The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1910-12-25
BY ARTHUR w. nuNn

congress VIII take just two weeks for
the holidays, adjourning Dec. q and
reconvening Thursday, Jan. 5. IF there
were primo necessity to pass 1egis.
lation perhaks Yecess would be cur
tailed, but thefe. not any great de-
sire to push things vigorously outside
of the appropriation bills.
One reason for taking so long a re-
cess Is that members have shown no
disposition to make long speeches or
indulge in very much talk. Business
rather than politics seems to engage
their attention, and under these condi
tons there is no danger of the wheels
becoming clogged.
The War Scare.
Much has been said about the de-
fenseless condition of the United States.
and General Leonard Wood, chief of
staff, who has been promoting the
talk, had to explain to the military
committee what it all meant. 1t was
shown that the war talk men have
scheme to put the country in a formi-
dable position, but it would cost $780,
000,o00, to be expended at once.
1t also appeared by answers of Wood
to questions that there are 1856 military
posts occupied by our very small army.
but he admitted half of them were
useless and should be abandoned. He
said the troops should be concentrated
in large posts, where they could drill
and teach the national guard
why do you have your big posts in
Kansas and Wyoming" asked Con-
gresham Stevens of Minnesota, '.when
the big bodies Of the national guard
are in New York, Pennsylvania and
other large and populous states?'
OF course General Wood could say
that he was not responsible for that
condition of things. but it is fact
that our military organization has been
mismanaged when the present situation
is considered. At the same time con-
gress is not going to be stampeded into
voting d large sum for our national de-
Tense. The opinion too generally pre-
walls that no nation wants to go to
war with us. and if one did there is
strength enough in the country to re
pei 1t.
Permanent Tariff Board.
There may not be a tariff commits
sion, but the probabilities are that the
present tariff board viii be provided
for III definite manner which, will
continue its existence even If the next
congress should refuse to make an APP
preparation for it
Here is a curious feature of legisla-
ton, and 1t is like the creation Of the
commerce court Not 10 per cent of
the men in congress wanted the com
merce court. but it went into the bill
and became law. Probably not more
than % per cent of congress wants the
tariff board made a permanent COM
mission. but il viii go through.
The power of president is very
great when exerted to its utmost OF
course there was big patronage behind
the commerce court. and the same is
true IN regard to the tariff board. And
nothing is quite as powerful in con-
gress as president with patronage.
Uncle Joe "Jolliess Payne.
For some time Chairman Payne Of
the ways and means committee stood
out against d permanent tariff board,
but was finally persuaded. The day
following his visit to the White House.
when he came into line. the papers an
nounced that the president had brought
him to time with firm language. After
the house adjourned Speaker Cannon
went down into the area and mingled
with the members He was leaning
against the clerks desk when Payne
came down the aisle and stopped IN
front of him.
'Oh. Payne, you wicked devil! ex-
claimed Uncle Joe I see the presl-
dent has spanked your Only he did
not use exactly that language
ooh. yes-in the newspapers, re
piled Payne.
ssWell, get spanked by SOMEBODY
every tiay," said the speaker, "and = 10
getting used to It. Z
NOT Talking Politics.
Those who expected that the Demo |
Gratis would seize upon the first oppor-
funitv that came to gloat over their
recent victory and precipitate warm /
political discussion have been dlsap-
pointed.
ssThe fact is they have troubles o.
their own to face" remarked Con
gresham Madden Of Illinois. efhex
know that IT is not only IN the organl-
cation Of the house and the seieeton
Of their committees that they WI
shave trouble. but the tariff is going g
be q hard subject for them.
About once d year the 10000 govern
snent clerks are folted BY the higher
ofRciaIs with a proposition OF SOU
kind to lengtIlen the hours s. 49,,
It may he one to eurtaii thelf anlius.
leave or sick leave or add mar y
hour to the day, but II Is sufneieh1 s
raise storm of protest And only
Iasf summer President Taft said every
....,.a ~ ba44a q Two months Ta-