Middletown transcript., 1911-03-11
WASHINGTON LETTER

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THE Legislation that might have been
4 as usual the swelling theme of the Cor
gresses open with thrilling programs
Legislation is needed. ''The worl
moves" as Galileo said, but Congress
does not move With it. The parcel
post bill has not been passed. The bi
Texas Senator objected to it about mid
night in the midst of q ilibuster, and tba
killed it. Many other urgent measure
have failed even to receive attention
Public interests pines. The lobby is Al
ever active and insistent, making their
appear the peoples fight. It is q rude
awakening to our national egoism to learn
that the countries that We have so long re.
ferred to as effective despotism6 are most
pliable through their sensitive govern.
ments to the interests of the people than
is our own complicated and clumsy legis-
latiYe incumberance. For the last week
10 Congress there have been almost con.
tinuous night ddsy sessions with sleepy
legislators pulling and scrapping at cro,s
purposes in an endeavor to make political
and personal capital. Few of them are
representatives in any large sense of the
whole people. Most of them represent
first themselves, their private fortunes
and ambitions, or at most provincial rather
than national Interests. There are, of
course some Senators and Members of
larger mold and coDpleter preparation for
legislative work, but they are without
sufficient influence on the legislative mass
and, unfortunately, some of those who
are best equipped with intellect and ex-
perience, as, for example, the big Texas
have influence in national affairs
that is retrogressiye and malign.
So
During the present session the Execu-
tive has doubtless risen in public estima.
ton. His promptness aad bis good
humored intention to carry out re-
forms and confirm broad national policies
have impressed the country. His Cabinet
is one OF the strongest aud most efficient
in national history. The accomplish
ment of the young Portmaster General in
saving eleven mil ions OF dollars in postal
expenses is solid and brilliant, and if
Congress were responsible to the efforts of
he Postmaster General, this saving could
EASILY be doubled, but there it is again
he Texas obstacle. The Postmaster
General ISL fight to finish with the |
magazines in discrimination to increase
postage rates on advertising matter. He |
8 supported By the President, who told |
be magazine men in recent interview |
hat his contei,tion for an increased rate
N secoDd class postage had only begun,
no that they must expect to face the is
ue in the next Congress. The President
aid further that the United States has
pent qlarter of million of dollars in
estigatiug the subject, and that in view
( this fact the demand OF the magazine
len for an investigation was sunnecessary;a
cry thorough investigation had been
lade by the men who know most about
he postofice department, and that he,
be President, would follow their recon-
,eudation. "The question We have to
ecide." said the President, sis whether
lers lie burden growing out of second
lass mail, and then who increases that
urdsn beyond the government receipts.
here has been a suggestion by those
iendly advertisements have seen cover
lg whoe pages, that the motive of Mr..
hitchcock and myself is to get even with
,mebody. Well, man who has ordi-
ary common sense does seek the contin-
I'd hostility Of an interest as powerful as
le magazines. He only goes into fight
lis kind from sense of duty"
II am going ahead with it as long as |
D in office. You may be able to defeat
e present proposal. These things are
equently capable OF defeat for a time.
1t as long as | have the power, I am
ing to recommend the consideration OF
is question until it is eettled. 1t is not
the slightest epirit of hostility to the
agazines that l have made this recon- fk
sndation." '