The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1921-05-20
SENATOR PAT HARRISON PRE.
sENTs TWO PICTURES

mr. President, let me bring back
TO the attention of the Senate the
years from 1912 to 1919. It was !
great period. 1t is good to think about
it. It was a time when our country
blossomed in prosperity like the rose.
AS the distinguished Senator from
Iowa lMr. Cummins) knows. the rail-
roads did not have enough freight
cars to carry the wheat and the corn
from the far western country to the
market. The Representatives from
his section were vying and competing
with the representatives from my sec
ton and from the East before the
Interstate Commerce Commission to
procure additional cars, so that the
products of the farms and the output
OF the factories could find their way
over the railroads to market.
Wages were higher. Farmers were
receiving higher prices for their pro-
ducts, and business men greater
profits than ever before in the history
Of the country. New farms were be-
ing cultivated; new fields were being
opened up Labor was thoroughly con-
tented and happy. The tired work
men could leave their places of en-
ployment and go home in the after
noon in perfect happiness and bask
In the association of their wives and
little ones. All of this was made pos
sible by the wholesale legislation pass
ed by the Democratic administration.
There was prosperity and content
ment in those days. There were no
men out of employment. Employers
were standing in line
1t is good to think about it. 1t was
a time when every avenue of approach
to the markets of the world was clear
ed, when every channel through
which our trade and commerce might
flow was opened up. Hundreds of
agents from the various departments
OF the Government were sent into ev-
cry foreign field to study trade con-
ditions and to advise the industrial,
commercial, and agricultural interests
of America of the opportunities offered
Every policy upon the part of the
Government was adopted with a view
to building up our export trade. Com
mercial agents were provided for by
law. Commercial attaches we're sta
toned at all consular stations, as
we'll as elsewhere throughout the
world. National banks were permit
ted by law and encouraged to locate
branch banks in foreign countries.
Our great corporations. under the
sanction OF the war, were permitted
to coordinate and to cooperate in
order to obtain trade in foreign coun-
ties. Our merchant marine was given
the greatest encouragement and mill
lions of increased tonnage was pro-
vided that the products from our
farms and factories sold TO foreign
purchasers might not be dependent
for delivery upon foreign carriers.
American diplomacy was lifted to
a high standard and instructions went
out to all our foreign representatives
to perform every act that might bring
the nations Of the world into closer
trade relations with US.
why, sirs, it was during this period
that our exports increased from 1912
to 1920 approximately s6,000,ooO, 900.
IT was a period when the farmers re-
ceiyed higher prices for their pro-
ducts. working men and women higher
wages for their labor. and business
men greater profits on their invest
ments than ever before in the history /
of America.
Why. sirs, during that period not
only did the farmers increase their
in the banks, but they open
cd up new fields and added to their
wealth through enormous increased /
valuation Of their farms. Labor was
never more employed. contented, and
happv. Not only was he permitted |
during that period to receive such
wages that he could in many instances
Law some aside for rainy day" 50
10 speak. but he was enabled under
the wholesome and beneficent legis-
,ation passed by the party then con-
rolling the Government, because Of |