Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1911-04-28
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
BY CLYDE H. TAvENNER.
Washington. D. c.. April "a. 1911.


On the day the present Congress was
called to order the writer happened to be
seated beside H. B. Martin, secretary to
the American Antitrust League. Just
after Speaker Champ Clark had concluded
MS now-famous opening address, Mr.. Mar
TIN turned toward me and said;
There is deeper meaning to this occa-
sion than most Of the spectators are aware
! am not speaking from partisan view
point. What allude to is that this is the
hrst time in forty years-the first time
since the trust problem has been acute in
this country that there is real. out-and-
Out antitrust majority in the House Of
Representatives"
Mr.. Martin was well qualified to give an
estimate Of the body of men before him.
For fourteen years he had labored among
the old members of CONGRESS and well knew
how each of them stood on the trust Ques-
ton. Then he had closely examined the
records of the new members and had as
certained their attitude on trusts
THE HOUSE ITs Own MASTER
The fact that majority of the members
OF the new House stand for the passage of
the reciprocity measure and the farmers
free-list bill is evidence that the House is
no longer controlled by the tariff trusts
Lumber. for instance. would not 90 on
the free list If Big Business was still in
control, Heretofore the lumber interests
the same interests and individuals that are
alleged to have elected and retained Lori
mer in the Senate been able to pre-
vent lumber from going on the free list.
The fact that wire fencing and other
steel manufactures are placed on the free
list, and that a sweeping investigation of
the steel trust will soon be begun under the
Stanley resolution is positive assurance
that the steel barons are no longer able to
dictate what bills shall die in committee
and what bills shall be enacted into law.
1t is evident also that the implement
combine has lost its grip on the House,
because agricultural implements, including
plows, harrows, reapers. binders and now
ers, appear on the farmers free list
Nor is the beef trust still in command.
If II was dressed meats would continue to
be taxed, instead of going on the free list
as provided in the Democratic program.
The TRUSTS Nor In The SADDLE Now.
Until this session of CONGRESS the lumber
trust, steel trust, implement trust and beef
trust have had easy sailing. They have
had but to contribute generously to Repub-
lcan campaign funds, receiving In return
at the hands of the Republicans sufficient
protection to give them monOpolies on
American markets and to enable them to
collect from consumers in excessive prices
not only the amount of their campaign
contributions, but handsome profits in adj
dtiOn thereto.
Men will always pay thousands to poll
ticians or to party funds In the hope of
getting back millions. Tariff for revenue not
only tends to prevent monopolies and the
consequent artificial prices, but cuts oT =
leading cause Of political dishonest atd
corruption.
SHERMAN Is A WISE OLD Owl
Vice-P President Sherman makes al deal
presiding officer of the Senate frol the
viewpoint Of the Old Guard He Aaows
how to sidetrack progressive legis alton.
and his heart is in the work
An instance When the resolution prn-
viding for the direct election of Senators
passed in the House by vote of 298 Co
49, was presented to the Senate Il was
Immediately referred by Vice-President
Sherman to the committee on priVileges
and elections.
This is the committee that whiteWashed
L0rimer. and as constituted at present Is
dominated absolutely by Tory senators
lnasmuch as the resolution in the last
Congress was referred to and acted upon
by the judiciary committee. the Senate WIS
amazed at Shermans action. Culberson,
of Texas, moved reconsideration OF the
action, and the resolution will probably
be turned over TO the judiciary committee
after all. The incident is impressive how
ever, as revealing how determined the oppo-
nents VI popular government are TO defect
the will Of the people. Jugglery OF char.
acter similar to Sherman's is being used 10
the secret conferences Of reactionaries in
determined effort to pack all the senate
committees against progressive legislation.
The PATRONAGE PROBLEM SOLVED
Step by step. the committee on patron
age, consisting Of Hon. James 7. Lloyd, Of
Missouri Hon. Martin ID. Foster, of Illinois.
and Hon. Benjamin G. Humphreys. of Mis-
sissippi, is working out the difficult prob
lem Of appOrtiOning the various positions
inherited by the Democrats along with the
control Of the House Of Representatives
That every one should receive the exact
position he preferred was obviously impOs-
sible. But the committee considered fully
the claims of the applicants, with the re-
suit that the House membership In general
is pleased with the results
WOODEN TAX To CONF Down.
One of the next steps in the Democratic
PROGRAM will be to reduce the heavy tax
on wooden goods. II this can be accom-
plished as planned by the Democrats. the
western senator who has been called the
greatest shepherd since Abraham may be
somewhat wrathy but ninety millions Of
Americans will wear more elegant and more
comfortable attire.
FIGHT JUST BEGUN.
The people. after long and stubborn
fight with special privilege. have restored
popular government in the House Of Rep
resentatives, the lower branch Of Congress.
The fight must not stop until the people
are equally well represented In the United
States senate and in the executive mansion.