Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 38, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 January 1906 — PAPERS BY. THE PEOPLE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

PAPERS BY. THE PEOPLE

By John A. M'Call,

FEDERAL SUPERVISION OF INSURANCE. *

President New York Lite.

On the subject of federal regulation of life/ insurance in the United States one might make the reference as brief as the famous chapter on shakes in Ireland by saying there is no such thing as federal regulation of life insurance In the United States, but because such regulation is eminently dosirable I am minded to say a word with respect to it. The act-of the Fffty-seventb Congress, authorizing the establishment of a department of commerce and labor may open the way for presentation of

q iiiuj vuv u *-v/Jl vovuiulivu vjl the Issues Involved. The bureau of commerce has already proved of great assistance to insurance companies transacting business in foreign countries, and if its work should in some way bring about a review -of the disputed questions with an affirmative result a great and permanent service will have been rendered to insurance Interests. Federal regulation of life insurance could be made to secure for every policy holder all the benefits now secured by the best State regulation of the business and without the crudity and the enormous expense involved in its regulation by forty odd insurance departments under our present •ystem.

SCEPTER OP COMMERCE IN AMERICAN CONTROL.

By Vice President Fairbanks.

The scepter of commercial power is speedily passing into American control. If we are but true to the vast opportunities which lie at our hands, the United States will become the acknowledged leader in the commerce of the world. The conquest, will be achieved by the men of trade and not by the men of war. It will come 'by an irresistible law of commercial gravity. It will come because of our increased productive

capacity; because of our superior ability to supply the needs of others; because of the illimitable resources of our farms, mines and factories; because of multiplied methods and enlarged facilities of cheap transportation from the centers of production down to the seaboard. • We take pride in our commerce because It tends to lift the country to a higher and better level. It tends to equalize conditions. It enlarges thq, opportunity of labor and capital, and gives our people more homes and fills them with more of the comforts of life. It brings communities and trade centers together in common interest A higher civilization follows in its pathway. While we are a commercial people, we are not subservient to commercialism. We seek to expand commerce as a means, not as an ends* We seek its conquests that we may minister to those’high aspirations which are the birthright of the Anglo-Saxon race.

STRIKING OIL IS RISKY BUSINESS.

By J. N. Ashton.

“Striking oil” still is one of the most meaningful phrases used in the vernacular of modern Investment. It is at once the safest and the riskiest proposition that can appeal to the capitalist. The spouting well is in the fireworks stage of the business—otherwise, speculative stage; not till it has settled down to respond to the pumps for nt least twelve mouths does the careful investor begin to consider its dividend paying cer-

tainties. “Too much oil” was the first bf Texas experiences. The greatest flow of oil In the history of drilling was from the Lucas well, which, from a depth of 1,025 feet, threw oil 180 feet into the air, at the rate of 70,000 barrels in twentyfour hours. A lake of 900,000 barrels was formed from the unchecked overflow; stretching a mile or more from the derrick. Crude oil dropped from $1 a barrel to 1 cent a barrel, while water held strong at 25 cents a barrel. The

lake became such a menace that it was decided to burn It. When this, was done, and when the insane ideas regarding the impossible vastness of the deposits had been shaken sufficiently, the investors began to have hopes of dividends. Considered geologically, nearly all the great oil fields of the United States are within the belt that starts in New York and trending southwest at an angle of 45 degrees, takes in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee. The Kansas belt starts near-the-city of Chanute, In that State, -and along. n iine at the same angle southwest are the southwestern Kansas fields, the Indian Territory and the’ Texas fields. There are men who hffve made more money in oil within Uvo years than they made In mercantile and financial ventures in a quarter of a century. As to how much money thousands of young plungers have lost in the aggregate in that time—that is altogether another story. But it Is largely their own fault, as they plunge in without exp* rience or-careful thought

REMEDY FOR MUNICIPAL ROTTENNESS.

By Gov. J. W. Folk.

The most conspicuous fact of municipal governments in the United States to-day is that they are governments by the few and not by the people. There is more aggressive rottenness and less aggressive patriotism in our large cities than anywhere else. If the patriotism can be made as aggressive as the rottenness the problem of good government would be solved by the people taking the government into their own hands. If

corruption exists the people are to blame. If corruption is to be eradicated the people alone can do ft ’ The moral revolution now sweeping over the land means the patriotism that comes from the heart, not from the head. Many men would be willing, if need be, to give up their lives for their city or State. They are needed sometimes, and this kind of patriotism cannot be too highly commended, but the man who is willing to live for his city and State every day is the man that is needed Just now. There may be as much patriotism in giving one’s time to the betterment of civic conditions and the election of good men to office and in purifying the ballot as in baring one’s breast to the bullets Of an enemy. , There never was a time when the need for patriotic men in public affairs was greater than now. We need more men actuated alone by the public good and fewer of those who are in politics merely for revenue. The strength of the lawless element is great, but it is as nothing when it' comes In contact with a public conscience thoroughly aroused. The people can overthrow civic evil whenever they want to and get just as good government as they desexwe or as bad as they permit it to become.

ALL IN A DAY’S WOKK.

By Juliet V. Strauss.

It is marvelous that a woman’s family will work against her when they should see that she is sacrificing herself on the altar of home. But they will do It. Few families there are Indeed who do not “tear down” what the mother has with patience and fortitude built up. Every housekeeper has certain little cranky notions that there really is no use of her holding

to, but It does seem as if she ought to have things as she wants them in her own workshop. I think men have an idea that women complain a great deal about their work. I don’t know about that. I do know a number of lazy women, but my idea about the matter is that the vast majority of us do entirely too much without ever Baying a word. When we reach the complaining stage it is a pretty sure sign that the Wonderful strength and force-that has kept us up so long is on the wane. A woman’s complaint of overwork is nearly always a danger signal —women are often cruelly overworked without even knowing it.

JOHN A. M'CALL.