The Bismarck Tribune Newspaper, September 22, 1919, Page 4

THE BISMARCK TRIBUNE at Postoffice, Bismarck, N. D., as Second Ratered at the as area ss . MANN, - - - - «8 Foreign Fonrenaietines . (AN PAYNE “ANY, CRTCAG OE Nae ae ee™ perRorE, Marquette Bldg. . a) Bids PAYNE, BURNS AND SMITH NEW YORE, cope ahs CCS Fifth Avé. Bldg. MEMBER OF ASSOCIATED PRESS e The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to thd use for publication of all news credited to it or not o' credited im this herein. paper and also the local news published All rights of publication of special dispatches herein are rath F CIRCULATION EMBER AUDIT BUREAU 0: BUBSORIPTION RATES PAYABLE IN ADVANCE Daily by carrier, per yenr,. eae si} +0 -$7.20 mail, per year (In Bismarc! senee Daily by mail, Le gear (In state outside Bismarck) 5.00 by mail outside of North Dakota..........++ 6.00 JHE STATE’S OLDEST NEWSPAPER, (Established 1878) EB —— TURN ON THE LIGHT! Why doesn’t congress accept the invitation which Glenn E. Plumb gave it to investigate thor- oughly his astounding charges of railroad looting? Congress has got to settle the railroad problem SOME WAY—SOMETIME. Shall it be settled in the dark or in the light? Plumb, representing more than two million railroad men, has made charges which the railroad brotherhoods have offered to prove, but the rules committee of the house of representatives will not even hold a meeting to consider the resolution which Representative Huddleston of Alabama has introducd calling for an investigation of the charges. The other day on the house floor, Huddleston made a speech in which he said this: “The charges made against the rail- roads involve not merely fraudulent capi- talization, but almost every form of common stealing. This is a matter of momentous - concern to the people. Every dollar of fraudulent addition to railroad assets or debts means that a tax through rates must be levied upon the people to make that dol- lar good. The railroads are demanding of congress a guaranty of an income upon their capital—and debts. This is the stake the railroads are playing for. This is why they have carried on the most expensive propaganda in the history of our nation; why they have bought newspapers and have poisoned the springs of public infor- “mation. * * * ‘It will be the greatest blunder in the history of congress if we attempt to legislate on the railroad issue without knowledge upon the truth of these charges.” The plain fact is, as the brotherhoods have charged, that in every bill now before congress save and except the Plumb plan, there is covered up a guarantee on TEN BILLION DOLLARS worth of watered stock. If this charge is true, it is obvious why rates have gone up and why railroad service has cost so much, while the roads have “earned” so little. The enormous sums paid to the private owners of the roads by the federal government have been paid upon this ten billions of “water.” If that should be eliminated, rates could be reduced at once. The Plumb plan proposes to eliminate it. Plumb proposes to pay the railroad-security own- ers every dollar of real money ever spent for rail- road properties—but not a cent more. If this is done, the ten billions of water would be squeezed! out of railroad capitalization, and the people of the United States would automatically cease ‘to pay, tribute on this fraudulent capitalization. That is just the thing the railroad owners do NOT want to happen. That is why they are mov- ing heaven and earth to get a railroad bill passed quickly before the country has time to demand a thorough airing of the charges made by the rail- road brotherhoods. Why should congress dodge this issue? Why should the rules committe of the house stnother the Huddleston resolution which merely calls for looking into these facts? Is congress afraid of the facts? Is it afraid to have the people know the facts? If not, why doesn’t it proceed to demand that Mr. Plumb make good his charges. Let’s have the investigation? WHY NOT? After all, it may be that generals and dough- boys are made of different clay. General Persh- ing wouldn’t let that New York woman kiss him. AUNT MARY All of us have had a real Aunt Mary, or have known one who assumed that relationship to us regardless of kin. No central west community of.a generation ago was complete without her, and she still exists here and there. The beauty of her name, Mary, seemed fitting the beauty of her character. The spirit of Aunt Mary was the heart beat of the central west in its youth—yes, and it is yet, and of all America! The Aunt Mary that we have in mind, and who is quite typical, lived in a white house trim- med in green out on the edge of the town. It was whiter than any other white house in town; the roses that climbed on the side wall and the geraniums in the flower beds were redder and the grass of the lawn was greener than those of any of her neighbors. ; Her cow gave better milk and her chickens laid 2 orderly way that she kept her household in the more eggs—even the fat, sleek tabbycat that sun- ned himself on the oval rag rug of her front door- step seemed to reflect the well ordered life of the household. Of course, there was Uncle John. He and Aunt Mary had lived together