The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-08-14
| Nelu York Letter
OF GRIEF
'Little Old New York" is Hav-
ing Her Troubles These Days.
Weather, Paralysis and Street
Car Strike Hit at Once.
FACTORIES LAYING OFF MEN
Decreasing Demand For NUM-
tons From Europe.
President Wilson Would Write
Note to the Sharks.
FACTORIES LAYING OFF MEN

DeSH
is having its trouble these days. A street
railway strike which involved most of
the surface lines and threatened to
tie up every means of transDorta-
ton has just ended, after costing the
companies involved about $350,00O.
The weather has been torrid in the
extreme. which has given increased
impetus to the infantile paralysis
plague. 1t has stricken 5,333 little
ones and sent LIZA little white cas-
kets to the cemeteries, with no pros
poets of abatement in sight. And bus
mess men are now worrying over the
possibility OF a general railroad strike
which may tie up all the lines of the
country and occasion great financial
loss. Much praise is given Oscar S.
Straus, who was secretary of COM
merce and labor in the Roosevelt ad-
ministration and who, as chairman of
the public service commission, pro-
claimed the failure of the head of
one OF the street railway companies
| to keep former agreement with its
employees, thus fixing the blame for
the strike and taking from the railway
companies the moral support they
community.
A Fortunate Settlement.
1t is generally recognized that the
early settlement of the street railway
strike was most fortunate for labor,
because conditions in the surrounding
IndQe IOr an unusual SuDDly
OF strike-breakers. The Dupont
Powder company of Delaware mas just
dropped 5000 men because of the
diminution of the European demand
for munitions of war, and only d short
thine ago the Westinghouse company
laid off several thousand for 4 like
reason. The men SO laid off arc not,
of course. naturally trike-breakers
Many of the men are skilled me-
chanics. Nevertheless, when men have
~ MI
their families in want and only the
prospect of additional reduction of
working forces, the temptation to take
the places of strikers becomes intense.
Reports from abroad, showing the
wonderful organization the allies have
at last achieved in the production of
munitions of war, indicate that the
high tide of the export trade in NUM-
lions of war has passed and will re-
cede from now on, with more and
more men laid off in the great Ameri-
can plants which have been doing SO
prosperous a business as a result of
the sudden war demands.
The Railway Strike.
OF vital Importance to the entire |
country are the negotiations looking |
to the mediation of the railway strike |
1t is announced that "a per cent # the |
100000 railway employees have voted !
to strike and unless the federal me-
dfators can induce both sides to con-
sent to mediation, terrible tie-up of
the transportation facilities of the
country will result. Appeals are being |
made to President Wilson, without re-
gard to party. to take hand it the
regular mediators are unable to bring
about a settlement, as it is feared the
utmost hardship will result II the
strike becomes IN actually. The union
leaders have received written assur-
ances from a number of congressman |
promising to fight any legislation de-
signed to prevent general STRIFE
Special Taxation.
All ewes are turned on Washington
awaiting the final decision of the ad-
ministration to the special taxes 10
be used to make good the treasury
deficit The Democratic senate caucus
has voted greatly to increase the In
heritance tax. but this proposition
meets with serious opposition in many
sections as inheritances have always
been looked upon as peculiarly a
source of revenue for the states them
selves There is no doubt whatever
that the income tax will be increased,
although by how much is still a ques-
ton. The senate plan is to lower the
exemption and tax all incomes over
50, 900 for single men and $4,000 Tor
married men. with increases OF the
present rates for the larger incom es
1t Is also proposed to impose special
taxes on all materials going into NUM-
tions of war. Those engaged in the
production of munitions assert that II |
is an injustice to impose such a tax
Just as the munitions business is fall
ing off and the manufacturers expect
to be left with great plants on their
hands for which they will have COM
paratively little business. No one Is
worrying much about the fate of the
manufacturers. but should the rate at
which they are laying off their en-
ployes be accelerated the result might
be productive of much suffering.
Philippine Legislation.
The agreement of the conferees on II
the Philippine bill has served to recall
the fact that this measure played a
large part in the resignation of Seere-
tary Garrison from the Wilson cabi-
net Mr.. Garrison was earnestly OPT
posed to the Clarke amendment. fix
ing five years hence as the time when
the United States would retire from
the philippines. He procured prem
Use from President Wilson that he
would under no circumstances" APP
prove any bill fixing a definite time
for American withdrawal. Soon after
Mr.. Wilson made this promise. Secre-
tary Garrison discovered that the
president had written note to Senator
Clarke saying he would approve the
bill with the Clarke five-year amend
ment. That proved the last straw
with Mr.. Garrison and. telling his
friends tahf he could not serve as mas
ter who would "double-cross him be-
hind his back he handed in his
resignation. The president who is a
past master at the art of writing notes
made it appear that Mr.. Garrison re-
signed because he could not have his
own way with regard to the proposed
continental army. but that such was
the general impression is tribute to
Mr. Wilson's skill as note writer,
rather than reflection of the facts
which are as here set forth. III
Colonel Gets LimcIight-
1t would be no more possible to
keep Colonel Roosevelt out of the