The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1938-08-11
Observations
from Washington
by Congressman Harold Knutson
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In eight years the Philippine
Islands are scheduled to become
free and independent. For thirty
or more years they have demanded
that political ties with this country
be severed, Notwithstanding all the
benefits they have derived from
their association with America and
some Of the leaders have even gone
80 far as to say that they would
prefer hades and independence to
heaven and Uncle Sam, but now
that the time for their emancipa-
tion IL approaching they are not so
sure that they want It. In the first
place, they very much dislike the
idea Of losing free access to the
American market for their vege-
table oils that come into COMPETE
ton with domestically produced
dairy products and animal fats.
Then, too, they are now a little
afraid that Japan will gobble them
UP shortly after they are set free
so they have launched campaign
in America for legislation that
would retain some sort of perman-
emit relationship between the two
peoples after 1916. In other words,
they want us to continue holding
the bag in the way Of providing
them with market for their pro-
ducts and at the same time protect
them against Japan. No doubt CAM
paign will be well financed as there
are enormous foreign investments
in the Islands, some OF which will
not be 50 secure after the Ameri-
cans withdraw.
Believes I'm Advertising
In addition to being one Of the
biggest property owners in tn e
country Uncle Sam Is also one of
the heaviest advertisers. According
to the latest available figures COM
piled by Congressman J. Parnell
Thomas of New Jersey, the govern
ment in one year sent out at the
expense of the taxpayers 669. 352, $50
pieces Of mail weighing CLIPS, 145
pounds, at an estimated cost of 81
million dollars, which does not in
clude postage. To prepare this flood
of propaganda the Administration
keeps employed 270 publicity writ
ers whose total salaries run better
than 100000 annually. The sad
part Of all this needless expense is
that the biggest part of the pro-
paganda that is sent cut is con-
signed to waste baskets and never
read.
To Vote On Corn Quota
A Washington dispatch announ-
ces that tentative arrangements
have been made for a referendum
in the corn belt early in September
on a proposal to place in force
marketing quotas. Forecasts place
the 1888 corn crop in excess of 2h
billion bushels and under the law a
referendum becomes mandatory
whenever the corn crop exceeds ten
per cent Of normal. It is estimated
that this years crop will be lit
per cent above normal domestic and
export needs. The purpose Of plac-
ing a marketing quota in effect is
to keep surplus corn off the market.
Informed sources express doubt
chat it will be possible to secure
the necessary two-thirds vote to
make marketing quotas effective
as there is a great deal Of cpposi-
ton to the plan among farmers
living in the corn belt.
My readers will recall that an
organization was formed this
spring in Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana
for the purpose Of fighting the pro
posaL
Ickes Badly Advised
While stopping over in the Twin
Cities enroute to Alaska, Secretary
lckes again saw fit to deliver a
broadcast against the morals of the
village OF Cass Lake. On the day
that Mr.. Ickes was in Minneapolis
I happened to be in Cass Lake
where I had an excellent opportun-
ity to see the situation at first hand
and, to state it mildly, Mr.. Ickes
has been very badly advised by his
subordinates. In view of what he
has said about conditions at Cass
Lake 1t may come as a surprise to
my readers to learn that slot ma
chimes are not permitted to operate
in that community, neither are
there any blind pigs or other forms
of lawlessness and all with whom
spoke expressed indignation over
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