The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-12-28
Trouble in Washington About
Extra Pay For Soldiers.
Members of Twentieth Kansas
Regiment Got Two Months.
JACKSON INTERVIEWED
Kansas Congressman Talks
About His Latest Scheme.
Why He Favors Government
Ownership of Telegraphs.

Washington, Dec. 23.-It will be re-
that the Twentieth Kansas
(the most famous regiment In the an
nails of war in the United States) re-
ervices in the Philippines. Other regi-
ments which served there recently pc
titioned the court of claims for like pay
and were granted a favorable decision.
The war department, however, is not In
favor of granting the extra pay, and
has therefore appealed the case to the
supreme court of the United States
Congressman cks OF the Third
district has been interviewed by the
Washington Times regarding ms
the telegraphs, and some of his sobserva-
tons are given:
saThe advantages to be gained are
manifold. The present telegraph facili-
ties are not as great as they should be-
The government could place an offN e
in every p~oStofice in the ana
thereby. the farmer, the laborer, and the
mechanic could enjoy the service AT
present the offices are located where
they can make the most money. The
government does not aim at dividends,
but at efficient service. Lower charges
would b an imm ediate benefit to the
people,. Instead of a minimum charge
of Is cents, a 10 cent or even a 5 cent
rate would be preferable.
"As to the probable cost and expense,
nothing would be gained at this time by
making an timat My resolution
suggests a way by which VIC can obtain
accurate information. 1t has been esti-
mated by those who have given the
matter years of study that within hf-
teen or twenty years the government
would realize enough to pay for this
property and at the same time give the
people better facilities and at less cost.
"I am not yet ready to discuss the
manner of paying for the property. Let
us first commit the government to the
purchase. I am inclined, however, to
favor the issuance of bonds to make the
purchase, because they would involve
no additional taxation On the people,
and they would readily be k by the
banks for deposit as security for their
circulation"
There is an old Scotch proverb, I be-
lieve, which says 1t is better to let. a
sleeping dog lie,' but evidently Senator
Tom Plat has forgotten it. The char
acter sketch of the senator written by
William Allen White Will now be read
by additional thousands since the SEN
ator has threatened dire vengeance. In
Washington at this time the news stands
can not furnish a copy of the December
McClure's, which contains the sketch,
from his more tun neighbor. BY
the way, the literary features OF this
sketch are agreed to be Superb-much
above Whites usual b~rilliancy. 1t Is
well worth the reading and careful
study, even If one knew every line OF 1t
to be libelous. 1t fairly scintillates with
most telling phrases. Quite different In
literary merit is his sketch of Presi-
lent Roosevelt. Although the latter is
one OF the best subjects of modern
times for a sketch, his treatment of it
appears too commonplace One feels
that he would Xix to help the author
out in some places Yet, it must be
acknowledged that it is difficult to make
suggestions to William Allen White in
this respect, for he has no superior IN
character sketching, and he has not yet
done his best.
que of the wal department that