Evening journal., 1905-07-27

is hardly a representative that is not
called upon to make from one to half
a dozen trips each year to Washington,
in the interest of the government or of
his constituents. Every such journey
costs money. even though it be admit
ted the members travel on a railroad
pass. A railroad pass does not pay no.
tel bills. nor does it pay the number
less other expenses incurred on such
journeys. There is no provision for
defraying the expenses Of Congress-
man IN visiting Washington on gov
ernment business, except when COM
ing to attend a session of Congress.
and If the members had taken the con-
structive mileage allowed by the law at
the last session il would not have more
than reimbursed them for the expendi-
lures they are called upon to make
during vacations.
If an attempt was made to increase
the salary to one that would be ade-
quate for the service rendered. and the
ability demanded. howl would go up
from all parts OF the country yet those
protesting would be forced in fairness
to admit that the present salary is to-
tally inadequate. II ia possible that II
the mileage perquisite cut off entirely.
it would reduce the adverse criticism
to the minimum yet there is a justi-
fication OF the mileage law. IT requires
much longer and much heavier out
lay for member to journey from Ore
gon To Washington than it does from
Maryland or Virginia, and the mem
bers should be placed ON something Of
N..ffr ItHIaf is
seems TO be the one less open TO OBJ
lection. So long as the public make
demands ON members Of Congress that
require them TO pay many visits TO the
seat or government, the public ought
TO be reasonable enough to grant ade-
lquate pay.
! Senator Arthur Pue German, Of
Maryland. busy man that he u.s. has
undertaken. IN connection with several
other distinguished gentlemen to de-
eide the mootcd question Of the origin
of baseball Not only is the Demo-
cratic leader baseball fan. but he was
at one time bail player and very
good one at that. IL has not been so
very long ago that the Senator used 10
get out in is back yard in the early
tern0on and take his exercise by
throwing hot ones" at his son. who
is now member of the Maryland SEN
ate. Senator German becomes a
member of q baseball commission al
the request OF Mr. Al G. Spalding. OF
New York to determine the origin OF
the national game If that be possible
Among the other members Of the COM
mission is Senator Morgan G. Bulkeley
of Conuecticut who was the first
president of the National League
Senator German was in his younger
days president of the famous Old Ma
tional Baseball club of Washington
LAS you can readily understand
writes the Senator TO Mr.. Spalding. 81
have very little time 20 devote to mat
tiers other than those which claim my
lattention here ! shall be glad. how
ever. to accommodate YOU I'm this con-
lnection. and viii go very carefully over
Ian the data which may be furnished
and make such suggestions as Occur
to me-
The announcement of the decision o
President Roosevelt to call am extra
session of Congress in November foi
the consideration or railway rate leSiS
lation. among other propositions
makes the remarks Of Representative
Charles Z. Townsend, of Michigan. o
Timely Importance as Mr.. Townsen,
was one of the authors of the famou
Esch-Townsend bill. Addressing tn
/ members of the Rational Hay Associ
alton who were the prime movers fo
, railway rate regulation. MI. Townsen
/ said THE welfare of the railroads am
the welfare Of the people of this coun
] try depends ON am early and a fai
and just settlement of the rate prob
lem There may be a compromise. hu
there cannot be a compromise OF prin
Iciple The law calls for fair am
Just rate to all and that is the onl,
/ settlement upon which the people vii
, make am agreement. The only sure wa.
THE railroads and the other big serVic
corporations viii be made to live al
10 their contracts is through th
courts and before an honest and efh
= cient tribunal