Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1920-05-03

perity of trade and industry. There
is a homely old saying that sit takes
money to make the mare co." and tho
absence Of the essential capital tt
make the investment market healthy il
traceable to a large extent to the
operations Of the excess profits taxes
income taxes and inheritance taxes
The fadists started in to outdo Henry
George in schemes for levying taxes
and during the wal they put over sc
much of their program that they sue
ceeded in demoralizing the investment
market just at a time when railroad
and industrial reconstruction needed tC
be unhampered in ORDER to perform
those obligations which the public in
sistently demanded.
1t cannot be overlooked that the
government expenses are out Of all rea.
son, and that there is every need for
~retrenchment. The economy cheese
knife could pare public expenses by
the billions, and it would be to the
best interests of the country to "dO this
little thing,'' and to get rid Of non.
essential bureaus in the government
service by The wholesale. Obviously
the reduction of government expenses
to a point well within the government
revenues is one Of the crying public
demands.
' Bullying the Public.
The recent strike Of disgruntled rail
road employees who refused to live UP
to the arrangements of their unions
with the railroad companies, under
which the railroads Of the country are
being operated, has emphasized the
fact that the public does not propose
to stand idly by any longer and see its
common rights tr0dden upon by any
body. Citizens from all walks of life
volunteered to keep the passenger
trains running during the outlaw
strike, and Il number of trains were
operated out of New York to the sub
urban towns with business men, town
officials, engineering students ana
clerks as volunteer firemen, trainmen,
etc. The New York Evening World
commented editorially that such
railroad experience as it could muster
furnished willing citizen firemcn and
trainmen,' and that sit moved a good
ly number of trains and demonstrated
that if necessary it could move many
Evidently the time has come
when n strike without public support
is prccarious, and it is also evident
that the public will no longer let it
self be walked over and bullied; but
the contrary this same public has
demonstrated that it is willing to take
into its own hands-and
as master of. the situation. 1t
is doubtful whether there has ever
been so splendid an example OF the
ability of the public to take care Oh
itself as was shown in the outlaw
strike and there is a striking indich-
tion in the, events that have occurred
Of the great change in sentiment to-
wards the railroads. Evidently TIL"
public has come to realize that their
interests and the interests OF the rail-
roads are interests in common. Ihl:'
changed attitude of the public toward3
the railroads is plainly reflected III the
hroad and statesmanlike way in which
interstate commerce commission Is
going about it's. task of carrying
out the provisions of the transporta-
ton act through which it is hoped TO-
nut the railroatls on Il solid credit
foundation so that they can ade1natc'!
pypand and carry on efficiently the
business of the country.
"FOols and Their Money"
"One must be born every minute,
II appearances are any indication. III
Washington, almost under the shadow
Of the dome of the capitol, local pro
motors have. been selling stock in "oil
,]ompanies,' whose acreage is alleged
n ,ic within a few miles of the capitol
itself. The United States geological
has issued Il statement through
is director, saying that there is MOI
he least possibility that oil exists III
Tho vicinity. Notwithstanding this fact,
which should settle the matter, the
,ompany is issuing statements to the
fleet that the geological survey does
know what it is talking
mi ottempting to prove the official
4, tement is not correct. business
INST he good with these promoters. il
.hc size of their ads in the daily news
,apers is to he taken ms an indication
Rnt who will deny the right of the 1ool
his money to part under such en-
you hear of the gush-
.rs." said Congressman Howard, Oh
but they are few and far
,etween."
The outstanding fact remains that
he oil supply of the country is beng
far. more rapidly than there
$ any prospect for replenishment.