The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1910-02-18
SOCIAL SEASON
NEARLY over.
One Of the Shortest Of Recent
Years.
BUSY WINTER IN CAPITAL.
The Shermans Popular as Hosts.
Washington Is Not Snobbish-House
Ways and Means Committee to Con-
duct High Prices investigation.
Congressman In Coal Claims.

| duct high Prices investigator
Conqressmen In Coal Claims.
Washington, Feb. 4.-This week prac
tically ends the social season in the
national capital. With the coming OF
Lent on Feb. the big functions are
over till after Easter The season has
been one of the shortest and most ac
tive in Washington social annals
While the winter has seen no events
of national note, like the marriage OF
Alice Roosevelt, it has been brilliant
The White House receptions have been
marked by a departure from the old
rules in that fewer guests were invit-
ed, thus avoiding the frightful brushes
known in former years. One occasion
of regret is that the health of Mrs.
Taft has not always been equal to the
demands made upon her, and she has
been forced at times to excuse herself
from appearing. One such occasion
was the dinner given to the governors
Second to the White House functions,
the receptions by Vice President and
Mrs. Sherman have perhaps been the
most popular affairs of the season. In
the cabinet set Secretary of the Navy
and Mrs. Meyer have been conspicu-
Gus. l do not know how much Wash
ington social matters interest the
country, but they figure largely here.
Washington Is Democratic.
Notwithstanding the fact that for
eigners charge us with snobbishness
and plutocraCy, Washington at least
on the surface is democratic. There
is scarcely capital in the world that
mony. In the Potomac basin cabinet
officers and government clerks are
seen skating side by side, the presi-
dent walks about the streets unattend-
ed, senators and other functionaries
are as simple in their habits as news
paper men or shopkeepers, and any
body can see anybody else, even the
president, if he has any real business
and many times when he has not
From this aspect, the form side, Wash
in its spirit, in the substance beneath
the form. l am not so sure. That
there is an undue kOtowing to wealth
is perhaps true, but that is not con-
fined to Washington nor yet to Amer
lea. There may also be a spirit of
snobbery here, but if so it is for the
most part concealed. Washington is
what the country has made it. Men
here from every corner of
the land, bringing with them the pre-
dominant traits of their sections-the
delightful courtesy of the south, the
and friendliness Of the
west, the unassuming but real kindli-
ness of the east. Washington is the
nation in small compass, and snobbery
does not thrive In this atmosphere.
Many Concerned In Green Coal Claims.
Representative McLachlan of Cali
fornia has admitted that he was con-
nected with what is known as the
Green Alaska coal lands, to which
reference was made by Mr.. CLAWS in
his testimony, but states that Gov
ernor Gillett, Representatives Know
and and McKinlay Of California and
of Nebraska and a number of
others were also interested. But he
insists that there was nothing unlaw-
Pul in his action and that he expects
to get out of the claims less than he
put in. There is at least one good
hing about this investigation. 1t will
make it possible to sift matters TO the
potion and will so educate the public
hat 1t will make just and permanent
and policy imperative.
Where Payne and Clark Join Hands.
The movement for a congressional
inquiry into high prices is at last TAX
ng definite form. The house commit
&c on ways and means has appointed
Serene L. Payne and
Champ Clark, the majority and minori-
y floor leaders, a subcommittee to de-
rise a plan. 1t is probable that the
Investigation will be conducted by the
Ways and means committee itself or by
subcommittee from that body. II
his boycott keeps up, however, the in
luiry should get busy or there may be
10 high prices to investigate.
immigrants Not So Badly of.
The immigration commission has
made a report to congress i'm which it
cts forth two definite conclusions as
he results of a long and exhaustive
INQUIRY. The first is that immigrant
congestion I'm cities has been magni- /
led. and the second is that the stand |
I'D Of living maintained among these |
is not so bad as pictured. |
What congestion exists Il finds to be /
mong those recently arrived-that is, |
who have come to this |
ountry i'm the past FIVE or ten years. |
Conditions Of uncleanliness IL charges |
D municipal indifference. As to the |
Gale Of living. II is a matter that is |
irgely comparative anyway. and the /
are perhaps not I'm partic-
larry bad condition according to their |
wn standards. Notwithstanding all |
his optimism. It is our standards
-hich should govern. Since they are
ere. they are a part Of our Ameri-
an life. The inspection Of the east
de m New York. for example. Is not
thing thst brings uamixed joy TO one