The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1912-03-21

uOl htDl paw Will INC iloc III Tic COSI
of food supplies. This disproportion
in many cases is SO marked as to be
startling.
The information collected and col.
lated by the department of state is
comprehensive and is a permanent
contribution to the history of the ef-
forts of producers and consumers, but
more especially Of consumers, to solve
for themselves the economic problems
of production, distribution, and cor.
sumption. If the cooperative associa-
tions which have been in existence
for half. a century and more have not
been able to determine the funda-
mental causes of the increased cost of
living or to retard the advance, the
student of social progress at least
may derive instruction from the ac-
count of the associations and their
influence on the well being of their
members.
Case for Experiment.
How far the system of cooperative
organization which fiourishes in vari-
Gus European countries may be adapt
ed to our highly organized and indi-
~vidualistic social organization may
perhaps only be determined by ex-
pertinent and in any case the expert
ment must be of a voluntary charac-
ter. The practical information con-
tanned in the reports of the consular
officers undoubtedly will be of much
Ual1n RI thnua xyhn orn 1aalyfn1 tn
work out this problem for themselves
by e of similar associations.
In my message Of February 2, / rec
commended an international commits
sion to look into the cause for the
high prices of the necessities Of life
and the possible remedies. Should
such a commission be authorized b.
congress the relation of the co-opera-
tive societies to this subject would be
of great interest and the reports Of
the consular officers would have ad.
ditional utility.
VIM. H. TAFT.
Washington, d. C.-The bill for
the government of the Panama canal
zone and the operation Of the canal
was agreed to by the house commit
tee on interstate commerce. 1t would
give to the president authority to fix
tolls within certain limitations, a max
imum of SIPS a ton being prescribed
with a minimum not below an amount
sufficient to maintain and operate the
canal. No preference would be CIV
en- to American ships.
The bill would authorize the presi-
dent to open and operate the canal and
to make rules for the government Of
the canal and fxe the tolls.
Prohibition Clauses.
The prohibition clauses, summarize
ed, include:
That 1t shall be unlawful for ships
to pass through the canal which are
owned, leased, operated or controlled
by any railroad company engaged in
interstate commerce or by any other
corporation in which such railroad
company has any interest whatsoever,
or by any other person, association
or corporation with intent to restrain
or prevent, or with the effect of re-
straining or prevention of COMPETE
ton through the Panama canal, either
between ships, ship lines and ship
companies. OF between ships, ship
lines or ship companies and rail.
roads,"
That II shall be unlawful for any
ship to pass through the canal IL the
owner shall be engaged in any agree
ment, combination, ship ring or con.
ference with intent to restrain or pre-
vent, or with the effect of restraining
or preventing competition through
the Panama canal among ships, ship
lines or ship companies, or between
railroads and such ships, ship lines
or ship companies"
The bill would establish one United
States district Judge with magistrates
and bailiffs in the various towns
throughout the zone and would pro-
vide jury trial on demand in all GRIM
inal cases and cases at law. The dis
trict court would have appellate jur.
isdiction with the circuit court Of APP
peals at New Orleans. Extradition of
criminals also would be provided.
Curtailment of the Democratic tar
iff revision program with a view to
speeding up" congress to permit adj
journment before the national conven-
tons Is now the expressed aim of the
Democratic majority In the house. Re-
publicans and Democrats in the SEN
ate and house are chatting over delay
in actual legislation that threatens to
crowd congress later on. Democratic
Leader Underwood of the house, chair
man of the ways and means commit
tee. indicated that the wool tariff re-
vision bill. which is to be reported
probably within ten days. will be the
last Of the revision measures at this
session Of congress.
Agricultural Bill 10 Passed.
The second flibuster within four