The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-05-11

by large borrowers but today the diff
ference between what he pays and
many others pay Is too great. This
is not felt SO much in Iowa under our
favorable conditions as in other sec
tions Of the country, where agricul-
tural developments it not SO far ad-
vanced. The whole problem, how
ever, is one of vital Importance to the
individual farmer needing assistance
and one of great moment to the coun-
try as whole.
This is another of the measures
the people want. 1t is receiving at
tention at the hands of President
Wilson. He is on record as favoring
legislation along these lines.
Merchant Marine
One of the most urgent needs Of
the country is merchant marine.
Our wharves are piled high with un-
shipped products Of farms and factor
les. Our railroad terminals are
crowded with shipments for foreign
lands. We have no boats to relieve
the congestion and a practical en-
barge has been declared by leading
railroads against further shipments
of grain from the west
Had the farmers themselves paid
the 5O,OO0,OOO from their own
pockets and bought or built the mer
chant marine fleet asked for by Pres
ident Wilson of congress, they would
have been millions of dollars ahead.
Assistant Secretary of Agriculture
Carl VroOman declares that the
farmers could we'll have afforded to
put up 100000 for merchant
marine and thereby saved the out
rageous shipping charges imposed by
the shipping trust, as we'll as have
opened the markets of the world for
the products now on dock in this
country, Cutting the markets and
keeping the prices down.
At the beginning of the war it
cost about four cents bushel to
transport wheat from New York to
Liverpool. The ocean freight rate
now is 4S cents a bushel. You can
readily see what this has cost our
farmers.
The people have expressed them
selves to the effect that they do not
want and will not have ship subsidy.
Private capital has failed to come to
the relief of the shippers, so the call
of the people is for a government OPP
Grated or controlled merchant marine
useful in charging our markets in
times of peace, and necessary as
transports in times of war.
Will you put this problem up to
republicans who have on other occa
sons favored subsidies, or taken no
interest at all in the matter, or will
,ct owl ,op Of ic
measure to those who have shown
their interest in it and their desire
to give the people what they want?
The people want preparedness
along reasonable lines. They want
manufacture of war munitions so far
as it is practical in government
plants President Wilson is on rec
ord for it.
The people want peace, and Presi-
dent Wilson is for peace, as has been
demonstrated-peac with honor
but fight if we must and that is the
position of all high minded citizens.
With all these important problems
awaiting solution and completion
with president and party in power
who have been tried and found true
to the will of the people-who would
for minute think of changing the
man at the helm? Service is what
the people wish and not mere promis-
es. They have had service at the
hands of Woodrow Wilson and the
responsibility is upon the democrats
of Iowa to see that the people know
the facts, and if you do, you need
not fear the result.
EuroDean Situation
! have tried to get correct under
standing of the position Of those who
complain of President Wilson's policy
regarding the European situation. l
confess | cannot learn just what it is.
! hesitate to charge men who are no
doubt as patriotic men as there are
in our country, with playing politics
in a matter of so serious moment, and
yet ] can find no other reason for
their attitude.
For instance, ! know republican
editor who is enthusiastically for Mr..
Roosevelt because Roosevelt would
protect this country's interests"
HE would be decisive He would
allow no interference with the coun-
urges President Wilson not to press
his demands in regard to the sub
marine policy of Germany and urges
that President Wilson might be just
little more reasonable.
The Chicago Tribune represents a
type Of publication that is vicious in
its attacks upon President Wilson.
Nothing he can do is pleasing to
them. His foreign policy is weak"
"all wrong" ETC., but when he insists
upon International law being upheld
and American citizens safeguarded
when travelling upon neutral ships,
the Tribune asks, Are we. to go to
war simultaneously against both the
Central Empire and the Allies, for
both sides have disregarded previous