The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-02-29
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
(By Charles H. Tavener, special
Washington correspondent of The
Reporter.) .''''~ - -

Washington correspondent of The
Reporter.) '''''r ~, #7.s ~
Washington. Feb. 24.-The bust
ness being done by the railroads.
steel mills, manufacturers and banks
of the country at the present time Is
considerable in advance OF that of
year ago.
And business men in general are
preparing for improvements and ex-
tensions. Financial arrangements
have recently been made by several
railroads for raising $9O,000,0O0 to
be used in extensions. The Erie rail-
road plans to expend $10,O0O,0OO in
the next ten years for completing the
double-tracking of it's main line be-
tween New York and Chicago. The
Achison is raising $50,00O,000 for
new work and equipment, and other
companies are preparing to put
smaller amounts into improvements.
This is after a democratic house
has been at work year, and on the
eve of democratic presidential VIC
tory, does not look as If business in
terests were standing still, or had any
fear of a democratic president. AS
a matter of fact, the business men OF
the country know that democratic
administration would not harm any
legitimate industry. The leaders OF
the democratic house have proven
as safe and sane business
men as any republican leaders ever
were.
The gross earning of the railroads
for the first week of February were
|9.81 per cent better than year ago.
For the fourth week of January the
reports from forty-four roads indi-
cate a gain over last year of 1927
per cent. Reports for December show
an increase of net earnings over De-
|cember, 1910, of no less than 1888
per cent.
Bank clearings last week were bet
ter than year ago.
Foreign trade in January was very
large. The exports exceeded those
of any preceding January except in
1905, and the imports were larger
than for any preceding month with
la single exception.
In other words, the prediction
forecasts of the standpat republicans
to the end that the stagnation of
business would Immediately follow
the election of a democratic house,
are not being fulfilled. While it is
true that some of the illegal trusts
which have been thrOttling compe-
tition and boosting the prices of the
|necessaries of life are not particular
lily enamored with democratic pro-
cedure, legitimate business = under
stands thoroughly that it has moth
ing to fear from democratic ascend
ency, and welcome it.
Protection VS.. Tariff For
Revenue.
Workmen of Germany are "pro-
tected" by tariff wall approximate
ly as high as the Payne-Aldrich tar
lift wall. In England the workers
are not so protected.
Result: Bricklayers in free-trade
England receive 1912 per week of
|52h hours, while the protected
|bricklayers of Interpretation Ger
many receive $3.50 per week of SO
hours.
Here are a few comparisons which
tell their own story:
Eng. Germ.
Carpenters, per week. 1914 $3.50
Filters, per week go. S.64 1853
Compositors, per week 1872 900
Plumbers, per week :. 9.54 SIS
And the cost of living is much
higher in Germany than in England!
LaFollette Not Ditched.
There has been in existence a gen
eral conspiracy all over the east
seeking to make the people of the
country believe that Senator LaFol-
lite is out of the race for the nomin-
alton for President. The conspiracy
was pretty largely successful, be-
cause many people believe LaFollette
has quit. Senator LaFollette is not
that kind, however. He will go
down fighting, if necessary, but he
will not ruin up the white flag.
The following extracts of tele-
gram sent by Senator LaFollette per-
sonally to North Dakota republicans
shows where the Wisconsin senator
stands. on the subject of laying
down..
"The report that l have withdrawn
as candidate is false, and the state
ments regarding my health are gross
Misrepresentation. They are part
of the pressure brought to bear to
force me from the contest, which l
willingly undertook at time when
no one else could be induced to make
the fight.
want delegates who are ready to
win, or lose if need be, in the interest
of a great cause. Let me through
you assure the voters of North Da-
kota that I shall as always keep
faith with them, and shall remain a
candidate steadfast to the end"
Juggling the Figures.
Here is a business secret: If you are
running your concern at big loss,
but wish to make the figures show a
big surplus, simply put off paying
heavy bills until after the reports of
the receipts and expenditures are
made up for the year.
This is the system ny which Post
master General Hitchcock put the
postoffice on paying basis" &C.
cording to charges made by w. D.
Brown, formerly government aud
|itor, whose expose of the situation is
so obviously true Mr.. Hitchcock has