Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-11-25
TROUBLE IN SIGHT?

Henry Clews, New York City's great
financial expert has the following to
say regarding the effect the tariff and
the general attitude Of the democratic
administration are having on business
conditions:
1.-THE cotton and wooden industries
are feeling its effects most severely.
Quite number of our cotton mills are
being hard hit by the increasing or
ders placed for foreign fabrics, and
the WOODEN industry is in even worse
condition. it being estimated that
nearly one-half of the WOODEN mills in
the country are idle, and that some OF
them will never be able to start again
in competition with foreign goods.
Our textile industries are further en-
barrassed by the high cost OF raw
materials; and the demands OF $4,000
GENERATORS in Fall River for an advance
in wages at this time is exceedingly
inopportune, showing as 1t does a
failure on the part Of labor leaders to
recognize depressing economic con-
ditions.
"Perhaps the most discouragng OF
all Influences is the indiscriminate at
titude of hostility at Washington and
in many state capitols toward capital
and business in general. 1t seems
impossible for legitimate business in
terests to secure fair hearing in our
legislatures; and In one form or an
other big business is being constantly
struck at injuriously by all sorts OF
legislative devices. such as harsh rate
regulations. repressive laws. oppres-
sive taxes, etc. If continued, such
tactics will drive capital into hiding,
or out of the country, to the detrfment
OF capital and labor alike. What is
now more wanted than anything else
is sanity at Washington and less pre-
1udice against capital and big bust
ness. Otherwise the initiative in gen.
eral business, which is now sadly wan
Ing, will not again revive until the
next congressional election has re-
yersed the pernicious influences against
which industry is now contending.
Unless the rule of reason supersedes
the present rule of prejudice there
will be a furthr business depression
before very long and many hands will
lose employment. For this our varl-
GUS legislatures will be held respon-
sible by the voters a year hence
There Is no mistake about which way
the political winds will blow ere long
without general business conditions
soon change for the better
Senator Kenyon of Iowa, the orlgl-
nal "antifree seed" man in congress
has gained supporter in Secretary
Houston Of the department of agri-
culture.
Secretary Houston has recommend
ed that the distribution if ordinary
vegetable and flower seeds by CON
gress to be- discontinued. The cost of
the seeds has amounted to more than
100000 annually and the cost of car
rying them through the mails to al
most as much.
In response to a resolution passed
by the senate on Senator kenyon's
urging last congress. former Post
master General Hitchcock declared
the deficit in his department was
represented by just about the expense
incidental to the hauling of congress-
ional seeds and campaign documents.
A wall has been let out on capitol
hill already. Secretary Houston Is
threatened with reduced appropriation
for his department If he fights the
congressional seed distribution. The
secretary, however apparently has
determined to take the bull by the
horns and he doesn't intend to burden
his department with any seed work in
the future that is purely political and
not at all scientific.
He will ask that part Of the con-
gressional seed money be devoted to
the distribution of new and valuable
seeds and plants, including forage
crop seeds, which may help in the bat
tie against the cost Of living.
BREAKS ANOTHER PRECEDENT.
There will be no New Years recep-