The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1914-01-02
PAST YEAR HAS SEEN
IMPORTANT CHANGES
Has Been MOmentOus Period TO
United States.
THREE BIG DECLARATIONS.
developments Have Affected Thi,
Country in Al Relations. Both
Foreign ard Domestic.


the American government -noiiticai
economic and financial probably
more tar-reaching than any other
year or the last quarter century
rms was apparent today in a back
ward glance over memorable events
OF the past year in ali branches of
governmental activity.
"A democratic administration in ma
tlonal affairs came to power in this
= months with a Democratic Presi-
dent and a Democratic Congress AZ
MS back for the first time since
Grover Cleveland occupied the White
House. "N''0
The first constitutional amendment
since 1870 were perfected, providing
TWO radical changes In the funda-
mehtal basis of government-an in
come tax and the direct election of
United States senators.
A NEW FINANCE.
The national bank and currency
system, devised to float the debt OF
the war Between the Sections and
winch has operated ever since, was re-
organized into a federal reserve svs-
tenn in which the central plan. the
dominant idea of Europe, was reieict-
ed and vast system of financial re-
organization perfected
A Democratic tariff law became ef
fective, the first since the Wilson hill
OF 1893 and one of the most compre-
henSlVe tariff measures ever enacted
A parcel Post system was brought
lhto successful operation and some of
ltS rates later were reduced while
certain limitations were extended.
The interstate commerce commits
sion began a physical valuation of
railways project which will cost
millions and take years to complete
but which is expected ultimately to
provide basis of rate making. Mean
while 50 great Eastern railway svs-
tens renewed application for 5 per
cent general increase in freight rates
and the commission directed reduc-
tions in express rates.
THE CANAL FINISHED.
Last steps in building the Panama
canal were taken with the probability
that the greatest engineering feat Of
the age will be in operation in the
new year.
Practical control of the Philippine
government was delivered to the ma
tives of the islands by President Will
sons appointment of a native major
ity on the Philippine commission.
tions of the government with great
corporations in the enforcement of
the Sherman antitrust law, was
| brought about by the "bloodless" dis
/ solution of the American Telephone
and Telegraph Companys relations
/ with the Western Union. President
| wilson's open declaration that the ad-
| ministration desired to cooperate
with big business" in a peaceful ad-
ministration of the law was received
I in business and financial circles With
evidences of optimism.
The supreme court laid down sew
eral decisions of deep rooted impor-
tance. 1t decided that owners OF
copyrights and patents may not con
troll the price at which retail dealers
resell their products to the consum.
er. 1t sustained the validity of the
sherman law as a criminal measure
for the first time i'm the ''turpcntint
truts' case. In the cotton corner
case it laid down the principle thai
corner in any commodity is a viO
latiOn of the antitrust laws In tn,
state rate cases it decided that state.
through their railroad commission.
have control over the rates of line.
within their borders. irrespective O
the Interstate commerce commission
In foreign relations affairs of tn,
year were hardly less eventful Sec
Tetary Bryan plans for internatiOna
peace were accepted in principle 10y
more than 80 nations and treatie.
with the United States actually wer,
signed by the Netherlands and Mica
Tagua.
Three important announcements o
the administration foreign policy
10 II L.
he withdrew the support of the Uni
ted States from tn ebankerS i'm the so
called siX-power loan, i'm his Latin
American statement in which he pro
claimed the intention of the United
States to recognize in the Western
hemisphere only those government,
founded on law and order, and 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 America
Relations with Mexico, the Ameri
can governments refusal to recog
nize Huerta and a spirited exchang,
OF notes on the subject were the dip
lomatic events of the year. Great Brit
aims protest against the exemption o
American shipping from tolls in tn,
. Panama canal and Japan's protes
against the anti-alien land Legislation
. in California were the two other prin
cipal features Both still are in tn
course of diplomatic discussion.
FOR AMERICAN TRADE.
Plans for an extension of America
trade abroad by the creation of com