Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-09-25
National Executive Declares
the Country Has Record
Breaking Prospects.
UPHOLDS HIS POLICIES
Previous Tariffs Founded on
Theories, He Says-Is
Cheered by Thousands

Baltimore, Nd, Sept. 25.-President
Wilson speaking before the convention
of the Grain Dealers National associa-
ton here today upheld his tariff policy,
defended the federal reserve act and
the shipping bill and declared that if
its business is properly conducted
America has an uneXCelled future be-
fore il.
I want TO see America seek not to
exclude but TO excel" said the presi-
dent in discussing American trade. He
spoke in support of the tariff commits
sion created by the last congress.
Tariffs Founded on Theories.
On the tariff the president said he
did not fear to say that previously
tariff laws had been founded on the
cries He did not fear the investiga-
ton Of the facts by the tariff commits
sion
1T will look for the facts no matter
whom ii hurts" he said.
The president said he wanted the
federal trade commission to make a
thorough investigation Of American
business
The president said he did not care
whose opinion was cOntradicted, he
wanted the tariff commission to
thoroughly investigate foreign trade.
Applause is Thunderous.
Amid thunderOus applause the pres
ident declared one of his chief OBJ
iects had been to see that nothing was
done to interfere with the friendly re
lations between the United States and
Latin America.
President Wilson came to Bal
timore today to deliver the
second speech OF his campaign
for reelection. He arrived here
al 1870 o'clock this afternoon and was
driven Immediately to the Lyric thea
tire for his address before the National
Grain Dealers convention. Cheering
crowds Of several thousand people
greeted him at the station.
The presidents progress through
the streets was marked by a COntinu-
Gus ovation Four automobiles car
ried his immediate party. There were
no bands because Of Mr.. Wilson's in
ststence that the occasion be kept non
partisan. Frequently, however, he was
forced 10 bow in response TO applause.
A committee representing CONNER
cial organizations and the grain deal
ers' association met him. AS he step
ped on the platform at the theatre the
audience stood and clapped.
Twentieth Annual Convention.
The goth annual convention Of the
Grain Dealers National association
opened here this morning with an ad-
dress Of welcome by Mayor James II.
Preston.
President Lee G. Metcalf Of Illiop-
oils, H. delivered the presidents an
nual address and reports were made
by Secretary Treasurer Charles Quinn
OF Toledo, Ohio, and ]. ". McCord Of
Columbus. Ohio, for the executive COM
mittee
Adjournment was then taken until
E:SO ?. m. for President Woodrow
Wilson's address.
MetcaIf AssaiIs Railroads.
In his address President Metcalf as
sailed the railroads in strong terms
tor the transportation facilities afford
60 the shippers during the past year,
asserting that they have been "un-
usually inferior. inadequate and ex-
remeiy unsatisfactory"
1T seems to be a seIf-evident fact, /
Mr. Netcalf declared, that the rail-
ways are growing more incompetent
every year 10 take care Of the ship
ments Of grain offered them for trans
portatiOn This condition of affairs
hazardous and contributes in no small
degree TO the uncertainty Of our bus
mess
Advocates Rigorous Measures.
We believe the time has come when
rigorous measures of some descrip-
uon should be had TO compel the car
Tiers 10 furnish proper equipment for
me transp ortati0n OF grain offered
mem by shippers Carriers insist that
Is impossible for them 10 make such
provision because OF the depletion OF
pfofts caused by the greatly Increas-
60 cost Of labor and material and that
freight and passenger rates do not
Justify them in making expenditures
necessary 20 cure the evil.
We do not desire 10 cOntrovert this
assertion, but we do insist that il
should be shown by them that this Is
Hce. AS to whether these allegations
are facts or fiction we are convinced
mat remedial steps should be taken to