Abilene weekly reflector., 1912-08-08
S:. H:as . :;;ss... 6; ss: HODGE BROS.
Abilene, Kansas

as the Tarmer leaves cooperative 40 |
tivities with their proht-sharing Ia
the city man OF business. 30 long will
the foundations OF wealth be under
mined and the comforts of enlighten
ment be impossible In the country
communities"
The Tariff.
On the tariff he said: 81 believe in
q protective tariff. but ! believe In It
as a principle approached from
standpoint Of the interests OF the
whole people, and not as a bundle OF
preferences to be given favorite indi-
viduals. It is not merely the tariff that
should be revised, but the method OF
tariff-making and of tariff administra-
ton" "The first steps should be the
creation of a permanent commission
Of non-partisan experts" OF ample
powers" to secure exact and reliable
information" This commission must
scientifically determine "the difference
In the cost Of production here ana
abroad" the effect on prices to the
consumer" insure full Justice to the
pay envelope of the wage-earner, The
commission must not attempt to en-
croach on the tariff-making power OF
congress. 1t shall report with full pub
licity and promptly. The tariff shall
be revised schedule by schedule to
avoid the staggering blows to bust
ness" incident to former general re-
visions. The effect will be to wipe out
the ''log.rolling and vote-trading" Sc
cured by special interests in the past
High Cost Of Living.
"The cost of living" said Mr.. Roose-
velt, has risen during the last few
years out of all proportion to the IN.
crease of most salaries and wages.
What Is first necessary is fearless,
intelligent, and searching inquiry into
the whole subject, made absolutely by
a non-partisan body Of experts with no
prejudice to warp their mind, no pri
vate object to serve. who shall recon-
mend any necessary remedy needless
. of what interest may be hurt thereby,
and caring only for the interests OF
the people as a whole" The RepuD
licans promise such an inquiry, but
their rank dishonesty Of action at the
Chicago convention makes their ev'
cry promise worthless" 1t Is hopeless
to turn to the Democratic party for re-
lief because first the Democratic par
ty affects to find the entire hign COST
OF living in the tariff ignoring the
patent fact that the problem Is world
wide, equally pressing In free'trade
England and in highly protected Ger
many. Moreover, II the Democrats
are sincere they must take all duties
of the products Of the farmer, ana we
certainly cannot afford to have the
farmer struck down" Various ele'
ments, economic, political. and social
J were pointed out by Mr.. Roosevelt as
contributing to the high cost OF living
! But effective legislation regarding II
. can only be framed on comprehen-
sive scale after a thorough, scientific
: and prompt inquiry.
The Currency.
: Mr.. Roosevelt declared that our
present bank currency based on gov
: ernment bonds 10 unscienttfc ano
urged the adoption Of system which
: shall provide elasticity in the credit
and currency necessary for the con
duct of business, free from recurring
j, psnics." The control of such. e..sys
tenn should be In The 'hafIds Of the gov
, ernment. and must be free from mani
pulation by Wall street or the large IN
terests."
Conservation.
Under this head Mr.. Roosevelt rear
frmed his well-known policy on tn<
conservation and reclamation OF ma
tional resources. We must conserve
our soil, our forests. our Mines no
only for our own benefit but for tht
benefit OF our children and descend
ants. "The public should not alienat'
: its fee in the water-power which VII
= be Of incalculable value as a source o
mower in the immediate future" an'
4 "we should undertake the compiled
development and control Of the Missia
4 aiDDt as national work. Just as W
have undertaken the work Of building
the Panama canal"
Alaska.
p an Alaska the government has q
+ opportunity Of starting in what Is q
most fresh neld 70 work out various
problems by actual experiment" !
ehould at once construct. own, and OF
crate ali the railways in Alasks; !
should keep the fee Of all coal-neid
ana allow them TO be operated BY lei
I see with the condition in the leas
that non-use shall operate as tol
felt; q system Of land taxation Shoub
}. bo tried which promotes the actual us
Of land and discouFagos the holdinl
Of land for speculation; the telegrap
Iines should BE- owned and Opsrats
bY tho government.