W
'
vxom fOuji.
Bedford mail tribune
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ICA'S TRADE
UOSTON. Dec. 15. Trade of tho
United Stntea in 1915 with tho twen
ty Latin republics both in sales and
purclinses, exceeded in volume that
of any other single country, accord
ing to John Ilarrett, director general
of tho l'an-Anicrlcan Union, in an
nddrcss here before tho Latin-American
Commercial congress. It was
the first year, he said, the United
Stnteu had over exported n greater
valuation of products to Latin-American
countries than did the United
Kingdom.
Mr, llarrctt'a conclusions were
basod on statistics just compiled by
tho Pan-American Union. He nald
this was tho first time accurate fig
ures of Latln-Amcrlcnn commerce in
1913 had been given.
Tho figures showed that tho twenty
independent countries south of the
United States conducted a foreign
commerco In tho calendar year 1913
valued at $2,BG4.S7C,22-I. of which
exports were. J 1.539, 123,597, and im
ports $1,323,752,627.
In this trade, according to Mr. Bar
rett, tho United States, contrary to
general opinion, led the United Klnu
dbm, Germany and Franco with large
margins. United States exports to
Latin-America wero valued at $325,
857,643; the United Kingdom at
$322,228,073; Gormany $217,970,203
and Franco $1 10,484,385. Imports
from Latin-America were: United
States $477,C28,000; United King
dom $321,358,313; Germany $189,
150,172; and Franco $12SS,329,0C8.
These figures, Mr.' Ilarrett declared,
would surprise American exporters
and importers mid should encourago
thoso who had believed there was
little opportunity for them in Lattu
American trado because of Kuropean
competition.
DEGENERAIE HELD'
GRANTS PASS, Or., Dec. ID. On
Saturday afternoon Sheriff Smith ar
rested Orlandcr Smith, who recently
camo to this community from Co
qtitlle, and is still held In prison
awaiting tbe nrrlval of nn officer. The
urrest was made upon the request
of Sheriff (luge, of Coo county, who
Hinted that Orlander Smith was want
ed In the coast city on a felony charge
preferred by threo young girls. Smith
recently came to Josephine county
and with his family was living down
Die river from this city. Ho was not
very well known horo, but those few
who have had business dealings with
him put him down as a religious fan
atic fter he wns locked up in Jail
Saturday ho began to sing hymns
and to pray, keoplng It up until Into
nt night.
Smith formerly lived nt Prosper,
a little milling town on tho lowei
Corjulllo river near Ilandon. Mo is
charged with a- crime agajust throe
little girls who reside In the place
nnd whoso testimony was taken be
fore tho grand Jury,
A feature of tho caso is that
mlth bocamo religious nnd his
nctlons wero made known to tho com
munity when ho got up at a religious
meeting, at which a row wero in at
tendance', and gave testimony telling
of -what ho had dono, saying he hoped
that by making- n confession of his
nets ho would be allowed to Join tho
church.
Portland Livestock Market
I'QHTLAND, Or., Dee. IS. Cattle
Kecoints 7 ; filcndy to weak. Primo
lislit stCi't-H, $7.25(0)7.50; prima heavy
riteer, $77.S5; pppd, $6,!5(Hl.7..
lforseoeiptu 300; pttndy.
;( Blivop Keceiplrt 131; steady.
IE
I SOUTH
AMERICA
RA
AI GRANTS PASS
HOW TO BRING
JOSEPH B13IFKL1). propriolor of the llotol Shcrnmn
of Chicago, who claims to bo a disinterested observer,
analyses the present financial depression as a business
man as being due, in a large degree, to the tact that the
railroads are hard up through over-regulation and that, the
way to restore prosperity is to grant the increase in rates
asked. There is undoubtedly lnerit in his plea, which
reads as follews:
"What then, is the concrete basic cause of the present
business depression? f
"The private citizen answers offhand that it's the war.
"Out the distress dates back long before we heard the rumb
lings of "Mars. Europe has simply added hardships to a
business burden already heavy. Further, we are told that
on the whole the big war is to be of great commercial ad
vantage to the United States.
"The wholesaler guesses that the tariff is responsible.
But this is a debatable question in theory and in practice
as applies to the present case because the new tariff was
not in operation long enough to have a determining influ
ence one way or another. We must go still further back.
