The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1908-05-15
WASHINGTON LETTER.

binds both countries to settle by arbi.
tration for period of five years all dis
putes not involving national honor or
territory. Now Congress will be able to
say, 1--WE knew those gun boats were not
needed" and that the President was
keeping this treaty up his sleeve until he
should get appropriations for more war
ships. This is one view to take of the
subject; another view is that we will have
Eve years to build "Dreadnoughts" and
that we can possibly by working days,
nights, and Sundays finish the Panama
Canal in that time. 1t is said that a
number of other treaties on the arbitration
basis have been arranged between the
United States and foreign countries and
that they will soon be published.
80
All Washington is looking forward with
great interest to the advent of the Gov.
ernors of all the states invited here by the
President for.the thirteenth, fourteenth
and fifteenth of this month to consider
the subject of the preservation Of the
national resources of the country. A
number of distinguished men from yari-
ious walks of life have been invited to
meet the Governors and each Governor
has invited to accompany him three men
to act as his advisers in important matters
which will be brought up for discussion.
It is thought that the convention will be
one of great importance. There are those
who say it will be epochal It is we'll
known that there has been going on for
years, and accelerated in recent times, a
movement in the direction of what is
called Capitalization President Roose
welt more conspicuously than any of his
predecessors has recommended federal
control in matters where heretofore state
authority has been thought sufficient
But there has arisen throughout the
country belief that in such important
matters as economic utilization of streams
flowing through many states, and OF
natural resources like coal, oil, and tim
Der, divided power, or government like
that of the several states, cannot effec-
lively protect, direct or attain the highest
good of the largest number. OF course
this involves the question of state rights,
the very mention of which is suggestive
of hostility in politics but it is possible
that by conference, consultation, and
Interchange, of views good can be &C.
complished along broad economic lines.
-
Three weeks ago it was thought that
Congress would not be i'll session at this
date. Then the day of adjournment was
fixed for the tenth of May but the Presi
dent said, "Wait until the Governors
come before you adjourn, and meanwhile
pass a few of the bills that l have
recommended" And now the day of
adjournment has been put off and no
member of Congress will venture to pre-.
dict within two weeks of its probable
occurrence. There is strong impression
that important legislation. thought to be
impossible of accomplishment two weeks
ago, will be passed before adjournment
A currency bill that is expected to avoid,
or tide over. panics will be passed before
adjournment. Also a child labor bill for
the District of Columbia prohibiting the
employment of minors under the age of
fourteen years. 1t is possible also that
wood pulp may be placed on the free list
Apropos Of this subject there is rumor
that new kind of printing paper vastly
cheaper than wood pulp paper will soon
be introduced and offered to the trade
This is nothing less than black paper
printed with white ink. 1t will permit
the grinding of old papers and their use
again and again.
~
There was a somewhat remarkable
luncheon given at the White House this
week. All those present except the Pres
ident. Mrs. Roosevelt and Secretary Root
were Catholics. There were two Cardinal,
a number of Bishops aud Archbishops,
Attorney General and Mrs. Bouaparte,
and number of others prominent in the
Church and in official life 10 Washington.
The luncheon doubtless was not without
political significance. The President and
Secretary Taft stand very we'll with the
Catholic Church. Secretary Taft espe-
cially is persona grata with the Church
in the Philippines, in Cuba. in Panama
and in Rome where he managed for the
United States transaction which was