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THIS WEEK'S OUTLOOK

A WEEKLY OUTLINE STUDY OF CURRENT HISTORY1
BY J. MADISON GATHANY

SCARBOROUGE SCHOOL, SCARBOROUGH-ON-HUDSON, N. Y.

The Philippines: Should They equilibrium while there is a wrecked

W

be Independent?

HEN the Philippine Islands came under the control of the United States, were the Filipinos promised independence at some future time? If not, has any official promise been made to them concerning their independence since 1898?

Does recent history show that the United States withdrew from Cuba prematurely? Do you think the Filipinos are any better prepared for complete independence than the Cubans?

Should the Filipinos have a common language and common customs before independence is granted them?

The American Merchant Marine Law of 1920, to go into effect probably February 1, 1922, carries with it a clause providing for the extension of the coastwise laws of the United States to the Philippine Islands. There are leading Filipinos who believe that this indicates that the United States Government is not contemplating their independence. Can you see why they should think so? If you were a Filipino, what objections to this extension of the coastwise laws might you raise?

If the United States should grant independence to the Philippine Islands at the present time, what results do you think would follow? What facts have you to back up your statements?

Different phases of the Philippine issue are considered in the March and April, 1921, numbers of the magazine entitled "Current History," and the Merchant Marine Law of 1920 is adversely criticised by an alert and highly intelligent young Filipino in the "Century Magazine" for December, 1920.

A first-class book on the Philippines is that by D. C. Worcester entitled "The Philippines Past and Present" (Macmillan).

René Viviani

It is evident that the French people in France are under the impression that America has undergone a change of attitude toward France since the close of the World War. If you were a Frenchman living in France, what might lead you to the same conclusion?

If you were talking with René Viviani, what things would you mention that would tend to prove to him that America remains unchanged in her loyalty to France?

Of what value do you consider the visit to America of such a man as René Viviani?

Does it seem to you that M. Viviani speaks correctly when he says that "the world cannot be in a condition of

1 These questions and comments are designed not only for the use of current events classes and clubs, debating societies, teachers cf history and English, and the like, but also for discus sion in the home and for suggestions to ny ader who desires to study current affairs as ell as to read about them.-The Editors.

France"? What are your reasons?

Do you think our Senate should ratify the French-British-American agreement arranged while President Wilson was in Europe?

The Labor Crisis in
Great Britain

For what reasons is the present labor situation in Great Britain considered a crisis?

Do you justify or condemn the British miners for striking? Would it be right for a national law to be made prohibiting strikes in essential industries? What would it mean to nationalize industry? Do you believe in nationalizing industries?

Would the nationalization of industries solve labor disputes in them and do away with strikes?

Could or could not nationalized industries be kept out of politics? What is your explanation?

The Trial of the Single Tax in China

This topic is a good one to serve as a basis of a study in the fundamentals of taxation.

Whence the name single tax?

Some economic reformers believe that the single tax universally adopted would solve our taxation problem and bring in sufficient money to pay all public expenses. What is their argument?

What reasons have you for believing

CONTRIBUTORS'

GALLERY

RAVERS D. CAB

TRAVER

MAN was General Wood's aide during his recent campaign for nomination for the Presidency. Mr. Carman was associ ated with Theodore Roosevelt in a simi lar capacity during the Roosevelt Presidential campaign of 1912. Mr. Carman has been on the staff of The Outlook since his graduation from Princeton; he is Advertising Director.

LAURENCE LA TOURETTE DRIGGS has con

tributed frequently to The Outlook on subjects of aviation.

E

DITH LACY was born in Virginia of Northern parents; she is now living in New York. Her father was an officer in the United States Army. She was educated abroad and does magazine, newspaper, and editorial research work. T. COE is president and treasurer

W. of the Kensington flour mills of

Kensington, Minnesota.

LORENCE J. MILLER lived among the

Fnatives of the Philippines for about

nine years. Her knowledge of the native dialects and her ability to observe accurately afforded her exceptional opportunities to know these peoples and to write about them with authority. Her husband was Captain Miller, of the United States Regulars, who was Governor of the Province of Palawan for about ten years, and who lost his life in the Philippines about ten years ago. Mrs. Miller is now with the Civil Service Commission in Washington.

or not believing their argument to be WILLIAM C. GREGG has contributed

sound?

