Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1910-06-10
Washington News.
BY Clyde III. Tavennsr.

Washington, Jane-Government by
stealth, Is lifting expression tc de-
scribe the gas-rule methods inaugu-
rated under Mr.. Taft.
Not merely the average employee Of
the government, but the highest off,
Gals, are afraid to give newspaper men
information as 10 what 10 going on.
Employees are being made to feel
that they owe no idelity to the pub
lie, but that they are mere personsl
servants Of the cotsrie Of men now In
charge Of the govern u ent.
AS a result OF the discharge of Pinch
OF, CLAWS. kerby and other interior
department. employees, the average
government worker today feels that II
is worth his position to discuss even
matters Of public record. with news
paper man.
The GLOWING 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 govern
ment information
"Rule2 That no interview shall be
granted without securing from the per-
son soliciting the same promise thst
he will, before submitting the mate
rial to his publication office, present
copy of his manuscript TO the direc-
tor George Otis SMITH for approval. I"
So far SIS is known among newspap-
er asn in Washington, nothing so
drastic az this in the way Of press cen
sorship has ever been attempted be-
fore in America.
In 1890, under Cleveland, the total
annual Appropriation for the expenses
of the national government was $780,
900 900, or IS for every man, woman
and child. In 1900 our expenses had
increased toS600, 900 900, or S. for every
man, woman and child. The last Con-
gress appropriated the colossal sum OF
81 ,044, 401 ,S57, or nearly $40 for every
man, women and child. This Congress
threatens to spend ST, 1900, 0o0in excess
of last years appropriation.
Republicans appear reluctant to con-
Germ them selves much about govern
ment expenditures 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 some
body's pocket Unlike city and state
governments, the national govern
ment has but one way Of raising rev.
euue to meet expenses, and that is by
taxing things eaten, Worn and used
by the people. Hence it is that increas-
ed cost of living is marching hand-in.
hand with increased Republican ex-
| trayaganee.
81 am sorry" said Senator Bristew,
of Kansas, while discussing the rail
road bill, "that the senator from West
| Virginia tElkins) has deserted the
chamber, and I am sorry the senator
from Rhode Island (Aldrich) is not
here, and that the senator from Mass
achusetts LODGE has also disappear
ed.u
A survey of the senate showed that
the railroad senators, after having out
lined the kind of legislation they had
decided should be enacted, had fed
| from the cham Der without waiting to
hear those who disagreed from the rail-
road viewpoint.
"Those of us who are here might
possibly be instructed suggested a
Democratic senator, upon noting
Bristow's chagrin, "but if the senator
from Kansas imagines that anything
he can say will influence those sena-
tors he is wasting his time and
/ BREATH"
81 am afraid the senator is right,
answered Bristow. Then he went on
add essi the democrats aud the
EN- PITY seats OF the standpstters.
Lest we forget, only nine Of the 2ls
| Republicans of the national House OF
Represent 'tives are il. position to
| stand before their constituents and re
port that they voted 10 unseat Cannon
as speaker. Page 549) Of the Congress
eional Record shows that on March Is
all but nine Republicans voted ageinsl
! the Burleson resolution winch would
have upseated Speaker Cannon and
made it possible TO elect new SPEAK
er. Every Democrat voted to unseat
"Uncle joe"
A ur efdeiiaition of "Cannonism has
been asked for. Cam onism means that
when interests Of the common people
and the interests of the steel trust, the
sugar trust, the lumb Der trust, the har
| ,astar trnst and ths rom hi I'M alton OF