The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1910-12-25
way TO END POSTAL DEFICIT
Arkansas Lawyer Purposes TO Enforce
Old Statute Which Gives Postoffice
Monopoly of Mail Matter, Packets,
Etc.-Senator Frye Refuses to "See"
Reveridge While In Chair.
BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.

dent was held back while the heads
of the different departments cut down
the estimates. Among the estimates
Topped off were those for public build
ings authorized at the last session.
President Taft thought that con-
gressmen should be content with leg
islation authorizing buildings to cost
$32,O00,000, and SO the estimates pro-
vided for only about one-third of that
amount. There was at first q low
murmur; then it became a growl;
now it is roar, and there is being
organized public building trust" or
syndicate of congressman interested
in getting money for the buildings
for which bills were passed last year,
1t bids fair to run away with all
economy plans. If the house appro-
priations committee does not provide
for all buildings authorized the mem
bers. with their little trust, will run
over the committee when it brings in
the sundry civil bill.
Has Found the Way.
Nathan B. Williams, a citizen of
Fayetteville. Ark. has found the way
to wipe out the postal deficit, establish
one cent letter postage, extend the free
rural delivery service and maintain the
present one cent pound rate on peri
odicals, a rate which President Taft
and Postmaster General Hitchcock are
seeking to have increased 1t consists
in simply enforcing the law
There is an old statute, passed in
1916, which gives the postoffice mo.
nopoly of all mail matter. including
packets, second class, etc. If all this
matter, now sent by express, were
turned over to the postoffice for trans
portation it would mean large rev.
enue. The statute has been q dead let
ter for many years.
Williams has called the attention of
the department of justice to the law,
and that department agrees with him.
He has seen President Taft and been
sent to Postmaster General Hitchcock
to explain the matter. a@It would GER
tainly be strange thing If the solv-
ing of the present postal problems
should be brought about by an obscure
country lawyer from Arkansas.
Burnham Has Advanced.
Many years ago when Senator Burn
ham came to the senate as the sue
cessor of William e. Chandler he earn.
ed the reputation of being "a good lis
tener.' But he has advanced and
shown capacity to manage a bill sue
cessfuIly.
He faithfully stood by the senate
omnibus claims bill, measure that
many men want passed. but which al
ways meets opposition on account of
the "old soldiers it carries. No claims
bill can have the popularity of an ON
nibus public buildings bill or a river
and harbor bill, although there are just
claims in the omnibus bills that pass
from time TO time.
Senator Burnham will become chair
man of the more popular committee
on agriculture and manage the appro-
priation bill for that service.
overman and Clarke.
When Senator Clarke came to Wash
ington as the successor of Senator
Jones of Arkansas there was a dispo
sition among Democrats to give him
the cold shoulder because he had
an old time southerner. For
a long time Clarke did not seem to
"get III the swim He did not get sat
isfactory committee assignments. and
he. seemed to be without friends.
There was one exception. Senator
Overman of North Carolina was
Clarke's friend all the time. They
were frequently seen together and |
soon became almost inseparable. Now, |
since Clarke has had reelection, he |
has been accepted by the senate
that is. he is no longer on the ''list of |
The friendship between |
himself and Overman continues, al
though Clarke is no longer ostracized
by other Democrats.
Couldn't See Beveridge.
An amusing incident happened in the
Sherman was absent and Senator Frye
was presiding. Many senators We're on
their feet presenting petitions, reports,
bills. etc. Directly in front of Frye
stood Senator Beveridge
Mr.. President!'' he called several
times in his sharp, incislve manner
his voice ringing out over the entire
senate chamber Frye passed from
side to side, up and down and all
around Beveridge. but never seemed
10 see the young man from Indiana.
Finally Beverage sat down in an
emphatic manner. At least he looked
is ii he meant to emphasize the tax
ng of his seat. Still Frye paid no at
sention to him. At last he could not
stand being ignored longer. aud he
dashed down and made a protest to
he presiding senator. All he got from
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