"The merchant being in direct contact with the people
and their purchasing power, has his fingers on the pulse
of business life. He is able to diagnose the trouble and
point out one specific cause that overshadows all other
complications. And his explanation follews:
" 'The railroads are hard up. Therefore they do not
spend the money they should. The lack of new capital
prevents their making many needed improvements. Be
tween this and reduced current expenditures tho effect
permeates all down the line
... . ... .
to retailer and iinally to the
" 'The remedy tor this condition is to allow them tlie
freight rate increase they ask for.'
"An immediate objection is raised by the private citi
zen. Tie arirucs that if we stopped the looting of the rail
roads bv hiirhbinders of finance the roads would have all
the money they need. This point is quickly disposed of by
the merchant, vhr has studied the question from many
angles. He is well fortified with facts and authoritative
information.
"The plight of the railroads should not be judged by a
few conspicuous cases of flagrant abuse. True, the pir
ates of finance have worked havoc among certain railroads.
In doing so they have brought distrust and misconception
on the whole structure of railway organization and man
agement. The result has been a lot of governmental regu
lation some wise and some decidedly unwise. 2sTo dis
crimination is shown between honestly conducted railroads
and the other kind.
"In addition to federal supervision the states individ
ually have taken a hand in regulating the railroads. Like
wise the states have soaked the railroads good and plenty
for' taxes the idea being that the more a state gets out of
the railroad the less it will have to ask in direct taxation.
"All this activity of tho different governing bodies has
added great expense to the railroads. Wage increases have
gone on apace. But the revenue lias been steadily cut by
reductions in rates. The railroads have passed the margin
of safety between income and outgo.
"The number of employes js reduced wherever pos
sible. Buying of supplies is curtailed. Improvements arc
tabooed. 'Dividends are cut. Thousands of small investors
suffer reduced income's. Thirty railroads are now in re
ceivers' hands. Others arc passing dividends whilo some
pay dividends out of surplus that should go for extensions.
1 ' The rich feel the effect as well as the poor, Passing of
dividends and default of interest reduce incomes for the
well-to-do. This brings curtailment of expenses, often
rigid economy. Servants are laid off. Purchases at shops
and stores are cut down. Bills are allowed to run. Build
ing and business investments are refused. All this helps
to cause dull business.
"To settle for all time the exact status of railroad capi
talization in this country, the government is now under
taking a comprehensive work of determining the physical
valuation of all the properties.
"Capitalization has a bearing on rates. But wo don't
want to wait until the physical valuation of railroads is
completed some five years hence. We want prosperity
now. J
"When we bear in mind that tho railroads are owned
by the plain people of the United States, a different atti
tude can be assumed to this great industry. There are
about one and a half million individm.il holders of railroad
stocks and bonds, with an overwhelming proportion of
them our own countrymen. One million more own stock
in corporations depending on the, railroads, Vav tho most
part they arc folks in ordinary circumstances.
"Nearly two million are employed by the railroads.
About one million more work for industries directly de
pendent upon the railroads for business.
"Since the average family consists of five persons, some
fifteen million people look to the railroads for their daily
bread. Railroad prosperity then vitally affects one out of
every seven of the country's total population.
"Selling transportation is like any other business. Suc
cess requires a fair profit. Without a profit the railroad
fails. When outgo exceeds income the road wipes out its
profit and runs at a loss. To prevent this, rigid economies
must be enforced. That is the situation today. Cutting
down oxpeuses means laying off men and curtailing the
supplies which in turn compels laying off more moiv cm
ployed' by tho supply firms.
"Vast improvements are needed. Extensions should
bo added to develop important sections rich in their re
sources. Steady increase in traffic requires more locomo
tives, rolling stock, trackage, terminal facilities and other
equipment. All of which requires a largo outlay of addi
tion capital.
" Wlierq to got that capital is now a problem that defies
solution. Net earnings are steadily going down. They are
already so small that dividend rates arc now below the
market value of money used in other fields. Railroad
credit is therefore undermined. Great projects for exten
sion and betterment are postponed. Tho multitudo of
3lEDFOET5 MATT) TRIBUNE.
