Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-12

Chicago, Dec. 12.-Colonel George
Harvey, editor OF Harper's Weekly,
in an address delivered at the La Sale
hotel, served notice on the manufac-
tUTers Of the middle west that they
must prepare themselves to submit to
important economic reforms during
the coming democratic administration
or become objects of suspicion by the
pUblic OF the whole country.
The occasion was the 18th annual
banquet of the Illinois Manufacturing
association at which the newly elected
president, Charles Piez, presided. More
than 200 men, representing millions
Of dollars OF investments in this state,
listened TO the speech and ap-
plauded it,
Colonel Harvey appeared to speak
as the oracle Of the progressive branch
of the democracy. In view of the
fact that neither the speaker or his
Journal have ever been regarded as
rampant radicals his remarks we're
signifctnt His language was chosen
for moderation, but he left no doubt
as 70 his meaning.
He began by repeating an excerpt
from an address which Senator Elihu
Root delivered a short time ago in
New York. In that speech the senator
declared there are thousands of people
in the United States who are firmly
Convinced the New York chamber OF
the manufacturers of the country are
no better than a set of confidence men
Whether or not this belief was I'M
founded. said the editor of Harper's,
made no difference. The point was
that the business interests of the coun-
try owed It to themselves to clear
themselves OF suspicion.
Colonel Harvey said in part:
1.-TWO weeks ago / heard Senator
Elihu Root utter these words TO the
chamber of commerce of the city of
New York:
There are hundreds Of thousands
OF people outside the great industrial
communities who think you are q den
of thieves. There are hundreds OF
OF thousands of people who think the
manufacturers Of the country are nc
better han a set of confidence men.
Such a statement from such 4;
source IS more than significant; 1t IL
startling II may be an exaggeratioI
or 10 may be an underestimate. 1t Is
possible The senator should have saic
millions instead of hundreds of thou
sands Whatever may be our judgment
in that regard it is idle 10 deny the
statement contains at least an element
OF fact
Let us assume for a moment tha
the popular belief thus stated with the
utmost seriousness by the distinguished
senator from New York is without sub
stantial foundation. Let us presuppose
as for one. at least, do sincerely holC
faith, that the great body Of manufac
tuners Of this country are not conf
dcuce men. are not tricksters, are no
destitute OF the attributes of eithel
honor or patrio ism What, then, has
given rise to this false, unjust, and ex
tremely harmful impression?
ITO my mind, the answer is boil
simple and plain. You American manu-
facturers have, unwittingly, no doubt
but tacitly, surely, permitted your
selves 20 suffer in public esteem from
fragrant misrepresentation l do no
mean by that wrongful Interpretation
of acts and motives by outsiders.
mean direct misrepresentation by mel
who have appeared before the Amer
can people as your spokesmen wi'hou
protest or Reputation from you.
What was the shining mark. tn
easy mark, for tariff reformers in tn
congressional elections OF 1910 whic
toreran the recent democratic victory
! do not need to tell you because 20
have reason 20 know better than |.
was the famOus-or should | say IL
famous schedule X and close upo
the heels Of schedule X was schedul
IT,
III stiN continues 20 be possible {
deceive all Of the people a part of tn
time and q part Of tL-r people'all of tn
time bu. when the president of tn
United States, who signed the bill, pre-
uouuOgd the new duties on wooden maj
Ufa,turcs indefensible. the time fc
effective foOling ceased abruptly.
There was something that the pc,