If the single tax were generally adopted, would all but those who own land be entirely free from taxation?

How are tax rates in your community determined? How are the taxes collected?

Who bears the burden of a tax on buildings? On land? Who bears the burden of a revenue tariff? An inheritance tax? An income tax?

various correspondence from Europe to recent issues of The Outlook. He is President of a company in Hackensack, New Jersey, manufacturing car and railway equipment.

ELIA CATHCART HOLTON (Mrs. C. A.
Holton, lives in London, Ohio.

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What is a just tax? Do you know of A Superintendent of the Moro Agri

any taxes that are not just? If so, why do you consider them unjust?

What is the benefit theory of taxation? The ability theory? Which, in your opinion, is the more acceptable?

Why are taxes less in number and lower in China than in the United States? Are low taxes best for a country?

What comparisons can you make between taxes in China and in the United States?

Have the foreign Powers a right to permit China to charge only a five per cent duty on imports?

Two well-worth-while books on China are those entitled "The Development of China," by K. S. Latourette (Houghton Mifflin), and "China; Her History, Diplomacy, and Commerce from the Earliest Times to the Present Day," by E. H. Parker (Dutton).

cultural School at Indanangs, on the island of Jolo, Philippines. He was one of the only two white men who have lived unarmed among the Moros on the island. He recently left the Philippines for his home in Ohio, via India.

ERMANN HAGEDORN, JR., has contrib

Heated Frequently to The Outlook

His volume entitled "The Boys' Life of Theodore Roosevelt" has won and deserved widespread attention. He was one of the founders of the Vigilantes. He was once an instructor of English at Harvard. He is the author of numerous plays, books of verse, and novels.

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TN the early days, the use of soft wood in this country was largely confined to one or two species. They happened to be good all-purpose woods.

Toward the close of the last century a number of new woods, which had up to that time been used only locally, came into the general market.

These woods are of many kinds, with numerous grades of each kind.

As these new woods came along they were used everywhere that the older known species had been used. For some purposes the new woods proved the equal of the old; for certain very important purposes, supe rior; where they failed, it was because they were used in the wrong service.

Out of the experience of the last twenty years there has accumulated a scientific knowledge of the fitness of the different woods for particular uses that can be helpful to every user of wood.

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What we advocate is conservation and

economy through the use of the right wood in its proper place.

To this end we will supply to lumber dealers and to the public, any desired information as to the qualities of the different species and the best wood for a given purpose.

This service will be as broad and im

partial as we know how to make it. We are not partisans of any particular species of wood. We advise the best lumber for the purpose, whether we handle it or not.

From now on the Weyerhaeuser Forest Products trade-mark will be plainly stamped on our product.

When you buy lumber for any purpose, no matter how much or how little, you can look at the mark and know that you are getting a standard article of known merit.

Weyerhaeuser Forest Products are distributed through the established trade channels by the Weyerhaeuser Sales Company, Spokane, Washington, with branch offices and representatives throughout the country.

WEYERHAEUSER FOREST PRODUCTS SAINT PAUL MINNESOTA

Producers of Douglas Fir, Western Hemlock, Washington Red Cedar and Cedar Shingles on the Pacific Coast; Idaho White Pine, Western Soft Pine, Red Fir and Larch in the Inland Empire; Northern White Pine and Norway Pine in the Lake States.

·

From the Sahara to the Ritz

IN THE TENT of a Bedouin on the sands of Sahara, or over the counter of the Ritz in London-as fare on a junk in Hong Kong Harbor, or on an American PullmanAmerican Express Travelers Cheques

Are Good As Gold

BETTER THAN GOLD since they are never questioned, never discounted and safe because they are worthless without your countersignature of identification.

THEY ARE GOOD for much more than gold-these sky blue slips of paper with the magical name of the American Express Company across the face. They are letters of introduction to the best influences anywhere. Each one of them is backed by the helpful and personal service of the American Express Company's world organization. With thousands of correspondents all over the world and offices in the principal seaports and inland cities, this service to travelers is unique and supreme. There is nothing like it. Many thousands of appreciative letters attest its magical value to the stranger in a strange land. It is this service, added to their unique money value, their safety value, which makes the Travelers Cheques of the American Express Company supreme. WHEREVER YOU GO-before you go-change your money. Insure it against loss. And above all give it the magical value guaranteed by this service-sky blue in color, true blue in sentiment.