- ' - ' ' ' ' r T i I .J
BAC& PROSPERITY
from manufacturer to jobber
working man.
amDFCteD, OttKOOX, TUKSDAT.
workvrs are denied tliis chance of employment. iMntoriuJ
eoncorUs are paralyzed until normal progress in railroad
building is resumed.
"This country is fundamentally sound, Cor we have had
wonderful crops' and these are bringing good prices. Tho
nation is at peace. Foreign trade opportunities are open
ing up. Tho financial system has passed through the com
bined war and legislative crises in fine shape. No na
tional disaster has occurred and our natural resources are
unimpaired.
"The weakness of the business situation must therefore
be of an industrial nature.
"The American railway system is the great business
generating dynamo of our commercial machinery. J t sup
plies current that revolves many other industries. Speed
up the railroads to normal capacity and you speed up all
those industries directly or indirectly dependent.
"We can rely on tho railroads working with the inter
state commerce' commission to properly equalize the ad
vance so as not to injure either localities, commodities or
individuals. The day of unfair, willful discrimination is
past. From some angles the rate increase theoretically
may or may not be justified. But from the practical stand
point it is not only advisable, but imperative and it must
come at once.
"So let us support the rate increase in a broad spirit of
fair play and intelligent, co-operation for- the common
good.
"IT it is true that our legislation is deficient, by all
means let congress change the laws at once. These should
not only allow, but compel action necessary to the welfare
of the people.
"To that end you are asked to use your influence, by
writing your senator or representative. Immediate con
certed effort is necessary to secure results. So it will help
materially to lay the fact's before your friends and ask their
influence.
"A business crisis is at hand may we meet it squarely
and successfully."
MAIL ORDER FACTraSSING
AMONG PEOPLE OF MIDDLE WEST
Old Style "Storekeeper" Class of
Merchants Resoonsible fcr Mush
room Growth of Catalogue Houses
Education of Consumer Restores
Vast Volume of Business.
Ily David Powell.
(Opvrijjht, HU I.)
There i perlinpi no section of the
country in which tho Inrse inuil or
der houses of tho eastern cities- Imve
enjoyed jrreater pntromip' tlmn in
the territory I'ommonly enlled tho
middle went. It was in that fertile
field .some twenty years. ago that their"
founder first Mitiphl to eMulilMi the
habit of mail-order buying, and that
tliev were rvninrknblv suceesifitl in
so doiii is attested by the phenom
enal growth they mnde, and tile rapid
development nnd almost universal
adoption of tho practice throughout
that region. For a number of years
mail order buying was the jwpular
"fad," followed by everyone, rich
nnd poor, regardless of the desolate
trail of community disaster it wns
bound to leave in ils wake.
C'uro IVwl for Disease
Having learned from various
sources that the fnd seems somewhat
to have, abated in that district during
the past few years, and thnt there
wero many commimilie's which
seemed to evidence some signs of re
turning life. I resolved on a trip
throuirli the affected clmntry to learn
as to actual eonditions. both at and '
present, and to find out by first hand
evidenco what particular kind of
medicine and what sized doses had
been used in effecting a "cure."
The firt thing that seemed most
essential for me o determine was the
primary cause leading up to the rapid
development of the practice,
I found it to have been due to con
ditions that modern business meth
ods no longer pennit to c.Nt there or
elsewhere in the Tailed States.
Cause of This Km!
Up until twenty or twenty-five
ycar ago, aiioiii mo time, quicwir mm
cheaper means of eommunicatiou iimi
transportation set tho people nil over
tho country clamoring for more and
more of the luxuries and conven
iences of civilization,- the mercantile
business in Hie. smaller cities nd
towns of the country was conducted
along lines and bv methods entirely
different from IIiom. of today. The
transition from the old oi'der to life
new wits remarkably rapid, but' even
so, it was many years before tho
course of modern progress cleaned
thoship of commerce of tho barnacled
of deceit and ciooked dealing that
had accumulated under tho' old, easy
going seemed in voguo before the
change.
