The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1908-05-15
WASHINGTON.
Legislative and Cen
eral Topics from
the Capital.
May 9, 1908.

tlmc slucc tue MlUOrlty Leader,
John Sharp Williams, announced
his purpose to force the Republi-
cans to "do something" 1t all
came about by the polite reminder
that it was Speaker Cannon's
birthday upon the part of Mr..
Champ Clark, of Missouri, who
may yet be Speaker himself, if
there is ever a Democratic
House, and who is at present, in
the absence of Minority Leader
Williams, the acting war chief
of the belligerent Democrats.
The White Honse conference
OF Governors and other notables,
which will gather on the 18th
OF May for the purpose of con
sidering the conservation of our
national resources, is looked upon
as a most remarkable aud note
worthy one. The President says
In his letter to the Governors in
viting them to participate: 1.-The
matters to be considered at this
conference are not confined to
any region or group of States,
but are of vital concern to the
nation as whole and to all of
the people. Those subjects in.
clude the use and conservation
of the mineral resources, the re-
sources of the land. and the re-
sources of the waters in every
part of our territory"
Numerous social functions have
been planned for the entertain
ment of the distinguished visitors,
among those of an official char
actsr are the dinner by the Presi-
dent, a garden party by Mrs.
Roosevelt in the White House
grounds, and a large reception by
Clifford Pinchot, Chief Forester
OF the United States.
1t is said at the State Depart.
ment that the Republic of Colon
bia, has filed a claim Of $40, ,OOO,-
600 against the United States
for supporting Panama in it's re-
volt against Colombia several
years ago. This fact was brought
out as result of the resolution
introduced in the Senate by Sen
ator Bacon, of Georgia, calling
upon the President 70. all of the
correspondence between the Unit
ed States and Colombia. in re-
gard TO the secession of Panama.
This claim was presented several
years ago 20 John Hay, then Sec
retary of State. who rejected it.
Shortly after Secretary of State
Root succeeded Mr.. Hay. the
claim was again presented and
again rejected, Mr.. Root claim
ing that the action of the United
States in supporting Panama 10
its revolt against Colombia was
a matter of policy and not sub
ject to judicial review. There is
no reason to believe that either
Congress or the administration
will take action upon Colombia's
claim any more favorable than
that of the two Secretaries of
State, Hay and Root.
The Marshall ..Honest Paint
Bill" is very important meas
ure. which is receiving much at
.tention throughout this country.
Several very interesting hear
ings on this bill have been held
by the House Committee on In
ter State and Foreign 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 iu the hands of the same
officials. 1t does not establish
standards. but it is purely . label
propositi' n, requiring all pack
ages of paint, turpentine and lin
seed oil entering into Inter State
Commerce. or offered for sale in
the Territories and the District
of Colum bia, to be honestly label
ed, giving net weight and con
stituents of the contents.
Such y law would be a great
protection to consumers who are
now subjected to great frauds,
especially in ready mixed paipts.
1t would be protection aud en-
cOuragement to honest manufact
uters and dealers. The legisla-
tion is along practical lines that
make for the good of the people.
1t will be remembered that the
author, Congressman Th M a 8
Marshall, of North Dakota. was
the joint author, with Mr.. Hill.
of Connecticut, of the Free Alco-
hol Bills, passed in the Fifty
ninth Congress, and he was an
active leader among those who
brought about the enactmenG of
that valuable legislation.
The Republican leaders are
bending every energy to effect
an adjournment Of Congress
without serious cooflict between