The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-08-13

Exchange and made an added drain
on the nations gold supply. Presi-
ldent Wilson and Secretary McAdoo
promptly stepped into, the breech.
The banks were notified that the
$500, 900 issue of emergency cur
rency notes stored in the treasury
vaults were to be made Immediately
available. Amendments to the cur
rency law to place this issue of cur
lrency within the reach of the banks
was rushed through Congress-. Mil
lions of this fund were sent to sub
treasures for immediate use of the
banks. Immediately calm was re-
stored. Manufacturing industries
which we're threatened with suspen-
sion, not through any domestic
causes, but because the European
war had threatened the world in, the
knowledge of an abundant money
supply.
| At the same time Secretary of State
Bryan took prompt steps to relieve
the distress of the 10000 American
tourists marooned abroad. They had
found themselves hemmed in in
countries ,inflamed over night with
war spirit, Tho letters of credit,
drafts and checks they carried were
valueless because they could not be
cashed. Those with ready cash were
unable to return home because
steamship sailings were cancelled.
Congress was asked Immediately for
an emergency appropriation. A naval
vessel was dispatched with millions
in gold to meet the needs of American
refugees Boats were supplied to
bring the Americans home. Legisla-
ton was rushed through Congress
to permit foreign owned vessels to be
placed under American registry so
! that the millions of tons of grain and
cotton tied up in American port
cities could be transported. Compre-
hensive plans for re-establishing in
ternational credits, which had COM
pletely broken down, were made so
that the crops bound for foreign des-
tination could be paid for.
Financial panic was prevented at
home: a threatened tie-up of foreign
TRANSFORMATION was averted; the
safety and welfare of program which
gave a demonstration of true states
manship.
At the same time President Wilson
was successful in averting strike on
all of the western railroads which
threatened industrial paralysis to the
country. After q complete failure
had been encountered in plans to
bring the railroads and employees to-
gether, the President by an appeal
to the patriotism of the railroad
managers induced them to grant the
demands of the men and to arbitrate
the threat of strike as both sides were
bound to agree to the arbitration
findings. A year ago the President
was successful in settling strike on
the eastern roads.
Not since the civil war has presl-
dent been called upon to deal with
problems so vital to the interests OF
| the people of the United States. In
the matter of legislation the PRESS
dent has to his credit the tariff and
currency laws, now in operation, and
the trust legislation partially COM
pleted. In foreign affairs he has to
his credit the settlement of the Mex
lean trouble without Intervention, and
the world is about ready to agree
that the Wilson plan of exerting d.
plomatic ends in international crises
is to be preferred to the barbarlc
display of armed force now being
seen in Europe. The settlement OF
the two big threatened Strikes
which by the way were not due to
financial depression but to prosper
Gus conditions, for in both cases in
creased wage demands were made by
the men-was a service at home. In
relieving the distress of Americans
marooned in Europe by the war
situation the President performed
service for Americans abroad. His
success in the Mexican situation
was a rebuke to jingoism, as
valuable as lesson to this coun-
] try as it was beneficial to the ma
tions of the western hemisphere in
establishing Pan-American diplomacy
on new and firmer footing. Surely
this has been, a constructive program
and should forever silence the slurs
of the party's political opponents.
The European war excitement of
the last few days has eclipsed politics
yet Washington continues to hear en-
couraging reports of the prospects Of
democratic success in Iowa this fall.
Congressman Connolly, who remained
in Iowa after the, Council Bluffs con-.
vention, before returning to Wash
ington, in response to demands for
visits from all parts of the state, has
been given reception that shows his
popularity is increasing every day.
The enthusiasm with which his cam
paign has been taken up in the coun-
ties he has visited gives an indication
that when he begins his campaign in
earnest his candidacy will develop
strength that will prove irresistible.
With the European war settling down
to prolonged conflict, as all present
signs indicate, the edge of American
interest is bound to wear off as po-
litical campaigns at home demand at
tention, and administration backing
of Mr.. Connolly's candidacy will then
begin to assume concrete form that
should count heavily in his favor.
The candidacy of John T. Hamilton
for governor is daily growing in
strength Mr.. Hamilton's record in
the state legislature, as member of
Congress, as member of the state
board of control, and as business
man has pointed to him as the logi-
cal man to restore Iowa's administra-
tive affairs to sound business foot