Followed Old Hut
Owing to ninny conditions peculiar
ly favorable lo llicir growth,, the old,
John A. Perl
TJNDERTAKim,
Lid? AHliUBt
m 8. nAiiTMcrr
kmmnum rvU Vtvmtf Ontww
i,
of merchants more fittiu&ly de
scribed as ''storckeeiters" who fol
lowed the same old nit year in and
car out ami relimouslv adhered to
the good old ssem of taking "all
the t raft n will bear." During the
process of commercial evolution their
narrow ision enabled them to lead
the signs of the times and they drift
ed along into the new order on the
easy tide of a suffering iople' tol
ernnee, refusing to admit there wus
anv cause or reason why they should
chance the methods they aiiir their
commercial ancestors had followed so
long.
To these men and their methods
was due the remarkable growth of
the mail order business', and it is to
their kind, a few of whom are yet
to be found in ecry town the country
over impeding the wheels of eomhior
einl progress, that is due the diffi
culty the repntnhle class of merchants
find ill removing from the mind of the
consumer the barrier of distrust so
Carelessly built by their forebears iu
thn past, and so zealously fostered
by tho mail order bouse of the
present.
1IIk J'or Innovation
When the large catalogue houses
first crfeeted their wonderful selling
system and put itto work, conditions
were ripe for just such au innovation
and the people were iu just the mood
to bo gathered by thousands l the
banner of this new defender of "their
Don't Merely "Stop"
.Cough
op he Thin that CnaaU
ad lap Cough Will
stop iifir
vmGfmssGfSfa&tt&masxx.
m A cough g mil? one of our bt
.friend. It warn um that there n In
llumiiiHtion or ohtructiou in a dnnscp
oiik piuce. uirreiore. wiien vou uot a
lind couuli don't proceed to dope yonine!
wuri n lot oi iiniH iimi merely "iioti
the cough temporarily by deude'iilnjrt)
pt of drugs that merely "itop"
II leiiilioriirliv liv flrai!cnlnf llm
inioai nerves,
lnllami-d men
r. Trent'tlm rnuw lieil thn
oniliruiief. Ileio in it hpniiv
niitile remedy tliutevls rlulit ut the caiiHo
and will iiiuke uii
inuke an obntinutA roouh vaiiluli
more ipilckly tliuu 3011 ever tnouulit pm-
Hihlc.
Put
2'4 oiiuqe of Plncx (.10 rmi
l:
worth) in a pint bottle' und fill the bolt
wmi pia
III lrilllllllltfd Kiiuar HVrun. Thin
glvcByoti a full plat of tfiu mot pleaaunt
unil cfieetlvij cough remedy you ever lined,
at a tout of only fit renin. ' No bother to
prepare. Full direction with Plncx.
It, licaU the Inflamed membrane ho
geniiv iimi promptly that vm wonder
llOW It docs It. AUo loOHeim u ilrv. Iinurun
Ioom'iis u dry, jipiirno
!nnH tint fnrtmif Inn .if
or tiitlit eoiiuli nnd stops tlie foriimtiori of
phlegm In the throat and lirnnehlul tuhc.
Hum ending the I'mnUtcnt Iooho eough.
Pinex Is n highly eonccntrnted com-
pound of .Norway plnu extract, rleh.1
xtnicl, rlcjc In
Mia unrlrl nvr
yuuiuioi, finii i inmoiiH tlie worm
for its healing effect on the membraricH.
Tn nvnlil
disappointment, auk your
druairlHt for "214 ounces of Plncx
x," ami
llfl. ,,.H ....... I. t...- .1... A ......i....
pf HMoluto M.il Infliction, or money prompt
ly refunded, goes with thin preparation.
..' 1. .Mtvi'v '. mill" rie, n Kiuiruiiivti
1 ne rinvx co., 11. wuync, iin.
Got Your Noxt Bult of
T7"LOTHES
J3LL E I N
rrtiarts fafl.oo up
Aluo Cleaiilnfe, Proaalug and Altering
VM K. Main, liUlr
DKOFiMnKR
11 'i
a i
u 5
i
iCtW
mil
syslcin hud deVeloied u- Int'gu t'hts
piUM sliingH, wTionh every prduttso
glittered with the luve of gdhleu re
lief. A is usual Iu all inoU'incnls of u
Hprtlur nutilie, tho people went to
.tho utmost e.Nlieme of folly in tlie use
of their new-found power. The fad
spread oyer hull' a ddcu Hinted like
11 prairie lire, ituil wrought irrepar
able dauulge In all Hues of com
merce, Injuring the reputable merch
ant class ns well us those who wcio
to blaniii for it all.
