The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1909-02-18
Washington, ID. c.


President Roocevelt's trip to Ken
lucky on the centenary of Lincoln's
birth, does not seem to have exhaust
ed the President In the least. He
reached Wellington at two Saturday
afternoon, and was at his desk, fresh
and vigorous as ever within half an
hour Much OF the Presidents great
ness is due to the surprising amount
OF physical energy he has. Lincoln's
birthday was finally made q special
holiday In the District of Columbia by
Congress. Congress had been trying
to play politics with the bill by at
taching rider" calling for sur
vey OF the proposed Lincoln memorial
road from Washington to Gettysburg.
Only thirteen days are left to this
Congress. The big appropriation bills
have been fully prepared by the COM
mittees. The men not on the COM
mittees are protesting that they
ought to have time to look over
these bills, and that they ought not
to be passed with only an hour or
two's discussion, as the leaders plan
When the Naval bill came up In the
Senate Thursday it was opposed by
LaFollette on the ground that II had
not even been seen by these who are
not within the so-called Inner ring"
lie made so much fuss that the bill
was put over till today. when the
LaFollette or reform" forces will show
what tactics they intend to take. Less
than a quarter of the Senators hold
all the important plces on the Senate
committees, and thus is being form
ed what is known as an "oligarchy,"
or government by a few powerful
men. Friends OF such a system say
however, that as long as the people
elect representatives there is no
harm done II a small number of those
representatives are able TO control
the others. This would perhaps be
true If the few always won by force
Of their superior ability. The best
mon naturally gravitate into the re-
sponsible places. The trouble is that
II their conduct of the nations bust
ness is not good they are very hard
to put out of their powerful places,
and can stay in public life by cor
rupting very small part Of the peo-
pie.
At any rate Congress has no time
to stop and explain bills to members
just now, and the committee rule is.
In full swing. Congress as a whole
takes just what Joe Cannon gives II
IL is expected that the sessions from
this time forward will have to begin
at an earlier hour than before, and
that all night sittings will be the
rule in order to get the work done.
RAILROAD LAW UP.
The Hepburn Railroad Rate Law
has been attracting attention this
week. Senator Fulton of Oregon in
troduced bill TO permit the Inter-
state Commerce Commission to un-
dertake a valuation of the railways
so that II can tell how much money
they are making in proportion TO
their Investment. On Wednesday Sen
ator Elkins, who owns a few railroads
reported that this bill was not need
ed, since the present law is perfect,
+. according to his view. The conserva-
tive element in the Senate is afraid
that further regulation OF the rail-
roads just now will retard the return
- of prosperity. which they are anxious
to help rather than hinder. Probably
they are wise in this decision, and
we need not fear that the rates charg-
: ed by the railroads will be left un-
controlled any longer than is neces-
sary for the stability of the business
situation as the people will not stand
for much more foolishness.
An amusing feature of the week
has been the discovery that under the
Constitution Senator Knox cannot
accept place in Taft's Cabinet, be-
cause since he has been a member OF
Congress that body has raised the
salary of the place he is asked 10
occupy. A newspaper reporter was
the only man to think of this diff
Guilty, and all the statesmen in Wash
ington are trying to think up excuses
why it did not occur TO them sooner.
Congress will reduce the salary Of
tie Secretary of State to its former
size until Mr.. Knox takes office, when
1t will be raised again for his benefit.
Some persons who are seeking no
tority, notably Senator Kittredge
have been trying to revive the dis
pute as to whether the Panama Canal
shall be built with locks and dams as
is the present plan or be dug down
clear to sea-level all the way, which
they agree would be better Mr.. TAFT
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