West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1905-01-05
OUR washington LETTER.
From our regular correspondent
WAsJtNcToN u & Ian


mended; all the forest work of the
Government should be concentrated
in the Department of Agriculture,
declared the president in his last
message to Congress and in support
Of the proposition he cited cogent
reasons for the concentration of
this work in a single department.
In conclusion he adds, every adj
ministrative officer concerned is
convinced of the necessity of the
proposed consolidation of forest
work in the Department of Agricul-
tuye, and l myself have urged it
more than once in former messages.
Again l commend it to the early
and favorable consideration of the
Congress, The interests of the Ma.
ton at large and of the West in
particular have suffered greatly be-
cause of the delay.
Behind this straightforward re-
commentator there lies a story
which is typical of Republican
partisan legislation. The President
has, over and over again, pointed
the advantages that would accrue
from consolidating the forest work
OF the government and Congress
has never needed his urging. The
reason why it has not is known but
to few. 1t is that speaker Can
non, the all powerful dictator of
legislation in the House, has de
terminedly opposed this step, has
opposed it because he feared that
the movement, although making for
better and more economical admin
istration, wonld displace nine Of
his political henchmen who now en-
Joy "jobs" as forest rangers OF
course there arc other members Of
Congress whose satellites enjoy sim
liar preferment but their opposition
would amount to naught if they
were not supported by the omnipo-
tent Speaker. There are indica-
tons, however, that the President
has discovered the reason for Con-
gress' failure to act, for he has now
placed all forest employees under
the protection of the civil service
regulations and it remains to be
seen what card "Unclc Joe" Can
non will play next.
The Speaker has been very active
of late in circulating reports regard.
ing the necessity of extreme econo-
my in this sessions appropriations.
The several forms of remedial legis-
lauon which the President has
pointed out as essential to the we'll
fare of the nation would call for no
increased appropriations, and a SEES
sion in which it is desired to curtail
legislation carrying appropriations
would prove ideal for the consider.
alton Of such measures but the
Republicans at heart care for no
Legislation which will only further
the welfare Of the people and it is a
safe prediction that In no single in
stance viii Congress undertake to
enact such legislation as has been
recommended by President Roose-
welt, nor even to lower by a triae
the Dingley tariff schedules.
a simple and highly important
step recommed by the President in
| previous messages. although not re-.
fcred to in his last, one that would
contribute materially to the ccono-
micaI administration Oflhc Nations
affairs, is the enactment Of law
/ providing a modern and efficient
method Of arriving al the weight OF
the mails carried by the various
railroads That the present law is
inadequate was pointed out by the
y Auditor for the Posionice, Henry
| a. Castle who showed a year ago.
/ how the Government might be and
probably was, mulchcd Of thous.
ands Of dollars annually by the pre-.
sent antquated system OF course
there is no likelihood that such leg.
islstion will be enacted, despite Oh,
1 Presidents recommendation and
| Mr. Cannon's determination 90 pro
! mote economy. The reason Why D..
plain The railroads prefer the
present system and rcprcscntaGv,
| Overstreet n Indiana, nov chair
man Of the House committee ON
POstOfccs and Post roads, will per.
nit no bin to be reported from thai
committee which viii effect an im
/ provcmcrt over The present method.
Equally Of course, 10 Is highly u.
proper 20 mention those little Sc