so long that they were much alike; but Aunt Mary being the stronger character, and abounding in the qualities of human sympathy and gentleness, he was a reflection of her rather than she of him, and the whole community always named her first in referring to them collectively—Aunt Mary and Uncle John. Aunt Mary brought up a large family during the spring and summer of her years—in the same autumn of life, and her countenance reflected the fact that they were all successful men and women. In all the quarrels and strife and prejudices that a community endures as the growing pains of its youth, Aunt Mary remained neutral, gentle, sweet tempered, justified the blessings of the peacemaker and always gave wise counsel. The best of her, though, was by example—of a well ordered, happy, natural life—an unconscious preceptress of thrift, industry and goodness of heart. And while all did not partake of all the adorn-) ments of her character, yet all partook of some part of them, and every community was far better for its Aunt Mary. We pass the house where once she lived on one of the brief and far between visits to our native town. The paint is dull, the climbing rose is no more, the flower beds are bare and weeds grow in the yard. We are on our way to the cemetery to lay flowers on the graves of our kinsman. We divide the number and place some on the last resting place of Aunt Mary near by. We read her full name on the headstone. But just the two words, “Aunt Mary,” would be the true tribute; for that is what she is in our memory and that of all who knew her. And we were just wondering if all the Aunt Marys of all the thousands of little communities all over America’ is not the spirit that asserts itself within us in times of antional stress and strife? Does not her wisdom and sympathy predomi- nate over malice and unto justice? Is mot Aunt Mary the soul of America? : LOSING MONEY In view of the possible nationalization of Brit- ish coal mines, says Trade Commissioner H. G. Brock, London, the commercial accounts of public utility enterprises run by the state are rousing general interest. The official figures for the tele- graph and telephone services of the United King- dom show a deficiency of $2,781,650 in respect of telegraphs and a surplus of $1,777,340 in respect of telephones for the year 1917-18. The accounts for 1918-19 are much less favor- able however, owing to the largely increased war bonus paid to the staffs, amounting in the tele- graph service to $6,250,000 and the telephone $7,- 500,000, the loss on the two services being offi- cially computed at $5,000,000 on telegraphs and $2,000,000 on telephones. For 1919-20 the loss will be substantially larger, the war bonus for the- telegraph service being estimated at over $10,000,000 and for the telephone at $12,500,000. These balances have been arrived at after providing interest on the capital value of the plant and buildings, provi- sional liability, and depreciation of plant. In addi- tion, the cost of materials has increased, and the charges for pension liability and depreciation are higher. The government is, therefore, considering increasing the cost to the public. WORTH OF [ Ray SIDES (Continued BOTH NO TROUBLE plants elsewhere in this part of itself today. company here. Not enough men was said. on the boats. BETHLEHEM DELAY STRIKE Bethlehem, Pa., Sept. 22.—Delegates representing all of the unions of the 35,000 employees ' of the Bethlehem Steel Co., at a meeting last night decid- ed they would not participate in the strike at present instead they will wait the outcome of a meeting of a commit-) tee they expect to have with the com- pany’s officials. Leaders say if they failed to obtain a conference by Thursday evening, the national committee will be asked to call a strike next Monday. 8,000 WALK OUT Wheeling, W. Va., Sept. 22—Eleven steel plants in -this district were closed this morning approximately 8,000 employees having joined the na- tion. wide strike. TWIN CITIES NOT AFFECTED St. Paul., Sept. 22—Steel industries in the Twin Cities were not noticably affected by the strike according to announcements made this forenoon { WITH THE EDITORS | DISCIPLINING THE EAST Senator McCumber’s individual report from the foreign relations committee does not nicely weigh words in attacking the Lodge report. It characterizes the amendments of the treaty, pro- posed by the majority of the committee, as “sel- fish, immoral and dishonorable.” Mind, it is a fellow-republican who says this. From the sub- stance of the reservations, urged by the Lodge report, Senator McCumber does not dissent; tho he strongly protests against the language in which they are couched, and the turn given to.them. Indeed, the animus of the whole Lodge report is severely commented upon by Mr. McCumber, who declares it in tone and taste unworthy of the sen- ate. Thus does North Dakota give a lesson to Massachusetts in good manners and dignity. It would appear, also, that Massachusetts is getting a lesson from New York, if not in politeness, at least in party tactics and political sense. The Tribune informs us that Elihu Root is going over the treaty situation with Senator Lodge, at the latter’s home in Washington. It reports him advising that the Shantung amendment be dropped, and in other ways counselling the Massachusetts senator how to escape being dragged off his seat by the wild horses in the senate whom he is attempting to drive. We have heard much of the awful work of the “wicked old men” at the Paris peace confer- ence; but if the republican party has got a few of them Avith brains and force and patriotism, they ought to be furnished free transportation to by_ several officials. Machinery companies will-- operate as long as they have materials it was stated. STOCKS STEADY New York., Sept. 22.