The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1910-12-09
WASHINGTON LETTER.

1.-THE rules of the House OF Represents.
tives are opened to amendment, either 1T
me short session Of the present Congress
or during the next Congress, ii is more
han probable that an effort will be made
by a number Of members, irrespective OF
party, TO have the House adopt one look
ng to scientific AMI economical dis
ribution of Government funds. Business
msn of the House who have been study.
ing the method of preparing .appropria-
lion bills are convinced that there is a
vast amount of needless extravaganza
and waste at every session of Congress
These men believed that the 5000, ooo..
900 annual.saving which Senator Aldrich
says could be male if business man
we're running the Government would b.
An accomplished fact if the various ap
preparation committees practiced the
same economy that President Taft is nov
demanding of the several executive de
partments.
OF the billion dollars now appropriated
at each session of Congress, little more
than half originates in the House Com
mittee on appropriations. The remain
der is distributed among the Agricul
tural. Navy, Army, Pos,ofice aud other
Committees. These committees make u,
their appropriation bills at each session
OF Congress with an ute, disregard of the
probable revenue during the fiscal year
in which appropriations are to be made
Two plans are under consideration b,
members Of the House who believe Con
gress should be FIRST to practice economy
One involves an amendment to the rul.e
referring appropriation bills of ever,
nature to the Appropriations Committee
and enlarging the COMMITTEE sufficiently
to permit the members to be divided NJ
INTO sub. committees. each sub COMMITTEES
TO have charge of a particular appropria
ton bill. Final judgment as to tn.
merits of each item in an appropriation
bill would rest with the full Committee
LIZ OA1GI pau Involves luz dDpO1nt.
ment of budget committee, TO consist OF
the chairman of each of the com mttets
in the House having charge of an appro
priation bill. 1t is proposed TO have this
COMMITTEES employ experts who would he
thoroughly familiar with the finances OF
the Government, who would estimate the
probable income of the Government from,
all sources and submit to the committee
estimates as to the amount of none,
which Congress could appropriate.
A committee somewhat along isis line
was appointed in the Senate at the las,
session CT Congress, but thus far it has
made little or no Roadway. /
~
After recess and an election eventful
in American politics. the national legis
lature is again in session in Washington
II will be full wear. however, before tn.
result of the recent elections can be full,
felt in legislation. and by that time ther.
may be such changes in commercial. IN.
dustrial and political conditions that tb.
intention of the voters as expressed few
weeks ago will be modified or in some in
stances nnllifed. 1t is an unfortunat,
condition that twelve months must elaps.
and q session Of Congress intervene befor.
the will of the country as expressed at the
polls can be carried into effect, and when
it is remembered that this condition il
fixed in the Constitution. that fetish OF
the American lawyer and statesmen, it is
difficult to see bow reform can be
effected
1t IS expected that the present session
win address itself to routine business, the
passage of appropriation bills and ueces
sary non political measures. The Presi
dents proclamation has recommended a.
mattar of course important new legsla
ton, but there Is little prospect OF i,s
being carried out Nothing much will
he done until after the Christmas holt
days. aod then barely two months Of the
Congressional session will remain before
this Congress, on the 4th of March, will
he ex oficio. aud, as has been said. the
new Congress 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 sub
ject OF the fertilization of the Panama
Canal and there will be a confusion Of
party lines in the debate on this question