The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1911-01-13

OF letters on the subject which have
been received by senators and repre-
sentatives from their constituents. The
country, II the letter writer's represent
Its views, seems to fear that II a civil
pension list is once established there
VIII be no end to 1t. In other words.
the argument is that II the department
clerks are pensioned the day will come
when senators and representatives,
cabinet officers, customs officials and
all other government employees will
be asking for money to care for them
In their old age.
The friends Of the pension plan say
1t is intended that no one shall receive
a pension unless he has served the
government for 80 years and that this
will do away with the danger OF giving
pensions to appointive officials who
are not under the civil service.
Ship Subsidy Prospects.
1t seems to be virtually assured that
the senate will pass a ship subsidy
bill before this session ends, and 1t is
within the limit of possibilities that
the house will follow suit. Senators
and representatives found out that the
word subsidy" had hurt the cause OF
their particular legislation, and 80
present senate bill, which is fathered
by Senator Gallinger of New Hamp-
shire, is called innocuously, an Ocean
Mail Service Measure"
The subsidy which will be granted
to ship builders II this bill becomes
law is an indirect one. but none the
less 1t Is subsidy. 1t provides
round sum in payment for mail carry
ing service in steamships Of different
classes between the ports OF the
United States and ports Of South
America, the Philippines. Japan. Aus
tralasia and Panama. The amount that
is to be paid is said to be SUFFICIENT to
induce Americans to build and to put
steamships into the service, thereby
strengthening the merchant marine
and to a considerable measure restor-
ing the American flag to the seas.
Coast Districts Support It.
Ship subsidy in times past has had
stormy sailing In house and senate,
and while the measure Is likely to
make harbor In the upper house at
the present session, 1t may be that the
lower house will deny it passage, and
II it does succeed In getting an af-
firmative vote from the representa-
tives the majority will be exceedingly
small.
Naturally the strength of the sup.
port for the bill comes from the coast
wise districts. The middle western
members are said to be largely against
the measure. 1t has been trouble
some theme for congressional discus
zion for years. 1t has produced one
investigation because Of editorial
charges brought by advocates OF the
bill against members Of congress. and
1t has been shifted from one commit
tete to another until finally 1t Was put
back into the committee where II
seems to belong, that on merchant ma
rine, congress certainly will be re-
lleved II the bill is given life or killed
beyond hope of resurrection, for 1t has
taken up a great amount OF legislative
time.
The holiday season in Washington
Is one OF cheer in every home which
has the heart to produce 1t. The White
House always is joyful at the holiday
: time, and 1t has been especially &c
since families of children have been in
stalled therein. At every army pos
and on every ship in the naval service
there are dinners, entertainments anC
general rejoicing from a day or two
before Christmas until a day or two
after New Year enters. This connec
ton in one paragraph Of cheer at thu
White House and cheer in the armed
service has brought out White House
= army story.
Christmas Tale Of "snowbjrd."
Early in November one year a mai
who had deserted from the army re
! ported at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. ant
gave himself up as deserter. His rec
o ord was looked up. and 1t was fount
that he was what he admitted himsel
to be. man who had forsaken tn
colors. He was put In the guard hous
: to await trial.
Every year in November when tn
| cold weather comes on anu tue plnCl
of hunger and frost makes itself fel
/ good many deserters surrender them
selves, knowing that they will b
Z housed and we'll fed while waiting
. trial, and that of course they may hav
J. some chance of escaping conviction.
u The soldiers call these desert
ers who surrender "snowbirds."
6 few days before Christmas the SNOW
. bird" who had surrendered at For
sheridan became sorry that he ha
given himself up, and so sat down i
" the guard house and wrote an appea
,. ing letter to Mrs. Benjamin Harrison
u wife OF the President of the Unite
States, and in 1t he told how repent
ant he was for deserving and wha
i an altogether dismal thing 1t was to b
II behind the bars in the glad season Q
good will to men.
;, White House tradition has 1t tina
this letter reached Mrs. Harrison O
Christmas eve, when everything wa
a Na To- otr opd