The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1909-04-13
AMONG THE
STATESMEN.
Matters Now Under Considera-
ton by Congress.
TO GET even WITH 4 TRUST.

Congressman Dawson's Plan to A.
complish It-Proteetion For lithe-
sraphsrs-Ths Ship Subsidy oues-
tion-Editor Lawmakers at Washing
ton-Capital Gossip.
Washington, April 6.-[Special.]-
Representative Dawson Of Iowa was
fer a number Of years identified here
with the late Senator Allison In an
official capacity and absorbed much Of
that statesman's faculty for discover
ing things along the economic line that
many other men, even though sup
posed to be well posted, would over
look Mr.. Dawson claims that smOk-
ers have paid to the 80 called tobacco
trust since 1902 the enormous sum OF
$40, 600, 600 which should not have been
levied against users Of the weed.
When the extra tax was put on to-
baccO In small packages ut the time OF
the Spanish-American war congress
granted the manufacturers the right
to slightly lessen the size of the pack
ages. Subsequently the tax was re-
duced. but the sellers of the tobacco,
it is alleged by Representative Daw-
son, were not considerate enough to
restore the weight in the packages.
This he claims should have been done,
and the Iowa member, in the interest
Of the smokers, has introduced a bill
compelling the manufacturers to tote
fair" with the public.
Lithoaraphers Ask Protection.
Congressman and newspaper CORE
spondents are being supplied copiously
with literature bearing upon litho-
graphs. The employers and their
workmen want clearer classification
and insist that tariff rates be fixed so
as to equal the difference in cost be-
tween the American and foreign prod
ucts. printed In Germany the work
men declare, is what they find on near
~ all of the post cards and transcripts
published In Germany. They say it Is
a very singular thing that the pictures
Of the public buildings In Washington
and, indeed. the reproductions Of all
our great public buildings, whether in
Washington or in Albany, Harrisburg,
Columbus, Springfield or any other
city, are made In Germany" 1t is
contended by the organization of lithog-
raphers that present duties are not
high enough to give the production of
these cards to American workmen.
Encouragement For Ship Subsidy.
Friends of the ship subsidy PROPOSE
ton assert that they have assurances
from President Taft that he will favor
In future message to congress gov
eminent aid in this direction. 1t 10
not expected that anything will be at
tempted this session, although Sena-
tors Frye and Gallinger a couple Of
weeks ago talked as If they were not
disposed to let the question rest en-
tirely until next winter. But the Re-
publican leaders in the senate have
issued their edict that practically moth
ing shall be attempted this session out
side of the tariff and the passage Of
the bill providing for the taking Of
the next census. Senator Aldrich has
sounded warning that unless the Re-
publicans of the finance committee are
allowed to proceed In their own way
and In accordance with past methods
the new tariff law will hardly be on
the statute books during this year.
Two New Editor conersssmsn.
Two more Democratic editors were
added to the house membership this
session. They are Mr.. Barnhardt, who
runs the Sentinel at Rochester, Ind,
and Mr.. Jameson Of Iowa, who has
the distinction of having defeated that
veteran and able national legislator
Colonel Pete Hepburn Representa-
tive Hitchcock Of the Omaha district
Of Nebraska is one of the leading news.
paper men in the house.
Several Willing to Accept
The talk Is that DR.. Charles w.
Eliot, former president Of Harvard
university, hesitates to accept the am
bassadorshfp to Great Britain because
Of lack Of private means. 1t also is
common gossip that he ie not certain
Of having physical strength enough to
perform the exacting duties Of the
post. Since the civil war two men at
least have represented the United
States at this court who were lacking
tn wealth. Both served under the ad-
minfstrations of the late President
Cleveland. One was Mr.. Phelps of
Vermont and the other Mr.. Bayard Of
Delaware. President Taft intimates
that, no matter who is finally selected
for this ambassadorship. Whitelaw
Reid will probably remain at London
for six months or year.
Little Time For Exercise.
President Taft does not have many
opportunities to ride the fine horse he
purchased in Virginia last year. The
Office seekers besiege him SO steadily
that by the time the hour arrives for
him to shut down work there is not
sufficient time for him to mount his
steed and explore the surrounding
country. He gets into an automobile
instead several times week and goes