Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1911-05-19
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
BY CLYDE H. TAvENNER.
Washington, D. c., May is, 1

WdSilh6tOht ~ W. May 10, AOAls
In six weeks the Democratic House of
Representatives has passed more progress
sive and antitrust legislation than the
Republicans passed in fourteen years ad-
ministration of that branch of Congress.
The achievement up to date includes the
passage of bill providing for the publicity
Of campaign contributions before instead
OF after elections; the election of United
reciprocity with Canada and the farmers
free list bill. Other similar legislation is
to follow promptly.
Agitation for much of this legislation
has been going on for years. The Repub-
llcans heard the demand of the people for
relief, but could not enact such legislation
as has been passed by the Democratic
House because they had for years been re-
ceiving enormous campaign contributions
from the tariff trusts and other interests
which are opposed to progressive legisla-
ton Of the character passed by the Demo-
Gratis.
The Republicans have not only been
Obliged not to interfere with the monopO-
lies and profits of the tariff trusts, but
because of having accepted campaign funds
from the great corporations they have been
practically compelled to extend to them
immunity from investigation as well as
prosecution.
More than score of resolutions provid-
ing for the investigation of the steel trust.
the sugar trust and other big industrial
combines were introduced in every session
of Congress while the Republicans were in
power. Those resolutions, one and all, were
referred to committees that had been espe-
cially packed by Speaker Cannon with men
friendly to special privilege, with the re-
suit that all such resolutions died in the
committee.
Now it is different. For the first time
since the trust question has been acute,
the House of Representatives has an anti
trust majority.
The result is that the big committees are
manned by men who are free to 90 ahead
and investigate, and If the evidence war
rants. to take the proper steps toward
bringing about the prosecution of illegal
combinations in existence in restraint of
trade.
For the first time in good many years
the Capitol of the United States will soon
be the scene of honest investigations of the
industrial trusts of the country.
Heretofore 1t has been impossible for
the Government to control trusts because
the trusts controlled the Government. Now
it is to be determined whether the govern
ment of the people or special privilege
shall occupy the saddle.
WHAT The FREE LIST Bill Is.
Upon close investigation the farmers
free list" bill becomes mighty interesting
measure. 1t INTAKES many articles the
farmers use, but 1t means about as much
to all the other consumers. II puts 100
articles of common use on the free list and
it is estimated that 1t will save the public
some $300000,000. The measure won't
hit the revenues hard, either. The tariff
is nearly prohibitive on the 100 articles
concerned, so that the custom gets only
81, 100000 from this source.
REPUBLICANS FoRLoRN
Dismayed at the reverses sustained in
the last election, discouraged over the out
look for the future, and realizing that they
can take no stand against the progressive
Democratic legislation that will be backed
up by popular sentiment, the Republican
minority in the House of Representatives
presents sorry spectacle.
Minority Leader Mann seems to be fol-
lowing no set policy. except one Of general
obstruction to anything the Democrats
may suggest.
Differing radically on the issues, the
Republicans are not even harmonious on
Mr. Mann's policy of obstruction. Pro-
gressive Republicans like William Kent. Of
California, declare they were not elected
to waste time in blocking legislation or in
badgering any other party He was elected
to serve the public interest, and he intends
to do this. Several other prOgressives hold
the same view, which makes Mr.. Mann's
position all the more trying.
The majority of the Republicans, how.
ever. do nothing but grumble and oppose
apparently incapable of understanding that
the public cannot be deceived by unintelli-
gent partisan action, which has no higher
purpose. than that of public deception In
the interest of political organization al.
ready in public disfavor.
INCONSISTENT ACTION.
Most of the Republican members of the
House of Representatives who voted against
reciprocity sought to defend their votes by
declaring the measure was against the best
interests of the farmers, and that as they
prided themselves upon being friends OF
the farmers at every turn in the road. they
could not bring themselves TO vote for the
reciprocity BILL
Then came the farmers free list bill,
which untaxed agricultural implements
and nearly everything the farmer uses.
Here was a golden opportunity for the
friends of the farmers
But, 10 and behold, when it came time
to vote 100 Republicans who had been so
loud in proclaiming their affection for the
farmers, voted against the farmers free
list bill.
Signs Or The TIMES.
A remarkable vote for the United States
Senate was recorded when the resolution
to bring about the direct election of Sena-
tors was made the unfinished business and
thereby give precedence over all other
measures. Sixty-fve Senators voted on
the side Of the general proposition TO five
against. Every Democrat and every pro
gressive Republican present voted In the
affirmative. This does not mean that the
fight over the direct elections has been won
outright. But il does mean that the great
majority Of the Tory Senators have learned
that they cannot persistently resist public
sentiment and hope to retain their seats.
No one believes that the great majority of
Tory Senators who voted with the progress
sives wanted to vote as they did. They
were prompted solely by realization that
the public demands a change in the method
Of electine senators, and that further def
ance of the public would but hasten effec-
tive public resentment