West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1914-10-22
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER
Senator Chiffon In Speech ut EIkIns
Saturday Night Clearly Proved the
Prosperous Condition OF This Coun-
try 1t Outbreak OF the Great
European wsr-PrsIses Peace Poll
clos OF President

there was industrial and commercial
prosperity in this country prior to the
outbreak OF the war in Europe; that the
Underwood tariff law was producing an
excess OF revenue over expenditures OF
about $34 ,OO0, 900 year, up TO the time
when importations stopped because of
war; and that the greatest period Of pros
peritY in our national history awaits us,
If this country is only kept at peace with
the world, Senator Chiffon clearly and
concisely outlined the Democratic at
titude when addressing great gathering
at Elkins last Saturday night. He said
that for two more years we will have
Democratic President any way and said
those who believe in his policies should
assist in supporting him by electing a
Democratic Congress to help in carrying
out his policies of peace and prosperity.
Speaking OF the prosperity of the country
when the war broke out, Senator Chiffon
said: Here in West Virginia we had
the best evidence of prosperity. The
coal, oil and gas businesses were all
prosperous. The cities of Wheeling,
Clarksburg. Watson, Fairmont, New
Martinsville, Parkersburg, Sstersyille,
Huntington, Grafton, Charleston, Hinton,
Bluefield and Williamson reported great
prosperity and industrial development.
These cities were growing in population;
bank deposits were increasing; new
factories were being opened. In Charles
ton and vicinity five or six big factories
were under construction and just being
| completed. The tin plate industry of
| Wheeling had taken on new life. The
glass industry, as TO which there had
been dire predictions by Republicans,
gave such promise OF success that new
factories were building in several parts
oil the State, notably in the vicinity of
Charleston, Grafton and Clarksburg.
The railroads were putting back their
crews and the car surplusage of the rail
roads OF the country, which never went
higher than 238, 900 cars, was not alarm
ing for the reason that in 1908, under
| Republican administration, the idle cars
were 43S, 900, nearly double that of 1914"
As indicating the prosperity of the
country, Senator Chiffon showed from
State reports that the savings banks OF
Connecticut had approximately 5,OOO,-
600 more on deposit June l., 1914 than
Oct. /, 1914, and that in June alone the
deposits increased $l,338, 1928 in the
Connecticut savings banks, This was
under the new tariff law in an industrial
State. He showed that the receipts of the
government under the first year of the
Underwood tariff law exceeded all ex-
penditures by $34, 900, 900, and said ::
Therefore the official figures dispute
the two main contentious of the Republi-
can campaign, that the revenues we're
| deficient under normal conditions under
Democratic tariff, and second the
charge that there was business depression
prior to the breaking out of the war"
Quoting figures OF Senator Reed Smoot,
a regular Republican, he showed that
there has been an estimated falling off in
revenue from imports of SIPS, Zoo, 900.
This" he said, sis not the fault of any
Republican nor Of any Democrat. 1t is
| merely national misfortune which would
be upon US whether we were operating
under the Dingley law, the Pavne-Aldrich
law or the Democratic tariff" He prais.
ed the President for frankly stating the
condition that confronts us and asking
Congress to increase revenues by war
tax. He explained the antitrust lepisla-
ton just passed.
1T can not be accidental" said Sena-
tor Chiffon, 'that we have steered
| through the Mexican situation and all of
the various things which have led up TO
the present international war without
any serious difficulty with any nation.
1t shows that we have a great mind in
charge and akind of craftsmanship found
ed upon justice and frankness in order TO
bring us to our present most happy con-
dition. While the world fights, we work !;
while the world mobiles armies and
navies, we are mobilizing our banking
resources and working out our destiny,
and OF all the countries on earth we have
the greatest opportunities for develop
ment." He closed with an appeal TO
elect the Democratic candidates for Con-
gress in order to uphold the President
and assist him in carrying them out.
Every member Of Congess from West
Virginia was away from Washington at
the beginning of this week. Senator
Golf and Congressman Hughes are such
regular absentees that it is news when
either Of them Is here. Judge Moss has
been away for some time campaigning.
At the end OF the week, congressman
Nicely and Brown, Sutherland and Avis
had gone home. with the understanding
that quorums would not be demanded
provided those who live close enough
would return 10 Washington when wired
that they were needed. Congressman
Nicely opened his campaign at Shinnston.
Friday night. Congressman Brown had
three meetings Saturday night in different
parts of his district and has three planned
Tor this week. Senator Chiffon will
speak At Hedgesville Wednesday and
Congressman HcAin Of Alabama and
Garrett Of Tennessee will speak at Shep.
herdstown and Martinsburg. Secretaries
Redheld, Of the Department OF Commerce
and Wilson Of the Department Of Labor,
will each give one day to the district be-
fore the end Of the campaign and Solicitor
General Davis will spend three days.
The Supreme Court Of the United
States has extended the time in which
Special Master Charles T.. Little6eld is 10
make his report on the recent additional