FOR TRAVELERS in Great Britain or France, 5 and 10 £ Sterling and French 200 and 400 Franc Cheques are best. They are proof against fluctuating exchange, and unscrupulous money dealers. In the United States and Canada the Dollar Cheques. Buy them at Express Offices or your own Bank.

AND FOR ALL JOURNEYS you can secure your steamship tickets, hotel reservations and itineraries, or plan your cruise or tour, through the American Express Travel Department.

American Express Company

65 Broadway, New York City

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A CORRECTION

WAS glad to receive Ten Eyck's ar ticle on "Uncle Sam's Tin Halo" an highly appreciate all that he said there!:, with the exception of the misstateme: contained on page 726, that there was: period of one year nine months a twenty-eight days between my receipt c credentials from President Wilson ar the time when I took over the post i Buenos Aires.

President Wilson did not appoint m until August, 1914, and I was uncon firmed by the Senate until Septembe 30, in the same year. I was then i England, but proceeded at once to Wash ington, where I received my appoint ment from the President on October 14 although it is dated October 1, 1914 Owing to the war, it was almost impos sible to get a ship to Buenos Aires. T.only English liner having been sunk b a German warship, I had to wait some weeks. I then proceeded by a slow Brazilian boat to Rio de Janeiro; from thence I made my way on a French steamer here. But I arrived here on January 1, 1915, and presented myself at the Foreign Office, so that, instead of there being one year nine months and twenty-eight days between my appointment and my arrival at my post, there was only one month and sixteen days.

As you probably know, the ordinary time for a voyage from New York here is from three to four weeks, and the steamers did not go oftener than once in two months. F. J. STIMSON.

Buenos Aires, January 15, 1921.

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THE PACKER AND THE
LITTLE BUTCHER

HE OUTLOOK of March 16 prints a let

Tter under the heading "The Meat

Bill and the Little Butcher." This letter questions an article by Sherman Rogers entitled "The Nation's Meat Bill," and says that "the little butcher' made the pork into bacon for fifteen cents per pound, and to-day the packers charge three times as much for making eightcent pork into bacon." This letter also charges that the packers have used illegitimate methods in building up their business and that they are "abusing the control which they enjoy."

We have looked up some of Swift & Company's old price lists and we find that, while during the panic of 1907-08 live hogs got down to 4 cents in Chicago, our standard brand of bacon, in ten to twelve pound pieces, sold wholesale at that time at 124 cents a pound. or 2.6 times the price of live hogs. Today the price of hogs in Chicago is 10 cents and the same brand and weight of bacon is selling wholesale for 22 cents a pound, or only 2.1 times the price of live hogs. In other words, the price of this standard brand of bacon is lower at wholesale as compared with the price of live hogs to-day than it was thirteen years ago.

The very choice bacon of course sells for more than 221⁄2 cents a pound to-day In fact, the wholesale price of Premium bacon is from 36 to 44 cents, depending on weight and thickness, the lighter and

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higher-priced hogs. But this does not represent any wasteful method of production or any abuse of power. In the first place, the public itself has come to differentiate in the past twenty years, so that the very choicest products bring more, as compared with the price of live hogs, while the less desirable products bring less in proportion. In other words, the spread between the prices of the choicest products is greater to-day than it used to be years ago. The net result of operations, so far as profit is concerned, has not changed appreciably, except that it has been running lower than normal for the past year or two. This profit averages only a fraction of a cent per pound of all pork products.

Another factor to be taken into consideration is the great increase in packing-house costs that has taken place during the past few years. This tends to widen the spread between live animal prices and dressed meat prices. This is especially important in the case of such a product as Premium bacon, because there is additional expense attached to the proper curing and smoking of this product. The meat also has to be carefully selected and properly trimmed. Only four per cent of the total weight of all hogs we buy is ever marketed in the form of Premium bacon.

We had not noticed that the "little butcher" had been driven out of business. We find that we have to compete with him in practically every town in the country. We are sure that our standard brands of bacon are superior to the average put out by the little butcher. At least, the country butcher's products vary greatly in quality; you never know what you are going to get. One other thing that it is worth while to know is that the products put out by the larger packers have been carefully inspected by Government inspectors, so that nothing but perfectly pure and healthful meat can ever get to the public. This is not true of the meat furnished by the "little butcher." You are at his mercy, in case diseased animals have been handled by him. It is Swift & Company's policy to put out nothing but clean and wholesome meats, but Government inspection furnishes a guaranty with respect to meats prepared in all houses that ship goods in inter-State commerce.

