Middletown transcript., 1909-05-29
WASHINGTON LETTER

II ~
WAsHNGToN D. G., May ed, 1900.
The Senate leaders are fac from satisfied
viththe progress being made on ths
tariff bill, and With a desire to call q
bait On speeches for home consumption
and TO have the tariff debate confined 10
the specific questions under consideration,
they intend to do everything in their
power 70 limit the scope ofshs discussion.
Hereafter the tariff orators are 10 be held
within bounds and viii not be permitted
TO discuss the fundamentals Of free trade
and protection, the trust question, the
political situation, freight rates and
other economic subjects. On Thurs.
day Of this week, alter long delae
in which almost everything except
the pending amendments was discussed.
Senator Tllman suggested that the time
had come when something ought TO be
done TO put an end to t'this useless wran-
GLE and said he vas weary Of sitting In
the Senate With nothing to do except
listen to professions Of political faith BY
Republicans and Democrats, and in this
he voiced the sentiments Of many others.
Senator Aldrich, chairman Of the Finance
COMMITTEES, intends at an early date, to
invoke rule that no Senator shall speak
more than twice on any one question in
debate on the same day without the per-
mission Of the Senate, and he intends,
also, to insist that the Senate confne it
self TO consideration of the paragraphs
under consideration. II is hoped, inthis
way. to dispose Of the bill before the sum.
mer is over.
-.
Since the SpeFry board made its report
on changes in the navy regulations Secre-
tary Meyer has been applying himself in
dustFiously 70 the subject, and he has de-
cided, practically, TO formulate plan Of
bis own for navy yard reorganization,
founded on the basic principle that the
highest possible degree OF efficiency afloat
shall be the controlling purpose Of every
change and Of his entire administration.
Brief as has been his experience at
the head of the Navy Department,
Mr.. Meyer haa grasped already this
basic proposition that the efficiency of
the feet is ths great essential and that
alI else must bend to that end. While
efficiency and economy will be promoted
in the navy yards, they are to be recog.
nized as of secondary importance.
-.
In she days ofthe Roosevelt administra-
tion visitors to the Senate galleries were
always sure to get glimpse Of Vice Presi.
dent Fairbanks, hear his sonorous tones,
and view the dignity of mien with which
be presided over that body. He was al
ways in bis seat and seemed to believe
that II was the duty Of the Vice Ptesi.
dent to remain near the Senate. Vice
President Sherman takes another view,
and believes that the Vice President
should have the same leisure as any other
member of the Senate. He knows there
are many capable hands In which TO trust
The gayeI aud be has taken several after
moons off to play golf and has made sev.
eEal trips to his home on business. He
calls Senator Frye to the chair whenever
Ii is possible, knowing that the Is entrust-
ing the business Of the Senate to one OF
the most exact and capable officers who
ever presided over the Upper House OF
Congress. When Senator Frye is absent
Mr.. Sherman calls on any who happens
to catch his eye. One day this weqk four
different Senators alternated in the chair.
The consensus Of opinion is that Mr..
Sherman is right in escaping at times
nom the bombardment of oratorical
periods.
After no little discussion and i've weeks,
work, the name Of Jefferson Davis, preai-
dent of the late Southern Confsderacy,
has been restored to the tablet on Cabin
John Bridge. When Mr.. Davis was Secre-
tary Of War, in the fifties, his name
formed part of the legend originally cut
into the tablet, but It was erased from the
stone in 1862 by order Of Secretary Caleb
Smith Of the Interior Department, Pres
ident Roosevelt ordered its restoration,
forty-seven years later, just before his re-
tirement from Office, and his action was
the result OF urgent appeals Of the Daugh-
ters Of the Confedsracy.
"a
Prominent members Of the Association
Of State and National Food and Dairy
Departments, are considering she advisa-
bility Of asking Congress, at its next ses.
lion. 20 enact legislation providing for
of ell factories which prepare
iood products entering into interstate
commence. The advocates Of such q
measure maintain that il could be drawn
along lines similar 30 that providing Tor
he inspection Of meat and meat pKodnets.
MANY congressman are Of the opinion,
however, that such legislation, il enacted,
would not stand khB teete OF she courts,
md they maintain that it is doubtful If
he meat inspection law would be upheld
bv the Supreme Court, were Is taken be.
ore that tribunal. The packers have
Deer, 80 benefited by the law shRt they
nave NOT been disposed 20 subject it TO
ne tests Of the courts. It Is doubtful Il
he puFveyors Of food products generally
RonId be equally benefited, and il is
cared that, were 80 attempt made to so
AZ extend the system, the entire yegisla-
i've atruckuTe would fall. Its considered
extremely doubtfnl. therefore, II Congress
,ould be induced TO extend the policy of
ederal inspections.