The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-03-07
A. ]. Benton's Washington
Editorial In Letter Form

of congress meeting with much op-
position to their self-imposed raise in
salary. Have they not raised the pay
of postoffice and other government
employees living in their districts?
OF course they did not touch the COM
pensation OF clerks in Washington,
but they do not count. The abilities
of these promoted employees living
at home" to assist in securing nomi-
nations and elections is not to be
mentioned-such tricks are too cheap
for congressman!
Considerable contention has been
created in Washington the past week
by the discharge of Al employees of
the mail-bag-repair shop. A COM
mission reported some time ago that
those employees were unable to per-
form satisfactory work for the govern
ment, and their discharge followed. A
howl has gone up that some of them
were eX-soliiers and widows of SOL
diers who would be compelled to APP
peal to charity If they were not in
stantly reinstated.
Soldier drag" is one of the COM
monest in the Capitol City, A con-
slant demand is made that ex-soldiers
be given the preference, and it fire.
quently happens that efficiency is
overlooked. All honor to our soldier
citizens, but when it comes to saying
that the coterie of oficeholders 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 uncomplain-
ingly and asks no special favors I'M
less he can deliver the goods"
An instance of the enforcement" 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 anthra-
cite coal or coke on engines entering
the city was overwhelmed with tech
nicalities. Senator Kean is the latest
champion Of of the railroads right-to-
smoke!
Favoritism Of the rankest sort was
shown last week when the senate
passed bill to pension the widow of
Senator and General Joseph R. Haw-
ley, who is living in Europe and con-
fesses to owning $4,000 worth of
property. A pension of $50 per month
was given in this case, while malY a
veterans widow is taking in washing
for living! ITO him who hath, more
shall be given" The law denies a
pension II few hundred dollars
worth of property is owned, but law
does not govern the lawmakers.
1t Is strongly intimated in some
circles that the ship-subsidy steal was
not "shake-down" of the corpora
tons interested. Some of the mem.
bers, so the story goes, made a can
vass of financiers interested and took
up collection for incidental expenses
before the session began, promising
to put the bill through. Well we shall
see our old friend with US again this
fall.
The president has not met with I'M
qualified success this winter In at
tempts to force legislation. Out of
hfty-nine important recommendations
but eighteen have been acted upon.
A record Of thirty-seven messages at
the short session will probably stand
for some time.
The United States Forest Service.
In recent circular in relation to tree
planting, made an allusion to mem.
bers of congress which can be inter-
preted to suit yourself: mo member
OF or delegate to congress is or shall
be admitted to any share. part, or
Interest in this agreement or to any
benefits to arise therefrom." It this
blow at influence" or mere graft?
When will the continual shifting
about in the management of the Pana-
ma Canal cease? There has been
nothing but talk, talk, ever since it's
inception. shonts comes to Wash
ington, buys q large outfit, swells
around az an expert" and then "ac-
cepts" ~ position in New York;
Stevens resigns ~ because he ran