We know that your correspondent cannot substantiate his claim that we are "abusing" any power we have, or that we "control" the supply or anything else. Swift & Company has no agreement with any other packers, and we handle only fifteen per cent of the meat supply of the country, and less than twenty-five per cent of the quantity shipped in inter-State commerce. We have no power to control supply or to manipulate prices, which are determined by competition in open markets.

In view of the fundamental importance of many of the points treated in this letter, we are sure that your readers will be glad to have an opportunity to see it.

SWIFT & COMPANY.

Per L. D. H. WELD, Manager, Commercial Research Department.

Chicago.

The West calls

as vacation time nears

Four booklets that tell all about it

There's a land that never grows old-an Empire of Enchantment; sublime in its painted mountains, astounding in its roaring geysers, surprising in its glaciers, exquisite in its superbly-set lakes, beautified by gayly-colored wild flowers, unmatched in its outdoor recreation possibilities. And it is our West.

There the air is rich in "pep "-and tiredness leaves as if by magic. Nature unfolds a million moods, and contentment reigns. For delight, thrill, health-this year vacation in the glorious playgrounds of ourunforgetable West.

See Colorado-"The Playground of The Nation." Then, "hop" over the mountains into Utah-"The Promised Land." Or, go north and revel in the quiet of Rocky Mountain National - EstesPark.

Ride a "bronc" over trails in the Big Horns or the "Buffalo Bill" country in Wyoming, or rejuvenate in the Black Hills.

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Go through spectacular Yellowstone Park -in via the picturesque Gardiner Gateway and out over the Cody Road.

Stop off at romantic Glacier Park and witness a Blackfeet Indian pow-wow.

Know the charm of the Pacific Northwest -visit stupendous Mount Rainier and take that indescribable "look" into Crater Lake. Come back through California and feel the inspiration of the Yosemite.

These sights are all in your own dear America -all reached by Burlington service. Go, when and where your fancy dictates, one way and return vía a different route-at no added cost; stay as long as you like.

Burlington
Route

The National Park Line

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Send now for that well-illustrated, brim-full-of information booklet that describes the region which you elect to visit.

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SALT LAKE

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CITY SCENICKY

GRAND CANYON

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SANTA

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P. S. EUSTIS Passenger Traffic Manager C. B. & Q. R. R., Chicago

MINNEAPOUS ST PAUL

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+

The Financial Department is prepared to furnish information regarding standard investment securities, but cannot undertake to advise the purchase of any specific security. It will give to inquirers fts of record or information resulting from expert investigation, and a nominal charge of one dollar per inquiry will be made for this special service. All letters of inquiry should be addressed to THE OUTLOOK FINANCIAL DEPARTMENT, 381 Fourth Avenue, New York. EQUIPMENT TRUSTS

E

QUIPMENT obligations came into being originally as the result of the efforts of railway corporations to provide means of paying the builders of locomotives and cars for the rolling stock they manufactured and delivered. For a long time they have enjoyed high favor as investments with banks and institutions which want securities returning a high rate of income combined with safety and marketability. It has been only in comparatively recent years, however, that these kinds of securities have been sought to any extent by private investors. Yet, so far as we know, there is no case on record of

an owner of equipment obligations ever having suffered the loss of even a part of his investment.

The life of equipment trust obligations is generally a short one, seldom exceeding fifteen years from the date of issue until final maturity. Usually they mature serially, a certain proportion each year. Sometimes, however, as in the case of bonds, a sinking fund is provided, and the money used to buy outstanding certificates in the open market and retire them or for the purchase of additional equipment to be held as additional security. A large proportion of the equipment trust certificates issued

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THIS COMPANY, with its own
European branches and world-wide
banking connections, offers in its
Travelers Checks and Letters of
Credit safeguarded funds, available
the world over.

GUARANTY TRAVELERS CHECKS,
in convenient denominations, can
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GUARANTY LETTERS OF CREDIT are orders upon our correspondents throughout the world for funds and are also personal introductions.

These safe and convenient forms

of international money may be
obtained at banks. Ask your bank
or write to us for a booklet on
Guaranty Service to Travelers.

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