Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1910-06-10
Vital Washington News.
BY TAvENEER,
Special Correspondent Of The Sentinel.

| pIcSSlOn 10 describe the gaR-rule L1ethO0s
inaugurated under Mr.. Taft.
Not merely the average employee OF the
government, but the highest officials are
afraid to give newspaper men information
as to what is going on. Employees are be.
ing made to feel that they owe no fidelity
to the public, but that they are mere per
sonal servants of the coterie of men now
in charge of the government.
AS a result Of the discharge of PinchOt
CLAWS and Kerby and other Interior Depart
ment employees, the average government
worker today feels that it is worth his po-
sition TO discuss even matters of public
record with newspaper man.
The following official order signed by
| George Otis Smith, director of the United
States Geological Survey, gives an idea Of
the Prussian-like censorship that has been
established over government information
Rule 2. That no interview shall be
granted without securing from the person
soliciting the same a promise that he will,
before submitting the material to his pub
LEGATION Office. present copy of his manu-
script to the director George Otis Smith,
for approval.
So far as is known among newspaper
men in Washington, nothing so drastic as
this in the way Of press censorship has
ever been attempted before in America.
In 1890, under Cleveland, the total an
nual appropriation for the expenses of the
national government was S340 ,0000 900,
or So for every man, woman and child. In
1900 our expenses had increased to $780,
100000, or So for every man, woman and
child. The last Congress appropriated the
colossal sum of $1,044, 401, 857, or nearly
$l2 for every man. woman and child. This
Congress threatens to spend S17 600, 900
in excess of last years appropriation.
Republicans appear reluctant to concern
themselves much about government expen-
ditures in relation to the cost of living
But one thing is certain, Government does
not pick up these hundreds of millions of
dollars in the street This money comes
out of somebody's pocket. Unlike city and
State governments, the national govern
ment has but one way Of raising revenue
to meet expenses, and that is by taxing
things eaten, worn or used by the people
Hence 1t is that increased cost of living is
marching hand-in-hand with increased Re-
publican extravaganza.
81 am sorry" said Senator Bristow of
Kansas, while discussing the railroad bill,
that the Senator from West Virginia Gel
kins) has deserted the chamber, and am
sorry the Senator from Rhode Island al
drich) is not here, and that the Senator
from Massachusetts UOdge) has also dis
appeared"
A survey of the Senate showed that the
Senators, after having outlined the
kind Of legislation they had decided should
be enacted. had fled from the chamber with
out waiting to hear those who disagreed
from the railroad viewpoint
Those of US who are here might posi-
bly, be instructed" suggested Democratic
Senator, upon noting BristOw's chagrn,
but If the Senator from Kansas imagines
that anything he can say will influence
those Senators he is wasting his time and
breath"
Il am afraid the Senator is right" an
swered Bristow. Then he went on address
ing the Democrats and the empty seats of
the standpatters.
Lest we forget, only nine of the 218 Re-
publicans Of the national House of Repre-
sentatives are in a position to stand before
their constituents and report that they
voted to unseat Cannon as Speaker. PAGE
1880 of the Congressional Record shows
that on March 10 all but nine Republicans
voted against the BurlesOn resolution which
would have unseated Speaker Cannon and
made 1t possible to elect new Speaker.
Every Democrat voted to unseat Uncle
Joe"
A brief definition of "Cannonism" has
been asked for. CannOnism means that
when the common people and the interests
OF the steel trust, the sugar trust. the lum-
Der trust the harvester trust and the com
bination of New England cotton manufac-
ft.r int sn3 h. doa Al
legislation they want and the people are
forced to take that which they do not want
The Payne-Aldrich law is a good illustra-
ton The people said: I'VE want down.
ward revision of the tariff in order that
the cost Of living may be lessened." The cor
porate interests said: I'VE want upward
revision in order that our profits may in
crease" The people were disappointed,
and the campaign tariff trusts
were obeyed. That is Cannonism.
Senator Robert M. LaFollette, of Wiscon-
sin. sometimes thinks Of the most unheard-
of things. For instance, in the Senate the
other day in discussing President Taft's
railroad bill. he said: There is not one
line in the statute to give to the people
reasonable railroad rates. All that has
been accomplished is to afford a means Of
giving equal rates to the shippers" Now,
who except LaFOllette or some other Demo-
crat would think of thatS
Direct charges that the Morgan-Guggen-
helm syndicate caused the appointment of
the federal judge, the prosecuting attorney
and the United States marshal who will
represent the government in suits over the
Cunningham coal-land claims (Which Bal
linger was so friendly toy have been made
before the Senate Committee on Judiciary.
A responsible party, Judge James Wicker
sham. delegate to Congress from Alaska,
made the charge.