Railroad Control and Russian Unrest
The gross income of the railroads of the United States for the year 1904 was $1,966,633,821. The gross income of the United States Government for the year 1903 was a little more than one-third of that amount. One of the most important questions now before the people of this country is the control of the railroads. The trusts realize this, and are securing a firmer grip on these industries than ever before. It has just been made public that the Standard Oil Company has secured a controlling interest in another of the greatest railroads of the country, and has put its own men in official positions in that corporation. The labor troubles in Russia are still serious, but it is the rising tide of revolution that is most feared by the officials. Rumor after rumor comes from correspondents in Russia, that the government is thinking seriously of making peace with Japan; that it is the definite intention to do so as soon as Kuropatkin's army has obtained one substantial victory. There is some indication that General Kuropatkin may be recalled. At least, powerful influences are working to that end. It is said that the czar's purpose to grant additional reforms has been again frustrated by the ducal party. The Procurator-General of Finland, the highest Russian religious official in that country, was assassinated at his home at Helsingfors, Finland, on February 6. The assassin was wounded by the son of his victim, and was captured. This is the second notable assassination in Finland since Russia began to restrict the liberties of the Finnish people. The new premier of France has announced his policy. He will stand, among other things, for the separation of church and state, as did his predecessor. The Vatican is said to be pleased with the change, as it believes that he will be milder in his attitude toward the church than was Premier Combes. The town of Valparaiso, Indiana, has declared its intention to close up completely on Sunday. This is the outcome of a ministerial crusade which has been carried on for some time. No secular business of any kind is to be allowed. Even the telephone office and the post-office must be closed. The Florida orange crop has been frozen on the trees, and it is feared that many of the trees, also, have been killed by the frost. The damage will be enormous. Florida's vegetable gardens, also, have felt the effects of the frost, and have suffered to the extent of many thousands of dollars. The Rouvier Ministry of France has presented to the Chamber of Deputies the draft of a new bill for the separation of church and state. It is said to contain all the essential provisions of the former bill. Its first provision is for the abolition of the concordat between France and the Vatican. Germany has long had its Catholic (Center) Party. A strong Catholic party is said now to have been organized in England for the purpose of securing more favorable legislation, especially for Catholic schools. It aims to secure at least a partial support of its schools by the government. There is a reign of terror in two of the provinces of the Philippines through the depredations of two bands of ladrones. Sympathizers with the American regime have been killed, mutilated, carried off, and their property destroyed. Martial law has been declared in these provinces. The gas mains and water mains of New York City are said to be in imminent danger of being destroyed by electrolysis, so heavy are the currents of electricity that are being allowed to pass into the ground. The effect of these currents is to disintegrate the iron. During the past week severe storms have raged over the greater portion of the United States, greatly interfering with transportation and telegraph communication. For a time New York harbor was nearly blocked with floating ice. The Legislature of the state of California has furnished a scandal for the state. Four senators are accused of taking bribes to shield certain firms from investigation, and the trial of these senators is now on. The largest diamond ever found was discovered recently near Pretoria, South Africa. The stone weighs 3,032 karats, and is valued at $4,000,000. The Government is planning a school at Carlisle, Pa., in which to teach young Indians to become effective soldiers for the regular army. The House has passed the railway rate bill, whose purpose is to regulate rates that may be charged by the railways of the country. A wave of revival is sweeping over Great Britain, and seems to be gaining force as it proceeds.