The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1910-02-18
WASHINGTON.
Legislative and Gem
eraI Topics from
the Capital.
February I2, 1910.

There has been a lull all the week in
the Ballenger investigation. but the inves-
tigation will be resumed in a few davs
with vigor and matter of Importance and
II IS said, of a sensational character will
be spread before the people. There is
no doubt but there was a deep laid plot
TO secure mineral and coal lands of almost
inestimable value by the Guggenheims,
one of whom, as it is well known is in
the Senate of the United States from Col
orado. That mere wealth without edu-
cation, learning, craftsmanship, reputation
or public service can secure a place in the
highest legislative body IN this hemis-
phere, has made many doubt the efficacy
or permanency OF popular government,
and 1t IS perhaps not without reason that
some people are turning toward socialism
aud others barking back 10 monarchy in
their disgust and desperation
There was a conference at the White
House last week between the President
of the United States and the boss of the
Senate, MIR. AldriCh, of Rhode Island,
and it is expected that other conferences
will be held in the near future relative to
the possible consequences, political, in
dus!rlal and financial, depending upon
! anticipated decisions Of the Supreme
Court of the United States in the oil and
tobacco cases. The tobacco case is now
awaiting decision in the hands Of the
Court. The Standard OIL case has been
advanced TO March I4th. The main sub
Ject discussed between the President and
Mr.. Aldrch to the projecting of the
amendments relating to the Interstate
Commerce Law. Legislation in this par
ticular is awaiting the Supreme Court de-
cisons in these two important cases.
Ihe Presidents speech at the Lincoln
birthday dinner at the New York Repub-
lCan Cub, about the several party
pledges and how they should be kept
makes 1t plain that he has not changed
his determination to investigate the con-
duct of all trusts and that rumors of
financial crises in Wall street will in no
wise deter him.
Information comes from the highest
place in the State Department that Secre-
tary Knox is not pleased with the merely
ornamental characteristics of large mum
Der OF our diplomatic establishments
abroad. He wants those debonair Young
fellows and old fellows to be doing somea
thing useful or TO have them come home
in order that he may appoint practical
and progressive men in their places. The
average diplomat scornS commercialism
and indusuidliSn and the suggestion that
he shall do something for the promotion
OF American commerce and trade abroad
IS wormwood to his sporty or aesthetic
disposition. OF course, our American
conSuIS are not dipomatists in the old
Mauernich or Tallerand sense In fact,
no such diplomatists longer exist Steam
and electricity have put old style diplo-
macy out OF business. There are other
means OF communication NOWADAYS than
by Couriers on horseback But there are
scores OF consular stations throughout
Europe, Asia, Africa and South America
where the consuls have quasi-diplomatiC
functions, although their usefulness is
largely as commercial agents. However.
as man is a social animal, social functions
and opportunities at these consular posts
have an effect to seduce the ordinary
young fellow sent abroad to Sybaritish
habits. They are disposed to spend but
few hours at Office and TO give the day
and night to pleasure. The United States
IS great corporation with hundreds of
thousands of servants, in fact far greater
number than it can adequately watch and
then every four years or SO new boss is
elected and almost before he can become
acquainted with the shop, his term of ser
vice is up. OF course, it is very import
ant that our consuls shall keep our manu-
faCturers advised with reference to trade
opportunities. Our foreign commerce
has greatly increased and we are selling
tremendous amount of stuff abroad for a
less price than we sell to our own people
at home. Sewing machines, typewriters.
shoes and even food stuffs exported from
America are sold in England, France and
Germany for less than they can be bought
in the United States.
The Department of Commerce and
Labor is the agency which determines
and reports upon the work that a consul
has undertaken to do. These reports go
to the State Department, where is kept
rating Of the consuls work Those that
are found deficient in activity are marked
or demerted very much as boy at
school Those who are not up to the
standard are politely reprimanded and
those consuls who spend their time play
ing bridge and poker and in other less
venial disspatons are likely 10 hear from
the Department in Washington in way
to cause them 10 quake if not to pack
and come home.