Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-28

the ground that continued revolutions
have robbed the toiler of an opportuni-
ty to follow his usual vocation and
lef; to him no occupation except that
of fighting his countrymen. He is
pretty tired of the war trade, particu-
lsrly as it must be pursued at the risk
of his own life.
Quite a different view of the situa-
ton is taken by some observers. who
hold that an even greater desertion
Of working men might prove bless
ing in disguise, for the effect on the
public mind would be an economic in
fluence in restoring tranquility in the
state.
A story is told of a well known
American mining man in Mexico,
whose foresight probably will save
him considerable money.
During the Mader0- revolution his
property was visited frequently by the
rebels, who forced him to contribute"
lavishly to the rebellion. For monies,
horses, provisions and other things
taken he was given the PROVISIONAL
receipts through the evidence of which
he was to be reimbursed when the
revolution triumphed.
Soon after the close of the first
revolution the mining man deposited
in the Office of the minister of finance
the receipts, which called for somN
$25, 900. He was assured that in due
time he would receive his money.
1t was not forthcoming, however
and several months later he called
again, whereupon he was told that I'M
fortunately the receipts which he had
presented had been lost, and the de
partment had no evidence that any
thing was due him. 1t was added that
if the receipts were found a full set
Element would be made.
But the claimant had provided fol
just this contingency, and the next
day he appeared at the Office of the
minister and deposited a new and
complete set of receipts. At the same
time he informed the Official that il
the second. lot was lost he could re
place them, as he had taken the pre-
caution to make so Photographs OF
each original receipt.
Owners of haciendas on which the
naguey plant from which pulque il
derived, threaten to abandon this croE
if President Madero insisted upon the
proposed measure to have the taxf'
on the milky beverage increased.
committee of haciendados recently
obtained from the president a promise
to give the bill further consideration
In addition TO the taxes now paid tC
the various state governments the
pulque growers already pay to the fed
eral government 100000 a year The
proposed tax would raise this income
$500, 900.
Pulque sold in the capital comes fol
the most part from the states of Pueb
la, Hidalgo and Tlaxcala. The plant
ers argue that since their properties
will produce little else, the cessation
Of maguey culture would result il
throwing thousands of men out of EN-
ployment in the country, in addition
TO the 1000 families in Mexico City
whose income is derived from tbs
local handling of the beverage. Othel
losers would be the railroads, Whose
daily freight charges are approximate
ly $1,000.
Calculations made at the depart
ment of war show thai since the be
ginning Of Madero's revolution in 1910
the infantry alone has used 100000 ,O0i
cartridges. Most Of these were bough
in Germany, though not small part
that for the 5000 riaes-came from
the United States. The cavalry ant
irregular forces have played as i'm
portant parts in the defense OF th'
government as the infantry, so that j
is estimated the total expenditures O
cartridges has not been less thai
6o0.000.000. General Huertas repor
OF the battle of Rellano states that h
used 100000 cartridges and $50
shells.