The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1916-10-05
FACTS ARE FACTS

Honorable and venerable Knute
Nelson, distinguished statesman and
Minnesota's first citizen, formally
opened the campaign for the Minneso-
ia Republicans Saturday of last week,
delivering the key note speech, in
which he carefully covered the legis-
lative program enacted by the con-
gress at the behest of President Will
son.
Senator Nelson discussed and an
alyzed the Underwood tariff law, the
much heralded currency legislation,
the prosecution of trusts, the child
labor law, the shipping law, the Pa
mama bonds, the Philippine Islands,
rural credit legislation and the spe-
cial legislation for small percentage
of the railroad employees.
Mr.. Nelson said: "No President
since the days of Jackson has so
sought to dominate congress and
surrogate it to his will and to dictate
the legislative policy as President
Wilson,.
In discussing the tariff legislation,
Mr.. Nelson showed in conclusive
manner how the system of tariff pro-
lection had been destroyed, and but
for the European war the farmers of
the Northwest would be at the mercy
of the most vicious piece OF tariff
legislation ever passed. The tariff
measure enacted was supposed to raise
sufficient revenues to run the govern
ment, but the operation of the law so
materially decreased the duties that
the make-shift revenue act was enact
ed. This makeshift cost the people
of the United States $136,347 ,42S,
during the fiscal year ending June ~,
1916.
The claim that President Wilson
had kept the United States out OF war
was shown up by Senator Nelson IN
a manner that was convincing.
The Federal Reserve Bank act IS
an expensive luxury for the people,
as only three of the IL banks have
paid any dividends since their estab-
lishment. The Aldrich-Vreeland law
enacted by a Republican congress was
the father of the Federal Bank idea.
The original plan was to have one
large central bank the same as Eng
land, Germany, France and other for
eign countries. This plan would re-
duce the cost of operation and would
make it possible for immediate and
necessary relief for any section need
ing assistance. The heads OF the II
hanks all draw fat salaries of $4,000
per year each.
Senator Nelson disclosed how near
ly impossible it would be for the
farmers to take advantage of the rur-
al credit law, because before farmer
could make loan he must take out
$500 stock for every 500 he desired
to borrow. This scheme would be so
intricate that few farmers would care
to take advantage of the law, unless
money could be borrowed at much
less rate of interest than is now OBJ
tainable on farm securities which is
improbable.
Senator Nelson's treating of the
eight-hour railway law forced
through during the last hours of con-
gress was given especial attention.
There was nothing in the demands
of a small per cent of the railway
employees to shorten the work day,
but its effect was a wage increase of
rs per cent to the very best paid
class of railway employees.
In his statement before congress
with reference to the railway law,
President Wilson practically stated
that he would assist the railways to
secure increased rates to make up
the increased cost of operating
amounting to at least S20O,O00,OOO
annually. Of course the public will
be compelled to pay the bill.
The editor of the Herald was priv
ileged to hear Mr.. Nelson's address
There was not show at oratory or
rancor but as a cold discussion of
the facts it was remarkable docu-
n2ent, and win no doubt be used ex-
tensively during the campaign.
The Herald publishes a six-column
symposium of Senator Nelson's adj
dress on page seven of this issue, and
all readers are urged to carefully
c+n1d,- Il A M w