The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser., 1910-12-09
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER
Washington, D. c., December 2, 1910
Mr., Editor:

Washington, D. c., December 2, 1910
Mr.. Editor:
After a recess and an election event
full in American politics, the national
legislature is again in session in Wash
ington. 1t will be a full year, however,
before the result of the recent elections
can be fully felt in legislation, and by
that time there may be such changes
in commercial, industrial and political
conditions that the intention of the
voters as expressed few weeks ago
will be modified or in some instances
nullified. It is an unfortunate condi-
tion that twelve months must elapse
and . session of Congress intervene
before the will Of the country as ex-
pressed at the polls can be carried in
to effect, and when it is remembered
that this condition is fixed in the Con-
stitution, that fetish of the American
lawyer and statesman, it is difficult to
see how reform can be effected.
1t is expected that the present session
will address itself to routine business,
the passage of appropriation bills and
necessary non-political measures. The
Presidents proclamation has recon-
mended as mat er of course important
new legislation, but there is little pros
pect of it's being carried out. Nothing
much will De done until after the
Christmas holidays, and then barely
two months of the Congressional
session will remain before this Congress,
on the 4th of March, will be ex officio,
and, as has been said, the new Con-
gress just elected to do and undo so
much will not have its chance for twelve
months.
Among the measures that will surely
have hearing in the discussions under
the appropriation bills will be the SUBJ
ject of the fortifcation of the Panama
Canal and there will be confusion Of
party lines in the debate on this ques-
ton. Some Republicans and some
Democrats will oppose the military pro-
gram proposed by the President, while
other Republicans and Democrats will
approve it. Mr.. Tawney, Chairman Of
the Appropriations Committee, who
failed of reelection, will urge that the
Canal shall be made free waterway.
unguarded by fortresses or cannon,
while those of the Roosevelt and Taft
school Of politics will insist that prop
erty costing nearly half a billion of
dollars and essential to the defense of
our extensive western coast line shall
not be left without adequate military
protection, always, of course, Sin the
interest of peace" as Mr.. Roosevelt
would express it.
There is much comment in Washing
ton with regard to the almost oppres-
sive silence of Roosevelt since the cleo
tion. He has completely disappeared
from the political armament, and now
instead of headlines and columns on the
first pages of the daily papers, there
il not even paragraph of caricature.
The explanation is that he has probably
given a tip to his friends, reporters
and caricaturists (for between him and
them there has been loyalty mutual
and ideaD that they shall give him an
indefinite term of exclusive privacy. 1t
would not be bad for Mr.. Roosevelt's
political future if he should let his
beard grow, take the Canadian route
to Van Couver, sail on the Express of
India line to Yokahoma, and spend the
next two years in Japan, China, the
Philippines, Java, Straits, Settlements
and India, returning to this country in
time to mix in the next Presidential
election, either as principal, or
assistant. Travel, observation.
and meditation will be good for
even so we'll equipped a man as the
only ex-President of the United States.
1t is said that an effort will be made
by the Postmaster General, backed by
the administration, to pass a bill re-
ducing postage on sealed letters to one
cent and also to carry into effect the
long opposed parcels-post privileges
enjoyed by all foreign peoples, but
through the influence of the express
companies withheld from the citizens
Of the United States. The American
citizen living in Washington may send
a ten pound package bymail to London,
Paris, Berlin or Vienna, he cannot send
the same Package to Baltimore, only
one hour distant, or to Philadelphia or
New York, four and five hours distant.
II the package should weigh only four
pounds he can send it by mail for 81
cents to any Of these cities, but the
four pounds to the European destina-
ton costs only 48 cents. The Post
office Department is not responsible
for these outrages. They are the re-
suit of the monopoly which the express
through their influence in
the Senate and House have been abe
to maintain in the distribution of pack
age by mail. In other words, the ex-
press companies will not be able to
L. L =