—The steel strike asserted little adverse influ- ence over the stock market at the opening of today’s trading. Steel shares were least disturbed of any im- portant issues, opening mostly with a gain from one-half points in United States Seel to one point in Bethlehem and 33 for crucible. The action in the fist half hour can- celled most of these gains, however. Stocks dependent upon the stability of the steel industry such as equip- ments were steady to firm. WORLD SERIES “OPENS OCT. 4 Cincinnati, Sépt, - 22,—Cincinnati won the toss for the opening game of the worlds series at the meeting of the national baseball commission here to- day. The first two games will be played in Cincinnati the next three in the Am- erican league city, winning the penait of that league then two in Cincinnati if necessary followed by one in the Am- erican league city. The place for the ninth game if necessary is to be de- cided by lot, The first. game iS scheduled for Wed- nesday, October 1. \ CASTORIA For Infants and Children LALOME, DESTROY, 2, ,000,000,000 DOLLARS PROPERTY EVERY YEAR! THOUSANDS LEAVE WORK IN FIRST SKIRMISH OF INDUSTRIAL FIGHT; strike order to the fact that tomorrow is pay day at two big plants | and that two others pay Thursday. Reading, Pa., Sept. 22.—No evidence of trouble in local steel Men continued at work. ROCKEFELLER PLANTS CLOSED Denver, Sept. 22.—The steel plants of the Colorado Fuel & Iron Co. at Pueblo, closed this morning as a result of the strike of workers, according to a statement issued at the offices of the; py. SEAMEN WALK OUT rns Cleveland, O., Sept. 22.—According to an official of -the Lake ington and given the task of protect- Seamen union here, union sailors at this port this morning quit|ing the workers upon munitions from several steel corporation freighters at the docks, refusing to work He would give no estimate of the number of men out. THE RATS ) (aw! Haw! Haw!! THAT'S HOTHIN, FOOD AND a i : LCS Qe gi conieke = Federated Women’s Club Will Meet at CLAIMING VICTORY Grand Forks Soon from Page One) Will Be the | ’ Principal Topic Discussed October 15, 16 and 17 | Americanization AT READING The fall meeting of the state fed- eration of Women’s clubs will be held in Grand Forks October 15, 16 and iyat@m |17. In accordance with the policy of the general federation this mecting will feature, Americanization, public health, including considerable discus- sion of recreation, and thrift. Fred Clayton Butler, United reported to operate the plant, it|States Director of Americanization, has been.a social and community or- ganizer and worker for a humber of years. At the entrance of América into the war, he was called to Wash- the Schuykill valley manifested bad community conditions. On Jan- uary first-at the request of the sec- retary of the interior, Franklin K. Lane, Mr. Butler and his group of workers was transferred to the inter department to take charge of the work ’ . D Annunzio Forces of Americanization. Secretary Lane is asked for an appropriation of one Extend Operations hundred million dollars to be ex- ¢ e Z , |pended through Mr. Butler’s division Paris, Sept. 22—Troops under D'-|quring the next seven years in the Annunzio, the insurgent commander at] ejimination of illiteracy. Fiume, have been extending the zone| "Incidentally Mr. Butler is a North of their activities in the Jugo-Slave pakotian, having spent his boyhood territory according to Jugo-Slave, de- upon his father’s farm near the vil- legation in Pafis. day, occupying the heights at Pianiak, years in that‘county. dominating the surrounding country. The Jugo-Slavs did not clash with the D’Annunzio forces executing this moyement, the delegation stated, TO EVACUATE PETROGRAD Copenhagen, Sept. 22.—The Bolshe- viki have made all preparations , for the evacuation of Petrograd according A kangaroo with twins is one of the) to Helsingors dispatch to the central rarest sights of Australia. , news agency. so Phone 189 for Beulah) ‘he first ‘reguiar daily newspaper C 1. f was printed at Frankfort, Germany, Oal. tf] in iets. BY CONDO —AND ITM RIGHT HERE TO TECK THS WORLD THAT (F —- Washington to help the senate leaders out of their pickle—New York)Post. 4 In Use For Over 30 Years the aan ee jamong producers, in J They. penetrate|/1age of Helmes, Grand Forks county. |? seven miles into Jugo-Slavo on Satur-} pe also taught school for several |* NO SOFTCOML PRICE COMBINE way M8 WITNESS J.D. A.’ Morrow Tells Senate Committee Such a Combina- tion Would Be Impossible. 