Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1914-01-09
1918 A RECORD YEAR
SHORT RESUME OF THE MANY
CHANGES THAT TOOK PLACE
IN THIS COUNTRY.
MOST IMPORTANT IN LAST Is YEARS
While Volume Of Crops Was Far Be
low the Average Their Value
Totaled Nearly 100000
100000 Mark.

The twelve months of 1913 wrought
changes in the American government
political, economical, financial
probably more far-reaching than any
other year of the last quarter century
This is made apparent in back
ward glance over the memorable
events of the last year in all branches
of governmental activity.
A democratic administration in ma
tional affairs came to power in this
II months with democratic president
and a democratic congress at his back
for the first time since Grover Cleve-
land occupied the White House. The
first constitutional amendment since
1870 were perfected, providing cwo
radical changes In the fundamentals
of government-an income tax and the
direct election of United States SEN
atOrs
| The national bank and currency sys-
tenn, designed to float the debt of the
civil war, and which has operated ever
since, was reorganized into a federal
reserve system in which the central
bank plan, the dominant system of
Europe, was rejected and a financial
reorganization perfected.
A democratic tariff law became eff
fective, the first since the Wilson bill
of 1893, and one of the most compre-
hensive tariff measures ever enacted.
"A parcel post system was brought
into successful operation and some of
it's rates were later reduced, while GER
tain limitations were extended.
The interstate commerce commits
sion began physical valuation of rail
ways-a project which will cost mil
lions and take years to complete, but
which is expected ultimately to pro-
vide basis of rate making.
r. r. Rates Investigated.
Meanwhile the So great eastern rail
way systems renewed application at
once for 5 per cent general increase
in freight rates and the commission
directed regulations in express rates
which are expected to save the public
approximately $3O,O00,OO0 year.
Last steps in building the Panama
canal were taken with the probability
that the greatest engineering project
Of the age will be in operation in the
new year.
Virtual control of the Philippine
government was delivered to the ma
tives of the islands by President Will
sons appointment of a native major
ity in the Philippine commission.
What promised new era in rela-
lions of the government with great
corporations in the enforcement of the
Sherman antitrust law was brought
about by the "bloodless" dissolution
Of the American Telephone and Tele-
crap company's relations with the
Western Union. President Wilson's
open declaration that the administra-
ton desired to cooperate with "big
business" in a peaceful administration
of the law was received in business
and financial circles with evidences
of optimism.
Supreme Court Decisions.
The supreme court laid down sew
eral declarations of deep rooted i'm
portance. 1t decided that owners Of
copyrights and patents may not con-
troll the price at which retail dealers
resell their products to the consumer.
1t sustained the validity of the Sher-
man law as a criminal measure for
the first time in the turpentine trust.
In the cotton corner case it laid down
the principle that a corner" in any
commodity was violation of the anti
trust laws. In the state rate cases 1t
decided that states through their rail-
road commissions have control over
the rates of lines within their borders.
irrespective of the interstate CON-
merce commission.
In foreign relations affairs of the
year were hardly less eventful. Sec
rotary Bryan's purpose for interna-
tional peace was accepted in principle
by more than 30 nations, and treaties
with the United States actually were
signed by The Netherlands and Mica
ragua.
Foreign Policy Established.
The most important announcements
vi OiCiSH pOICy WCAC houC W iCoA'
dent Wilson when he withdrew the
support of the United States from the
bankers six-power Chinese loan; in
his Latin-American statement. in
which he proclaimed the intention of
the United States to recognize on the
western hemisphere only those gov.
ernments founded on law and order;
in his now noted Mobile speech, in
which he pointed out the menace OF
foreign concessions to the peace and
security of Central and South Amer.
lea.
Relations with Mexico-the Ameri.
can governments refusal to recognize
Huerta and spirited exchange of
notes on the subject were the diplo.
matte events of the year.
Great Britain's protest against the
exemption of American shipping from
tolls In the Panama canal and Japan's
protest against the anti-alien land leg.
islation in California were the two
other principal features. They still
are in the course of diplomatic discus