St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1906-04-11
Our Washington Letter.
lFom our regular correspondent

anime Bill-D. R. Meeting-Mr.
FIkins on the Rate Bill.
Some very interesting data has been
brought out by Postmaster General
Cortelyou, in his report to the House
committee on appropriations. He states
that the cost Of sending out flower and
veoetable seeds under frank, on an
average of 600 900 pounds, containing
the 1900, 900 packages, would cost the
government over $34 500; but that does
not allow for the clerk hire in the agri-
cultural department, nor for the carriers.
He estimates that if he called it one
minute for mailing and handling one
package, it would take so persons eight
hours day at salary of $1,000 per
year which would be worth $50,O00;
hut it is probable that it requires at
least FIVE minutes in mailing and delivery,
and that would amount to $250,000,
for there are FIVE packets in a package.
One can readily see how much this adds
70 the mails to send out "a 333 pack
ages day for 800 days in the year
more than that from the state. war and
navy departments. Then the postage,
seedsmen affirm would cost $220,SO0
if sent out by them.
The President complimented the Keep
commission a short time since, when
they met at the house OF Clifford
Pinchot, upon their disinterested work
in doing away with red tape, by plan.
ming to systematic the business OF the
government. He said, "a work which
must in the immense m 7jority of cases,
be its own reward, is therefore an ample
reward; for there is nothing pleasanter
than the consciousness OF having done
well bit of work we'll worth doing"
The company of 70 whom he addressed
consisted of chief clerks, heads of bureaus,
and department heads, whom he had
asked to examine and point out how to
simplify government methods, which
often were clumsy, and frequently there
was much duplication OF work, although
be did not suppose that there was much
corruption, yet he wished to receive
suggestions how to cut out bureaucratic
methods, and to reach cases when legis.
atiou was necessary, so he could recon.
mend them, where they could be reached
by executive regulation. He did not
think there ever had been, "such a com.
prehensive systematic effort to put the
, country's housekeeping in order before,
Il but the matter was urgent" Mr.. Pin
\ Chot is the chief OF the division oil forestry,
I and an enthusiastic worker for its
3 interests, although it was reported last
year, that his grandfather at his death,
4 left him quite fortune; supposed to be
u some $20.000,000 He loves the work
aud is broadening the interest in the
M subject and it was partly through his
influence that the great m Getting Of the
u 500 delegates, was held here last year
Its claimed that he is bringing his divi-
sion u p to high standard.
III Report is current that by April 10, the
q regents Of the Smithsonian may be able
81 to select new secretary to fill the vacan-
cay caused by the death OF Prof. S. P.
q Langley of the Smithsonian Institution.
d There are many prominent scientists and
q educators amongst the candidates.
8 Several of them are from New England.
Some little time since the judiciary
committee of the House, it was claimed,
did not find that the constitution gives
them authority to hold the federal con-
troll ofinsurance of state corporations,
i other than railroads. Chairman Jenkins
states that from examinations OF decisions
OF the courts that the supreme court has
q affirmed that insurance is not commerce,
how then can Congress regulate it?
4 Congress cannot impair the police
powers OF the state; the supreme court
j has found it difficult to make boundary
lines between them.
& Wee Pres. Fairbanks named S,nator
Bevtrtdge, Senator Dillingham; Of YER
1 mont, and Senator Patterson of Cole
rado as the conferees from the Senate for
4 the joint committee with the House on
s the statehood bill. 1t is said that Sena-
tor Foraker Of Ohio, learned that Seua-
tor Beveridge promised to support the
Senate amendment, before be yielded in
his point OF objection in the matter. A
4 vote OF a senator 10 such matters carries
great weight, as was related by Senator
hIkIns of West Virginia, when represent.
ing New NJ x;co years ago, when 1t
4 iailed to become state. Senator Dill
hngham was also one of committee OF
tnree from the Senate regarding the dele
gate to Alaska.
When we learn that the tide of immi-
i grafton tor 1905. was reported to break
all previous records, amounting to
lOoo, S34 from all of the ports OF the
country, we see what responsibility
rests upon the committees in charge and
upon Congress to legislate so wisely in
Tue matter. The number given exceeds
mat oil the year previous by 200 900 and
tney seem to center chiefly in our larger
C'tleS' 1t is an important problem how
70 restrict and distribute these crowds OF
foreigners. In the House, there is COM
m'ttee on immigration and naturaliz 1.
Ion, consisting OF IA representatives; B.
f. howell OF New Jersey is its chairman.
he introduced bill 1874 which was
considered in the House, Feb. 26 and Mr.
nougnge of Colorado, member of that
committee, submitted a report to &C
company the bill. In it he gave some
history of legislation on this subject
S Stuce Its trst introduction into Congress.
ne special attorney filed 791 criminal
complaints and secured 6S5 cases" in a