The Republican journal., 1910-03-10
Letters from Washington.
Men and Affairs at the National Capital.
What the Maine Delegation is Doing.

VASh anu 11haiiS al tGc NdtiOndl AdpItd'.
What the Maine Delegation is Doing.
WASHINGTON, .. c., March 7th. Every
government wheel is in motion these
midwinter days at Washington. The
great federal machine, through which
national affairs are administered, is op-
Grating at full speed. The weeks and
months since Congress assembled have
been occupied much in preparation and
in elaboration, in sounding and trying
out public sentiment. in determining the
wisest courses to pursue, and now the
period for ''full speed ahead has at last
arrived.
Maine people at the Capitol are par
ticipating in this activity. The veteran
Senators from the Pine Tree State, of
recognized ability and influence, are hav
ing their share of the tasks in hand.
They are devoting themselves, just now,
almost entirely to appropriation bills,
which supply the wherewithal and which
are, after all, the most essential legisla-
tive measures Of every session Of Con-
gress. Senator Hale, chairman Of ap-
propriatiors, handles so many of those
supply bills every year that it gets to be
an old story with him. But Senator
Frye is also handling an appropriation
bill-that on Rivers and Harbors- and
he promises to rival the record of his
colleague, Senator Hale, in the eXpedi-
ton and thoroughness with which he
achieves its consideration by the Senate.
Every one of the four Maine members
of the House are ''doing things" these
March days. The House has become
aroused to its legislative duties The
House Committees, where all the Maine
men hold important assignments. are
completing measures during the morn
ing committee sessions and the House is
giving attention to these measures dur
ing its sessions in the afternoon and, of
late, also, at sessions in the evening.
The Maine men have taken much inter-
est in the efforts at economy and against
extravaganza and have been tower of
strength in that regard in supporting the
House leaders. They have also brought
out number of bills of sufficient merit
to command the attention of the House.
Representative Burleigh is following
very closely this week the deliberations
over the Postoffice appropriation bill.
Although he has never been member
of the Postoffices and Postroads Commit
tee, which makes up that annual appro-
preparation bill, he has taken always a
lively interest in this annual legislation
providing funds and prescribing qualifi-
cations for the disbursement thereof. 1t
is often said that the postal service is
closer to the people than any other gov
ernmental activity. Gov. Burleigh has
appreciated that fact, especially as the
Third district, while having several
cities, is largely an agricultural district
and the farmers there are much inter-
ested in having the best possible mail
facilities.
A man of practical business attain
ments, Gov Burleigh has sympathized
with the demands for introducing better
business methods in administering that
great business department. He believes
that necessarily there should be an over
hauling of the Department every few
years to bring the methods up to date
and has advised much with the authori-
ties in that regard. But he also believes
in spending sufficient money to assure
an efficient service and that, even if it
means a deficit, it is preferable to ex-
tend the facilities If the service con-
stantly, than to curtail them.
The Governor is having heavy mail
from his soldier constituents this winter.
There are still many old soldiers in the
four counties of the third district whose
pension claims have not been finally adj
.iusted. During all his long service in
the House he has made a feature of his
Congressional work in attending prompt
" 20 the advancement of these claims
before the Pension Bureau. He has lit
orally examined thousands of claims for
third District soldiers pending there,
sought out the defects in their papers
and advised the claimants what was nee
essary to be done to hasten the payments
in their behalf. AS the years go by
these appeals to him become more nu-
merous. A good share of the Governors
official correspondence has to do with |
these pension claims. He has been
spending several days at the Pension Blu
reau of late, taking up large batch of
recent cases.
President Taft is showing much appre-
citation these days of the labors of a
former Ellsworth man, Prof. Henry C.
Emery, as his lieutenant in tariff mat
ters. The question of maximum or mini
mum rates for foreign countries must be
upon before the close of
March. 1t has been troublesome ques-
ton to the President, full of worries and
He has turned the work
very largely over to his tariff board, of
which Prof. Emery is chairman and feels
highly gratifed at the results already
aobio,-oJ