The Bowbells tribune. [volume] (Bowbells, Ward Co., N.D.) 1899-1969, 1907-03-15
WASHINGTON GOSSIP
Notes OF the Doings Round About the Cop
itoi City EntertainingIy Written-up for
fdifiCatiOn of Readers OF
The Tribune.

TO The Bowbclls Tribune:
AS has been stated before, tho
majority of the members of Congress
are as honest and upright as the "aver
age' citizens (not more SOY, and are r
financial circumstances which enable
them to avoid petty tricks necessary tc
get all the money they can out of then
official position. Nevertheless, when q
member of Congress cashes in the sur.
plus allowed for the purchase Of station
cry and supplies, it is "mighty small
business. The practice Of members
formerly indulged in of appointing
their sons, daughters, and in some cases
their wives, as private secretaries at /;
salary of 500 per month, has given
way under the odium of public opinion.
But usually an influential politician in
Washington can find something for
their offspring to do. Recently there
was call for the names Of special en-
ployes' of the different departments
those not appointed through the civil
service and the list read like a..roll-call
at the capitol. In this connection
might be mentioned the fact that there
are more Hitchcocks holding fat jobs in
Washington than Smiths or Browns.
Of course they arenot relatives of Secre-
tary Hitchcock! Is it any wonder that
minor employees of the Government
try to get their sons and daughters
''in Officer"
Hartman is universally condemned
for his eagerness to get the coin Of the
realm, but it would appear as if nearly
everyone in this city were Scent cdi-
tions of the captains Of industry
Civil service has removed the last
vestige Of "infuence' from the Gov
ernmental service! If you not believe
it, ask some of the men who do the
work of keeping the wheels going. A
Government employee sending in his
card to the head of a department is re-
quired to tell his business to a mes
senger Frequently colored MANI,
who majestically refers him to Mr.: So
and So. and that gentleman tells him
there is no show for promotion except
through exceptionally meritorious work.
Walk up the steps with mere member
of the House or Senate and the doors
fly open at your approach, and you are
into the sacred precincts of
leather chairs an luxurious case. The
head of the department rises and grasps
your hand and smiles his pleasantest
welcome, and if your Influence" is
strong enough your name will be among
those bulletined as promoted on
merit at the next bi-monthly shakcup.
Very encouraging to those having no
"drag!"
Considerable contention has been
created in Washington the past week
by the discharge of al employees of
the mailbag repair shop. A commits
sion reported some time ago that these
employees were unable to perform
satisfactory work for the Government,
and their discharge followed. A howl
has gone up that some Of them were
ex-soldiers and widows of soldiers who
would be compelled to appeal to charity
if they were not instantly reinstated.
"Soldier drag" is one of the common
est in the Capitol city. A constant de-
mand is made that cx-soldiers be given
the preference, and it frequently hap
pens that efficiency: is overlooked. All
honor to our soldier citizens, but when
it comes to saying that the cotcrie of
here should have not only
a pension but a fat job regardless of
ability the line should be drawn. Many
a brave man in the states is practically
helpless and has only his small pension
to live on, but he usually does it un-
complainingly and asks no special
favors unless he can "delver the
goods.
An instance of the "divorcement" of
railroads from politics is given at the
seat of the country's government.
There is very strict anti-smoke law,
but it does not include locomotives and
yard engines. A recent attempt to
compel the railroads to use anthracite
coal or coke on engines entering the
city was overwhelmed with technicalit-
les. Senator Kean is the latest cham
pion of the railroads right to smoke!
Favoritism Of the rankest sort was
shown last week when the Senate
passed a bill to pension the widow of
Senator and General JosephR Hawley,
who is living in Europe and confesses
to owning $4,000 worth of property.
A pension Of $50 per month was given
in this case. while many veterans
widow is taking in washing fora living!
"To him who hath, more shall be
given" The law denies a pension if
a few hundred dollars worth of proper
ty is owned. but law does not govern
the lawmakers.
The President has not met with un-
qualified success this winter in attempts
to force legislation. Out of ffty-nine
recommendations but eigh-
teen have been acted upon. A record
of thirty-seven messages at the short
session will probably stand for some
time. i<
The United States Forest Service, in
a recent circular in relation to tree
made an allusion to members
Of Congress which can be interpreted