The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1922-07-28
CLAGUF SPEAKER
BEFORE AUDIENCE
SPOKE AT SLEEPY EYE
LAST NIGHT
OFFERS GOOD CHEER
Large Measure of Optimism
Permeated Address OF
Congressman.
Especial to The Free Press.1


Sleepy Eye, July Elm an ad-
dress fairly radiating optimism,
Congressman Frank Clague spoke
to several thousand people at the
Sleepy Eye State Park, Wednesday
evening. When the people of Sleepy
Eye were casting about for means
TO make the park a State Park MI.
Clague was consulted and 1t was
in a measure TO his counsel that
the beautiful park was made
State Park. The people Of this city
and county feel very kindly towards
hirl for his efforts in their behalf,
so when the Sleepy Eye Band an
rounced a special concert with
Congressman Clague on the program
for an address, ii seemed that Just
everybody turned out TO hear him.
Mr.. Clague was introduced by W.
R. Hodges. After a few remarks
of a complimentary nature to the
people of Sleepy Eye, the band and
the beautiful park, Mr.. Clague gave
an address dealing with tina prop
lens confronting the people OF the
country today. He told how they
had been lead into the great world
conflict and the great amounts OF
money due this country by the oth-
er nations, over % million, dollars;
how some of the countries were
getting into the harness to make
good their debts, and this is especl-
ally true Of Germany and France.
But it will be some years before
they will be able TO even pay the
interest on the loans, and how es-
sential it is to economic at TINS
neriod of reconstruction. He told
how the last present administrator
was cutting down expenses and
last year over two million dollars
of the national debt was paid. The
army and navy has been reduced TO
the very smallest size possible, IN
line with the economy program.
The peace congress called by Presl-
dent Harding was another master
stroke in world affairs and places
the United States in leading posi-
ton in world affairs. Mr.. Clague
said that the president is most
remarkable man and that Secretary
Hughes is without the greatest
statesman in the world today. He
said that the money used to build
one battleship would build a won
derfuI system of roads in Southern
Minnesota and that the policy OF
the administration is towards per-
manentt improvements rather than
a waste such as an over abundance
of ornaments during times when
not necessary.
Coal and Strike Situation.
Coming down to affairs nearer
home he enlightened the people as
IN the coal and railroad strikes. and
nredicted that the railway strike. In
his opinion, would be settled before
long. He said that the railroad boys.
were too big to be unreasonable ana
too imbued with patriotism to let
selfish motives work hardshlps on
the neople. Speaking Of the coal
strike he said that nine OF the large
railroad companies own 80 perceni
az the coal mines that furnish coal
To the people of the northWe vest IseV
also control the freighters on the
lakes as well as nearly All tnf
docks at Duluth: The feoeral Iaoe
commission at Washington mas oeen
bampered by a decision of the su-
nrene court whereby the coal OPP
orators do not have to show their
hooks He believes that President
Harding is f<ght in putting the
mines under government operation
at this time, and getting the coal
10 the people so that hardships may
be reduced to the least possible e1-
tent. There are about 4OO,0OO MIN
ers and $4,000 stockholders IN these
mines ana LlS pSOplS al Q DS'Ao
ground between them-higher wages
and less hours on one hand. and a
continual tendency to boost the
nrice on the other hand. He be-
fieyes the mines should be operat-
ing for the benefit of the other more
that one hundred million people OF
the United States while these two
factions settle their differences.
He advised the farmers to hang
onto their cattle, hogs and sheep.
He said there is shortage Of ten
roiIlion cattle, a like amount OF
sheen and hogs. With the tendency
81 tbe young folks to flock to the
c;tv where they wish to do less
Hoyk receive more pay and shorter
bonrs farm products must Of nee
aes;ty raise. New York City with
;ts eix million people is only three
r LIE from starvation at any time.
the percentage Of consumers l.,
hecoming greater and of the produc
ors less. products of the farm must
81 necessity command greater
iSoneressman Clague is home on
thirty day leave of absence from
SIC Iabors in congressman and will
refurn to Washington the early part
of August.