Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1905-02-09
WASHINGTON LETTER.
(From our Regular 90 orrespondent.'
Washington, Feb. 4th, 1908.

" 1So' hh'''
EdttorPress:-
President Roosevelt, who has
among many other freely expressed
convictions that of regarding no
time like the present for work,
may yet decide that an extra scs-
sion of Congress in the Spring for
legislating on the railway rate
question will be advisable. The
general impression has been that an
extra session would not be called
before the early autumn, but no
one realized more keenly than the
President how insistent the coun-
try has become in it's demand that
something should be done, and
quickly in the matter. If the
extra session is postponed until fall
the result will be more killing of
time, and possible postponement of
action for another year.
Persons deeply interested in the
proposition to authorize the Inter
state Commerce Commission to fix
railroad rates view with alarm the
delay that is likely to take place
before any legislation can be effect
ed. With every week of delay the
pressure on Congress from outside
sources increases and the problem
of legislation grows corresponding
ly more complex. The New York
Chamber of Commerce, one of the
wealthiest and most powerful or
carnations in the United States,
has opposed the proposition to en-
large the power of the Interstate
Commerce Commission to fix rates
for the rail roads and in Iowa the
Farmers Alliance have hanged in
effigy Congressman Hepburn be-
cause of his attitude on the ques-
ton. Washington is over run
with representatives of the various
rail roads and also the agents of
great industrial companies all us
ing the most powerful influence
against and for the rate bill. Thus
it will be seen that many cooks are
helping to make broth which is
likely to be spoiled or burned alto
gether. Congressman who keep
their ears to the ground, and the
most patriotic American cannot
deny that there are many such,
find themselves cruely confused by
the various demands. The Presi-
dent who has been eager for the
Senate to act upon rate Legislation
at this session has nevertheless ac.
ceded to their statement that it
would be impossible and he had
made his official and personal plans
with the view of the extra session
in October, but realizing the inn
portance of pushing the matter
through at the earliest time it may
be that he will sacrifice his person
al convenience and decide upon a
I Spring session.
Agricultural interests absorbed
the Senate Thursday and for once
| the farmer was the man of the
hour. For almost an entire after
noon the Senate was engaged in a
discussion of the policy of distri-
buting ordinary farm and garden
seeds from the Agricultural De-
partment through members of Con-
gress. Mr.. Lodge and those with
him in the debate on the subject
that the seeds sent out where the
common varieties to be bought of
dealers everywhere and urged that
only rare varieties should be sup
piled free to the people. He criti-
cized the appropriation of S24O, 600
for supplying seeds which were of
the cheapestand commonest variet-
les. He characterized the whole
scheme as a humbug and added,
"year after year we are appropriate
ing the peoples money for the pur-
pose of making gifts to our consti-
tuents. 1t is pleasant thing to
do, we all like to do it but we
should not forget that we are max
ing the country pay for it."
A Wonderful Saving