4 PRICES AT MINES LOWER THAN LAST YEAR | Botter Grades of Coal Have Advanced "But Lower Grades Declined, Making Average of All Grades Less. 7 Washington, D, C—(Spectal)—A combination among bituminous coal operators to maintain or fix . prices does not exist and would be impossible if attempted, J. D. A. Morrow, vice- president of the National Coal assocla- tion, told the senate sub-committee in {ts first day’s inquiry ‘here into the coal situation. Prices at the mine, Mr. Morrow added, have declined under the competition which prevails and are lower now than they were a year go. “There are about. 5,000 separate com- mercial producers operating approxi- mately seven thousand mines from which bituminous coal is regularly shipped,” Mr. Morrow said. “In addi- tion there are some two thousand oper- ators with about three thousand mines who begin producing and selling soal and offers a profit to them, Thus in 1917 coal production was reported to the United States geological survey from 10,634 mines.’ Moreover there are hundreds of thousands of acres of coal lands along railroads on’ which new mines can be readily and quickly opened by anyone so disposed. “Such a condition obviously does not lend itself to restrictive combinations In addition the operators of each mining field are sub- ject to competition from the producers of ‘other fields, so that buyers have mary different sources of supply avail- uble to them. “Anyone who alleges that there is a nation-wide combination among bitu- minous coal producers when these are the conditions of bituminous coal pro- duction and distribution, merely ad- vertises his own ignorance or convicts himself of deliberate and vicious mis- statements. “Of the five thousand separate bitu- minous coal producers in the United States, 294, approximately 45 per cent, hold membership in the National Coal association. They produce about 60 per cent of the total output of bitumii s coal in the country. “Charges that the National Coal association is a combination to main- tain prices are without foundation in fact; they doubtless *provteed simply from ignorance of: its purposes and activities. ‘The National Coal associa- tion neither buys: nor:sells coal; nei- ther does jit:have unything whatever to do with the, prices. which its: mem- bers ask or sell at, nor with: the terrl- tory into which they ship their. coal, nor the quantity which they produce.” Mr, Morrow stated. that. bituminous eoal prices have @eclined since: the armistice, and in general are lower than the prices fixed by the United States fuel administration. He sub- mitted charts to the committee graph- leally showing the prices which bitu- minous coal sold at at: tae. mines in different districts of the United States from April 1 to August 1, 1919. In connection with these charts, Mr. Mor- row explained that when the price re- strictions of the, fuel administration were removed on, February 1 last the detter and more desirable coals went a premium in the open competitive market and the less desirable coals Jeclined in price. This was the action to be expected. he said, in a market where the buyer exercises his choice and can obtain the kind he prefers. As‘a result, in- stead of the uniform ‘prices in dif- ferent districts, which were fixed by the United States fuel administration, prices: promptly, spread out, some couls zoing higher and some lower than they dad been, ts “Meantime,” : Mr. “Morrow ‘said, “the cost of producing bituminous coal is higher now than it was a year ago, due to the fact that the mines then were operating six days a week and in meny 2ases how are operating only four days per week, and in some cases only three jays per week. The overhead expense of maintaining mines goes on just the same whether coal is produced or not. These idle-day expenses have resulted in increased costs per ton as compared with last year. When these increased costs are considered in connection with the general decrease in prices, it is clear that profits of. bituminous coal operators are matertally less than a year ago.” Referring to statements by Repre- sentative Huddleston of Alabama, Director General Hines of the railroad administration and others, to the ef- fect that bituminous coal prices at the mines are unduly high; “Mr. Morrow said: “I-wish to deny publicly and emphatically these allegations that bituminous coal prices are being main- tained in’some improper manner and are unduly high. Iam convinced that these statements proceed simply from a lack of understanding of the facts.” Mr. Marrow drew comparisons be- tween the prices of }ituminous coals at the mings in the United States and foreign countries. “Prices at the mines in Great Brit- ain,” he said, “are about three times the mine prices prevalent in the United States. In, Francé the mine Prices are more than three and a ‘half times those of the United States. English mine prices range from $6.04 to $7.14 per ton,» while bituminous coal in France is costing, about: $8.76 ber ton at the mines. The average mine price of bituminous coal sold in the United States is in the neighbor- hood of $2.40 per ton’? Time was once measured by burn- ing candles, each one made so as to burn exactly one or two-hour periods. ‘When @ Siberian bride enters her husband's house for the first time she must be prepared to show her skill in cooking. whenever the price goes up a little.