The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-04-11
WHAT'S THE REAL ANSWER?


WHAT'S THE REAL. ANSWER?
Figures compiled by the New York Journal
of Commerce indicate that the total exports OF
gasoline in 1915 amounted to 112,56O,OOO gal
lions. This compares with 1852, 100000 gallons
| in 1914 and 117,72S,OOO gallons In 1913. Thus
| less gasoline was sent abroad last year than IN
the year before the war
What becomes. then of the argument that
the price of gasoline is due to the war, which
representatives Of the oil interests have used to
explain the increases that have angered owners
of automobils and of all gasoline engines? There
was a very big increase in the exports in 1914
over those of the preceding year, but has not
the oil industry had time to recover from the
effects of that demand in the fifteen months
that have followed?
There remains the argument that much OF
the crude oil now being produced is low in gaso-
line In this connection it is to be noted that
the exports of crude oils greatly increased IN
| 1915 over 1914, but they were below those or
1913 by some 100000 gallons
Altogether, 1913 appears to be an unlucky.
year for comparisons for the oil interests, but
what is the real answer to these price Increases
Of course. it is mostly conjecture, but the
testimony of Captain Sims before the house
bowled over like ninepins if pitted against
British or other craft of the same general de-
sign should give us pause. Where other nations
have spent millions in rectifying mistakes, we
have been satisfied to jog comfortably along,
chewing the cud of contentment. Truly. there
is education work ahead for the Navy League,
largely in convincing our legislators at Wash
Iington that the fleets of Sampson, Schley and
Dewey are not now in the first class.
! A number of Keokuk lads are developing the
spirit Of slaughter to not commendable degree,
their chief delight being forays in quest of
BIRDS which fall victims to the deadly airgun
carried by the youngsters. Maybe it is mere
thoughtlessness on the part of the killers, and
that attitude may be easily overcome by home
and school instruction relating to the various
uses of birds in the community.
/ Score another for Iowa Groceries, meat
E! shops and restaurants in this state are better
kept up, as far as sanitary conditions are con-
cerned, than are those in eastern states, accord
ling to a statement by the Iowa dairy and food
commissioner. The germ theory has no stand
ing in the Hawkeye state.
| In 1912 the progressives cast 162 900 votes in
i Indiana and this year they mustered less than
$500 incidentally it might be timely to state
the republicans cast 225, 900 votes in the same
lprimary this year, which is significant that the
Iprogressives are again voting with the re-
tpublicans.
Billy Sunday says heaven will be series of
beautiful moving pictures. Apparently, says
the California Santa Ana Blade, there is get
ting away from the movies. IF there is that
other place there is a way.
/ Every newspaper-if it is a newspaper-has
a mission. 1t is to print the news. This fact is
mentioned tip to those who are always re-
questing the newspaper to suppress some news
item, to first suppress the request.
8 After all, there is nothing quite delightful
as to plant something and watch it grow.