The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-01-06
Washington Letter.
Senator Penrose and the Currency
Commits What He has done
for the Postal SerVlce-OId
in Service But Still Young.

ht SCh NhNS O0N SS"h SSAASs
-
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3lst.-Leaders of
the Senate are urging Senator Penrose
to accept the vacancy in the Currency
Commission that will result from the
resignation of the Hon. Philander G.
Knox. When the commission was cre-
ated last spring Senator Penrose was
selected member of it but declined to
accept the appointment because of the
condition of his health, which, at that
time, was such as to cause his friends
deep concern. 1t was at his suggestion
that Senator Knox was named. SINCE.
then Senator Penrose has regainedy his
health. He has given the Senate leaders
no direct reply, but has the appoint
ment under consideration. His services
as member OF the commission are
especially desirable, owing to the fact
that he is one of the highest authorities
in the Senate on the financial system of
this country. His familiarity with cur
rency legislation was emphasized when
he was appointed a member of the SEN
ate Committee on Finance. Pennsyl-
vania had not been represented on that
committee for many years, and large
number of older senators sought the
honor that went to Senator Penrose.
His selection was due entirely to his ex
ceptional qualifications. At the time
the House and Senate confcrees dead
locked over the Aldrich currency bill
Senator Penrose suggested the creation
of currency commission to conduct an
investigation and recommend legislation
that would eradicate the defects of our
financial system. The conference COM
mittee incorporated this proposition in
the Aldrich bill.
The Commission has before it the
most important work relating to the cur
rency of the United States that has been
undertak ken in the past forty years. 1t
will recommend legislation, which, if
enacted, will bring about reorganiza-
ton of the currency system. 1t is not
likely that thislegislation will be brought
before Congress within the coming year.
Its preparation requires sound financial
judgment and high order of construc-
tive craftsmanship. Pennsylvania has
been signally honore in the selection OF
both of it's Senators for membership of
the BODY that is preparing such legisla-
tiOn.
THE POSTAL SERVICE.
Senator Penrose's reelection will be
especially gratifying to the thousands of
men who earn livelihood in the postal
service. There is not an employee in any
branch of that service. who has not prof
tied by his influence in the Senate. Soon
after he entered that body he began to
urge legislation that would provide more
adequate compensation for the men who
make the postal system of the United
States model for every other country.
His appointment as Chairman of the
Senate Committee on Post Offices and
Post Roads enabled him to fully press
this legislation successfully. That his
services in behalf of the postal employees
have been appreciated is indicated by
the fact that every national organization
of those employees has endorsed a reso-
luton expressing gratitude for his ef-
forts for their advancement.
NOTABLY LONG EXPERIENCE.
When Senator Penrosp enters upon
his third term, ,athough one of the
young men of the Senate in years, ne
will become an "old" Senator in point
OF continuous service. OF the ninety
two Senators ninnteens have been in the
Senate for IL longer period than Mr..
Penrosc. OF these Senators nine preccde
him by only two years. In 1881 three
men came To the Senate who have been
there ever since. In that year Eugene
Hale, Of Maine, entered the Senate
March 4th his colleague, William p.
Frye, March 18th, and Nelson w. Al
drich, Of Rhode Island, October 9TH.
When first elected to the Senate Mr..
Prnrose was only thirty-iivc wears old.
THE Wakamatsu Steel Foundry and
the kure Arsenal combined are now
able to supply Japan with everything
required for the purpose of armament
and railroad material. If worked to
their full capacity they could produce
100000 tons of manufactured articles a
year. There is not single foreigner
among the eight thousand employees.
Construction Corps Veterans.
Correspondence of The Citizen.l
MOUNT PoCoNo, Pa, Jan. |, 1909.
EDITOR CITIZEN The few surviving
members of the Construction Corps,
who served ninety days or more in the
military rail road service ofthe U. S. A.
in either of the divisions of the army of
Virginia, or with Gen. Sherman, in the
division of the Mississippi, are hereby
requested to correspond with the under
signed in view of presenting a bill to
the present Congress granting us pen
sions for our services during the war of
tha rahn1linn Ad6raau. IT ~ nou,l