Kdiiruilod Needed
Although modern business methods
hud by Ibis time been universally
adopted by Ihe progressive merchant
class throughout the affected district,
for utility years they struggled along
in the dark vainly groping about for
some way to cheek till' never-ending
stream of money flowing pilst their
doors. Many were the schemes and
pluiis they tried and discarded before
the fact became apparent that only
by educating the people to sec for
themselves the truth about mail older
competition, could they succeed in re
gaining their lost business.
Wherever this fact has been real,
ized nnd the uieivhants have diligent
ly worked along these lines, the mail
order fad is on the wane and com
mereial piosritv again established.'
I do not wish to be undcrrtlood ns
imylng that the mull order hUHluec .
of tho country Is declining, for that
would he untrue. What I do menu, '
In that there l no town nor city
with ordinary nlilpplng fncllrtles,
which still retains a spark or com
munity pride mid n few live wire clt
liens, hut thnt ran hold Its own
against any commercial ndvernnry. 1
Quality considered, any up to date
country merchant can meet mnll
order competition. It Is simply n(
question or getting the consumer to
convince hlmceir of thnt fact by
means of comparative Investigation.
Mnoy Towns Klll.sl
There are hundreds of towns,
though, that 1 haw vlNlted thnt lack
even thorn' two esuentlal features;
they are strlekeii beyond nil hopn of
recovery, and are steaoity dwindling
In population and commercial pro
Use, Their only excuHo for further
existence Irf to serve ns cruiuhllilR
relics of a by-Roin commercial one!
their storekeepers prototype 01
thoHO whd, by their nnr'owncM nnd
peuily-grasplnR buidr.oin methods
paved tho wuv and made welcome
the first catalogue sent to their
town. Thoy present lo the eye a si
lent, gvlin, array of empty store
buildings and deserted streets that
give mute witness to the apathetic
Incompelenco of tho mcrchunu Iu
IT THEATRE
TONIGHT
VAUDEVILLE
Fredrik the Great Magician
Also Photo Play Program unexcelled. "Our Mutual
Girl," "Shorty's Sacrifice," two-reel Broncho. Seo
the hand-to-hand fight with tramps, who almost take
the train.
"THOSE HAPPY DAYS"
Unexcelled Koystono Comedy
Children, 10c. Adults, 15c
Monday nnd Tuesday
Evenings, 7 o'clock
The Judge's Wife
A thrto'-ipart photoplay featuring Neva Gorvor, the
delightful little leading-lady of tho "White Star Stock
Company
Through Fire and Water
Two
Another Box
One On Professor fiiiggs
Comedy
Hear the Largo
Page Theatre Orchestra
,',
Admission, 5o, 10c, 16c
r
fholr reluctance to look th truth
Hlialght Iu tint I life and thn uiiwlll
luguesii of tlteli1 ninth lllto braliiH to
put forth tho effort necoHsitry lo
udapl their IiuhIuchs methods to the
chiut(ed conditions of modern com
merce. In hUphy contrast to silcli scenes
of community desolation, and In con
vincing phmf of tho potency of edu
cation, arc tho ninny towitH, scatter
ed hero mid there over the imnto ter
ritory, whoso commercial prosperity
clearly proves the fact that tho mail
order fad Is pausing lo tho land of Itn
birth. Their store buildings nro
nil occupied! thulr people mo1 bust
ling and happy; and (hey have tho
general appenrauro of belli the com
munity expression f pride, stability
and contentment.
CooKiathe Truth Telling
I'pon 111 living lu such a city and
noting these prosperous conditions
that wore lu such marked, contrast
to those prevalent elsewhere, my
first thought would always be that
the enjoyment of some exceptionally
tContlitued on l.nut Pane.)
STAR
TODAY
Fast IUm oiuliij; I'amous
Hearst-Selig News
THE
JINGLE
Will.
George Nash
Gail Kane
Ami the Author
Mr. Upton Sinclair
5 Bin Acts 230 Powerful Scenes
A Tonsorial
Leopard Tamer
Selic Coined v
THE PAGE
Medford's Leading Theatre
Acts.
Offico Feature
.' b (
ta,f