Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-06-13
Original Advocate of Some Postal
Bank Legislation, Once Was Looked
Upon as Freakish and Popuistic-
Tried to Pry Lid OFF of eaIIinser-
pinchot Row.
Especial Correspondence

to his senatorial ambitions. He is out
for the seat and thes calp of Senator
Elmer Jacob Burkett, republican.
It is about six years since Mr.. Hitch
cock came to the house. During his
first session he introduced a bill which
was widely heralded as one of the most
interesting pieces of freak legislation
that any half baked populist had at
tempted to perpetrate in recent times.
It was positively laughable. OF course,
1t didn't have ghost Of a chance ever
to be passed, but it was an illustration
of the peculiarly idotic extremes to
which radicals and theorists could go.
It was nothing less in fact than bill
to establish post savings banks in this
country.
Mr.. Hitchcock made a speech in ia
Hor Of his bill, and that was about all
that happened. The next session he
introduced the bill again, made another
speech, indicated no resentment what
ever, when folks poked fun at his
freakish financial notions, and sat
tight.
Two or three days ago, when the re-
publican administrations postal saw
ings bank bill was before the house, its
passage assured by a large majority,
Mr.. Hitchcock asked for grant of
time to make few desultory obser-
vations. When he rose in his place he
recounted his own relations to this par
ticular project, and was even SO dis
agreeable as to designate in person
some statesman who five years before
had regarded the idea Of postal saw
ing bank as peculiarly humorous, but
who now were speaking and voting at
NV, In 1P
Hitchcock extracted fully 100 per cent
more Of satisfaction out Of that speech
than did any OF the gentlemen whose
sense of humor had been SO much ap-
pealed to fve year years earlier.
When the present session of congress
opened this same busy Hitchcock per-
son put in a good deal of time search
ing for place to insert pry under
the lid which -,as then trying nobly
TO. Keep the Ballinger-P inchot con-
troversy from bubbling over. 1t was
understood that the administration
WAS determined to suppress the thing,
and that under no circumstances was
the quarrel to be permitted any con-
gressional recognition. Not being able
to see it that way. Mr.. Hitchcock kept
right on looking for trouble, and finally
he discovered some things about the
interior department that he was very
sure needed investigation. So he made
speech, charging that the Ballinger
administration was not making proper
use Of the million-dollar appropriation
made two years ago to be used in fer
reting out and prosecuting fraud
against the public domain. His first
speech caused some worriment, but
brought no results. Then he loaded
up with another set Of specific charges
and detailed information, and a few
days later unlimbered his oratorical
artillery and resumed the lombard
ment, at the same time introducing a
resolution calling for an investigation
of the uses that had been made of this
million dollar fund.
The administration supporters in
sisted there was nothing in the charges,
but Hitchcock indicated a fixed pur-
pose OF making a speech every time he
could get on the floor, and making
himself so generally disagreeable
about 1t, that the house finally passed
his resolution. The investigation was
taken up by the committee on ex-
penditures in the department of the
interior, and promptly attracted a good
deal Of attention, developing various
things which called for explanation.
The Investigation presently worked
around to the frilled edges Of the main
controversy, between Ballinger and
Pinchot; and before long the situation
a,ad got so animated, and charges and
counter charges were flying so fast,
that Secretary Ballinger and the adj
nninistration changed their tactics en-
kirely, Secretary Ballinger wrote a let
ter demanding a general vindication of
his own department and the forest
service, the resolution was passed, and
. special committee proceeded to the
big inquiry which has been the most
sensational event OF the session.
And every time Mr.. Hitchcock thinks
of that investigation, he has another
attack OF that vindicated feeling.
49,
The snub direct is fast developing in
to one Of the most distinguished social
aecomplishme nts Of President Taft.
The recent sad experience of Repre-
sentative Francis Burton Harrison, OF
New York, has been responsible for
getting into circulation the story of an
other recent notable snub administered
by the president. The victim was Rep
resentative Charles Dc. Townsend, Of
Michigan. It happened somewhat in
this wise.
Mr.. Townsend is a candidate for the
senate In Michigan, with special de-
signs upon the toga now worn by the
Honorable Julius Caesar Burrows. The
Honorable Julius Caesar, having by
aint Of long usage become greatly at
tsched to that particular toga, has no
possible idea OF separating himself
from it without a huge row Conse-
.uuently, there are real doings in Mich
9gan.
Recently president Taft spoke at a
abik meeting at Jackson, Mich, the
home of nIr Townsend. Townsend was
1.nair1r,<.ss :.a presented the speaker.
takfnx advantage incidentally OF the
opportunity to make q speech that was
carefully calculated to do no harm to
the Townsend senatorial aspirations
HE presented Senator William Alden
lHmfth, President Taft, and various
n4her notables, all Of whom delivered
themselves OF appropriate obseTv ati01s.
;3ut he entirely overlooked the oppor-