The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1908-05-15
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER

" ARLINGTON, D. c., MAY 9th, 1908.
Mr.. EDJToR:-The Democratic fill
buster was broken this week for the first
time since Minority Leader John Sharp
Williams announced his purpose to force
the Republicans to edo something.
1t all came about by the polite reminder
that it was Speaker Cannon's birthday
on the part of Mr.. Champ Clark of
Missouri, who may yet be Speaker him.
self, if there is a Democratic House,
and who is at present, in the absence OF
Minority Leader Williams, the acting
war chief of the belligerent Democrats.
1t is said at the State Department that
the republic of Columbia has filed a
claim of SIC, 100000 against the United
States for supporting Panama in its re-
volt against Columbia several years ago.
This fact was brought out as result of
the resolution introduced in the Senate
by Senator Bacon of Georgia, calling
upon the President for all the CORES
pondence between the United States
and Columbia in regard to the secession
of Panama. This claim was presented
several years ago to John Hay, then
Secretary of State, who rejected it..
Shortly after Secretary of State Root
succeeded Mr.. Hay, the claim was again
presented and again rejected, Mr.. Root
claiming that the action of the United
States in supporting Panama in its re-
volt against Columbia was matter Of
policy and not subject to judicial re-
| view. There is no reason to believe
that either Congress or the administra-
tim will take action on Columbia's
claim any more favorable than that of
the two Secretaries of State Hay and
Root.
The Mars hall Honest Paint Bill, Is a
very important measure which is re-
ceiving much attention throughout the
country. Several very interesting hear
ings on this bill have been held by the
house committee on interstate and for
eign commerce, and Mr.. Marshall is
confident that it will become a law at
the next session. 1t is in line with the
national pure food and drug law, and
its execution would be in the hands of
the same officials 1t does not establish
standards, but is purely label PROPOSE
ton, requiring all packages of paint,
turpentine and linseed oil entering into
Interstate Commerce or offered for sale
in the territories and the District of
Columbia to be honestly labeled, giving
net weight and constituents of the con-
tents.
Such law would be a great protec
ton to consumers who are now subject
ed to great frauds, especially in ready
mixed paints. 1t would be protection
and encouragement to honest manufac
turers and dealers. The legislation is
along poactical lines that make for the
good of the people.
1t will be remembered that he author,
Congressman Tom Marshall, of North
Dakota, was the joint author, with Mr..
Hill of Connecticut, of the free alcohol
bills passed in the fifty congress,
and he was an active leader among those
who brought about the enactment Of
that valuable legislation.
The Republican leaders are bending
every energy to effect an adjournment
of Congress without a serious conflict
between the President and the Senate.
Mr.. Roosevelt is alleged to have written
a number of letters to Senators in which
he has declared not only that he will