The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1913-02-13
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL
- AIAA AAIl InnAn nc q 90

The plan of contests for championship
In corr growing has made a hit, and
new We have just had in VI national
Capital a great crowd of boys from
twenty-five states. The results which
each of the visiting boys have gotten
from their champion acre would-if
applied to the co~rngrowing area OF
the United States, multiply the corn
production OF the country five times.
The Agricultural Department has not
only given encouragement but has
shown every interest in the work of
these young men and boys, and it is
claimed that their work in scientific
seed selection, adequate fertilization
and intense tillage must be a revela-
ton and an inspiration to the average
farmer. The corn club idea is work
ing well in a number Of ways. 1t is
proving the greater possibilities OF
American soil, creating a spirit of
emulation or farm pride among farm
ers, and it is encouraging boys to stay
in the fields instead of seeking their
fortune and usually finding disappoint-
ment in the cities.
With Congressman William McKin-
ley of Illinois, retiring to private life,
and preparing for a trip around the
world, the congressional committee
of the republican party will have to
choose a new head. Mr.. Lloyd of Mis-
souri,, who has lead the democratic con-
gressional organization, also announces
that he will step down, and his resig-
nation will shortly be in the hands of
the committee. 1t used to be a fine
job in the olden days to manage these
committees, but with everyone now
directing where the campaign money
must come from, in order that none of
it shall be tainted" and with the
great supply cut off and it's contribu-
tors blacklisted, it Is child's play to
pilot n Of these committees; and the
chairman who does not find the ex-
pense greater than his income likely
has a different way of spelling his
name from the present chairman.
Attorney General Wickersham has
turned the entire problem concerning
the telephone trust" and the indie
pendents" over to the interstate COM
merce commission, with an invitation
to "go to it," The commission took
up the railroad rate problems, under
direction of congress, and later the
express and sleeping car questions,
with wonderfully beneficial results.
Mr.. Wickersham evidently believes
results justify intelligent direction
through the investigation and orders
of the commission rather than through
the sources of punishment that can be
reached by way of the office of at
torney general. In New York City
a business telephone with a service
limited to 600 calls costs $4S.0N a year.
In some portions of the country I'M
limited service is purchased as low as
$3.50 a month up.
Senator Root of New York, declares
that the honor of the nation is at
stake and that We must arbitrate the
Panama canal controversy with Eng
land. Judge O'Gorman, senator from
the same state says we are running
this thing" and don't have to arbi-
trate. The senate and the country is
becoming thoroughly divided over this
question.
The director of the census recon-
mends simplifed methods for taking
the next census. He would use the
mail carriers in the larger places.
Sure enough, and why not, since the
mail man knows every mothers son"
of us? Mr.. Durand would also have
less foolish questions so that the re-
ports could be simplified. Many vital
statistics" gathered by the last census
are not out yet-nor never will be. The
census cost $4,000, 900, and the most
Of it Is stored in junk piles in Wash.
ington. The statistics regarding news
papers for 1910 have never appeared,
and il they yer do they will be about
the same thing as is to be found in an
out-of-date newspaper directory. Other
instances without number could be
cited to prove the popular belief OF
Washington that most of the statistical
work of the census Is a huge joke.
The superintendent of public build.
ings stirred up something of a sensa'
ton when it became known that he
was about to commence some altera,
lions at the White House. The report
went out over the country that he was
going to raise the roof to accommo'
date the large Wilson family. 1t now
appears that Colonel Roosevelt raised
this roof high enough for all time,
and that the improvements contemplat.
"a ofmp1v Ohm IN rrf into coruioaohlo