been a backward section of the country, es- pecially in consideration of its wonder iul natural resources. It appears that 45 cities and ditowns in the two states are now securing their light and power from their plants, and over loo cotton mills, with 2,000, ,000Ispindles and 43,- GOO looms, are operated by the same power. The Southern power company which Is the parent corporation operat- ing these plants, was organized in l90o. Itnow has capitalization of Sll ,000,- GOO, and embodies 23 auxiliary com panies.
 John D. Rockefeller's feelings to- wards his country and fellow-men have evidently not been hardened by the court decree of dissolution against his Standard oil concern. Perhaps there is no particular reason why they should be. But in any case his fur ther gift Of 1000, 900 to medical re- search is notable act of humanitari- anism.
 Thomas A. Edison wants it under stood that he's no atheist, He told a "New York World reporter so at Geneva last week "All scientists, !" he said, "in getting nearer and nearer to the great first cause, feel that about
 
 play of an eternal mind" !"
 This years cranberry crop over Cape Cod way is said to be bigger than last year.
 Rumor Is circulating that the nation al association of railroad commissioners will recommend to Congress the ahol- ition of express companies or the re- quirement that the interstate railroads shall handle the express business themselves directly
 It Is disagreeable to find one road following another in announcing re- auctions of force and enforcement of rigid economies. It seems to be a common cry, If not one agreed upon. Possibly IL Is result of the distress ing outbreaks in England and Is made to let it be known in advance that the present condition of business will not permit the favorable consideration of demands fer further increases.
 It is the deep conviction of Secretary of Agriculture Wilson that the high cost of food products Is due 10 the agreed of numerous middlemenn; and in consequence the federal labor bu- reau is to make great inquiry into the prices of all foods extending over many months.
 In "The Wreck of the Thomas Hyke", Frank Stockton gave a vera cious account of marine disaster that staggered the blase clerk of wrecks. The ship in question sank by the stern but the air in the bow kept it aiioat in vertical position, and the survivors lived as in diving bell. A parallel adventure with the luxuries omitted befell Richaid Manello, young Brook lyn Italian, when the scow of which he was captain turned bottom up near Scotland lightship Friday. When the boat began 10 list he sought refuge in cabin, and enough air was confined there to keep him alive for hours.