The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-08-19
SHIP SUBSIDY AND GOOD ROADS
BILLS WILL BE KILLED IN
CONGRESS.
La Toilette Will Probably Receive Sc
we're Jolt When He Enters United
States Senate.

The intense desire of the republican
leaders in congress to hold down ap-
preparations at the coming session is
sure to defeat two pieces Of import
ant and much discussed legislation
the ship subsidy bill and bill making
appropriation for federal construction
of good roads, is the story that comes
from the national capital.
In carrying out their economy plan
the republican leaders will shut off all
but necessary" legislation. Neither
snip subsidy nor good roads are classei
as necessary legislation at this time.
OF course, there are other things that
will operate to prevent the passage of
these two bills, and it is more than
likely that both would be sidetracked,
even if there was no deficit in the fed
eral treasury. But the condition of
the national strong box gives the op-
position the very excuse they need to
stave off action, and it will be used to
good effect.
Ship Subsidy Bill.
AS far as the snip subsidy bill is
concerned, it seems to be farther from
passage than it was two years ago. No
progress could be made with that bill
in the last congress; so strong was
the sentiment against it that its
friends did not seriously attempt to
force it's passage. 1t was allowed to
die in committee. How the new con-
gress particularly the house, will stand
on this question remains to be de-
velOped; but as far as the coming ses
sion is concerned, it makes no differ
ence how the house regards the prOpo-
SitiOn; it cannot pass because of the
opposition of the leaders, VINO will not
consent to depicting the treasury of
many millions to aid ship building
when there is already a large deficit
to be overcome.
Good Roads Measure.
The time may ultimately come when
congress will pass some form of good
roads bill. That form of legislation
has never been thoroughly discussed in
the senate or house; no serious or sys-
tematic effort has ever been made to
pass a bill Of that purport. But there
is a growing sentiment in favor of
good roads legislation.
Whenever good roads legislation has
raised to the appropriation of federal
funds for this object. 1t has been as
serted that good roads shall be built
by taxation, which is to say, by the use
of state and county money. But to
this argument reply is made that con-
gress has for years been appropriating
millions upon millions of dollars for
improving rivers and harbors in the in
terest of navigation, and it is asserted
that it is just as proper to build good
roads for the benefit of the farmer as
it is to improve the waterways Of
commerce.
Will be Prominent.
Some day this good roads question is
going to spring into prominence; it
will become the leading issue before
congress, and there will be battle
royal. And it is more than likely that
sucn a fight will end in the enactment
of some form of good roads law which
will benefit all the states of the Union,
and perhaps insure the expenditure of
from SIS, 10000 to s30,00O,000 year on
this work. But that time is not yet 4;
the good roads fight will not come in
the fifty-ninth congress: it will have
to be postponed until the treasury is
better able to stand the drain.
Meanwhile the committees of the
senate and house are giving consider
able attention to this new problem;
are at work trying to devise the most
practicable and the most equitable
manner of distributing funds for road
construction, though no conclusion has
yet been reached. By the time con-
gress is ready to seriously deal with
the problem the two committees will
have something tangible to present.
Jolt for La Toilette.
Governor La Toilette of Wisconsin
when he resigns his present Office and
takes up the duties Of United States
senator, is going to receive a very Sc
we're jolt at the hands of his colleagues,
if ne carries out a program which he
recently outlined to one Of his friends.
La Toilette intends, SO it is reported,
to introduce and press a bill at the
coming session prohibiting senators
and representatives from accepting
railroad passes. Of course, the bill
won't pass; it won't even be considered.
La Toilette may if he persists, be
able to make a speech on the subject;
he may be able to point out the i'll eff
fects of the national Legislators accept
ing favors from the railroads for whom
they must legislate, and in his argu-
ments ne will have the right Of it,
strictly speaking, but mis- words will
have no effect The senate is not go
ing to pass any bill depriving its men,
ers of one of their most sacred and
most valued privileges.
Is Radical Reformer.
La Toilette is very radical re-
former; he is an enthusiasts of the first
water; but he will find that men OF
that type don't get far and don't ac-
complish much in the United States
senate. He will also find that the sen
ate does not take kindly to new sena-
| tors who rush in and attempt to over
turn senate rules and practices. When
the senate gets ready to reform, it will
do SO at the initiative Of the older
members; it never has been and never
will be reformed at the behest or threat
Of new senators like La Toilette.
La Toilette, by the way, is not cut
out on lines to make a great or an in
f1uential senator. He is a man with