Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-12-15
Dit Of Routine Work in
Congress Before Holidays,
HIM Delegation Encouraged BY
Feeling Toward AppblilpnInent
Izapssl assogaiiloa fer Psary Prob
NJ llajse nen from other States.

Washington, D. c., Dec. A.
. Especially is drifting along
with routine work, which is, of course,
very important but which does no!
Stir the, interest profoundly. The
Hpli1ay recess for about fifteen days
win begin next week and during that
Period some of the Maine congress
men Will retffn TO their homes.
Representative Burleigh. Of the
Third District, took up the matter of
an superintendent bill as soon as he
reached Washington and this week,
now that the, total census of popula-
ton has been announced, is as busy
as man in four states. He thought
at first that it was nearly hopeless to
expect an apportionment from this
Congress which would ensure Maine
four members Of the House during the
next decade. After talking with many
members Of tine House and ascertain
ing sentiment he is feeling a little
more encouraged. 1t will be an ex-
ceedingly uphill fight, as is pretty
well understood in Maine. There are
some things, however, which favor
such fight and Gov. Burleigh be-
lieves the most possible should be
made of these. It seems that the
House authorities are about to tear
out the benches and desks and reduce
the size of the Legislative hillI Seats
only will be- placed there instead,
tHt1ter. One Stock Argument of the
opposition has been that 1t is pracu-
cally Impossible TO put anymore desks
and chairs in the hall of the House
without making it very inconvenient
for the members. But even with a
reduced hail, sufficient chairs can be
placed there to accommodate more
than $50 members.
There are many states to whom the
argument of larger House member
ship appeals. 1t gives those states an
increased number of federal places.
Gov. Burleigh has canvassed the sit
uattons very thoroughly already and
knows the state delegations. both
Democratic and Republican, that are
diEposed to respond to such an appeal
and muster their votes in support OF
It. He has already made some fig
ufes on the total voting strength
which can be summoned in behalf of
the proposition. He is not in a posi-.
ton yet to say that victory is ahead
but the showing is sufficient to en-
courage him to work with redoubled
energy.
Names distinguished explorer, Capt.
Robert r. Peary. of the Navy, seems
in fair way now to receive from
Congress some proper recognition for
III aS1, .Iz;k nnT,t -
the North Pole Senator Hale got
through the Senate last year a bill,
authorizing the nomination of Capt.
Peary to the retired list of the Navy
with the rank Of rear admiral, but it
was blocked in the House. largely by
the efforts of a former Somerset coun-
~. man.. Representative Ernest w.
Roberts The Maine men in the
House worked assiduously to get the
bill out of the naval affairs committee
and were aided materially by a Cali
fornia member of the committee. Rep
resentative w. +. Englebright, who
came from down Cape Cod way in
Massachusetts,
The effort was chiefly to avoid en-
barassment to the Navy Department
lest it should Become necessary to as
sigh Capt. Peary to duty as a civil
engineer as he belongs to that branch
of the Navy and the only work he can
be EiYen 10 supervision of construction
work at, some Of the Navy. yards. I'M
less solpex fancy, duty could be found
for him. It was finally decided to as
sign him to the Department of Justice
to act as adviser in certain cases. in
volving Navy Department interests.
That was. in fact. only nominal duty
and the work is very light
Now that President Taft and Secre>
tary of the Navy Meyer have both
Recommended that Congress make
Capt. Peary an admiral on the civil
engineer retired list and as both Presi-
dent. Taft and ex-President Rooevelt
have announced their convictions that
Peary actually reached the Pole it Is
expected that much of the opposition
I'm Congress will subside. Action by
the House is, about all that is neccs-
sary as the adoption of the Senate
hilt,ssvhft:h Mr.. Hale introduced and
pnssed, with some slight amendments,
Mould meet the situation, ....--.-
49, sIT::73 MAINE NeNYRhl ! \