Current Mention

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 31, 1908

— According to the navy year-book, compiled by the clerk of the Senate navy committee, the United States navy now stands second only to that of Great Britain, having passed both France and Germany.

— The federal grand jury has begun an investigation of alleged rebating by the packing-houses of Chicago. One hundred subpoenas have been issued, following an investigation by the three agents of the interstate commerce commission. It is understood that this action is part of President Roosevelt’s plan to send some malefactors of great wealth to the penitentiary.

— Cipriano Castro, the now deposed president of Venezuela, who is at present in Germany for medical treatment, has issued a statement which virtually admits the loss of his position. The former vice-president, who has now assumed the presidency of the republic, has firmly established himself, and is making earnest efforts to bring his country again into friendly relations with the other nations of the world, especially with the United States, France, and Belgium. A number of American war-ships are now in Venezuelan waters, and the American minister is on his way to the Venezuelan capital to facilitate the resumption of diplomatic relations.

— The Russian ambassador to Italy died recently at Rome, under circumstances which indicate that he was the victim of a nihilist plot.

— December 23 Secretary Root signed an arbitration treaty with the representative of the government of Argentina, and also exchanged ratifications of the arbitration treaty between this country and Switzerland.

— The British government has found it necessary to pass a stringent law for India in an effort to stamp out the activity of certain native organizations whose purpose is the systematic assassination of British officials and the release of the country from British rule. Already a number of influential, wealthy Indians have been sent into exile because of their activity in stirring up discord.

— Seven councilmen and two bankers of the city of Pittsburg, Pa., have been arrested on charges of bribery and acceptance of bribes, and there are indications that others may be involved before the investigation is closed. Those who are in charge of the campaign of investigation state that a second raid will soon be made against councilmen and business men who are charged with corrupting the council. It has been practically established that $176,000 was paid councilmen for the selection of certain banks as depositories of the city’s funds.

— The supreme court of the State of Missouri issued a decree, December 23, ousting from that commonwealth the Standard Oil Company of Indiana, the Republic Oil Company of Ohio, and the Waters-Pierce Oil Company of Missouri, because of conspiracy between those companies to monopolize the oil business of the State. In addition to this, each of these companies have been fined $50,000. The last-named company will be given the privilege of continuing to do business in the State, if by March 1 it can show to the court that it has taken steps to operate as an independent concern, and has satisfied the judgment against it.

— Never since the history of labor unionism have its ranks been so stirred as during the past week, over the result of the trials of Pres. Samuel Gompers of the American Federation of Labor, John Mitchell, one of the vice-presidents, and Frank Morrison, secretary of the organization. Mr. Gompers was sentenced to twelve months in jail, Mr. Mitchell to nine months, and Mr. Morrison to six months. The defendants were tried for contempt of court in violating the order of the court respecting the attitude of labor unionists toward the Buck’s Stove Company of St. Louis, Mo. As a result of a strike of the employees of that concern the company had been blacklisted by the federation. In spite of the court’s order, the black-listing and boycotting of the stove company continued. Resistance of the court’s order was encouraged by the leaders of the federation. Since the sentencing of these men, labor organizations all over the country have been voicing their protests, and the spirit of the organizations would indicate that in case their leaders were actually imprisoned, there would be great likelihood of serious trouble. The case has been appealed, and will be carried up to the Supreme Court if the next higher court does not reverse the decision of the sentencing judge.