The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1911-03-10
WASHINGTON LETTER.


The legislation that might have been is
as usual the swelling theme Of the Con-
gress which expired on thel4th Of March.
All Congresses open With thrilling pro-
grams. Legislation is needed. ',The
world moves as Calico said, but Con.
gress does not move with il The parcels
post bill has not been passed. The big
Texas Senator objected 10 ii about mid.
night in the midst of filibuster. and
that killed it. Many other urgent
measures have failed even 10 receive at.
tentiou. Public interests pine. The
lobby is as ever active and insistent.
making theirs appear tL !. peoples Eight.
1t is rude awakening TO our national
egoism to learn that the countries that we
have SO long referred to as effete despot-
isms are more pliable through their
sensitive governments to the interests Of
the people than is our own complicated
and clumsy legislative incumberance. For
the last week in Congress there have
been almost continuous night and day
Sessions with sleepy legislators polling
and scrapping at cross purposes in an
eudeavor to make political and personal
capital. Few Of them are represe natives
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 soms
Senators and Members of larger mold
and completed preparation for legislative
work, but they are without sufficient in
1nence on the legislative mass and,
unfortunately, some Of those who are best
equipped with intellect and experience,
as for example. the big Texas Senator.
have influence il national affairs thai Is
retrogressive and maligI.
~
During the present session the Execu-
tive has doubtless risen in public estiua-
ton. His promptness and his good
humored intention to carry ont reforms
and confirm broad national policies have
impressed the country His Cabinet is
one Of the strongest and most efficiens in
rational history. : The accomplishing ut
of the young Postmaster General in.
saving elevan millions of dollars in postal
expenses is solid and brilliant, aud If
Congress were responsive to the efforts of
the Postmaster General, this saving
could easily be doubled, but there it is
again--the Texas obstacle. The Post
master General is in fight to finish
with the magazines in determination TO
increase postage rates on advertising
matter. He is supported by the President
who told the magazine men in a recent
interview that his contention for an in
creased rate on second class postage had
only begun, and that they must expect to
face the issue in the next Congress: The
President said further that the United
States had spent quarter of q million of
dollars investigating the subject, and
that 10 view OF this fact the demand Of
the magazine men Of an investigation
was unnecessary; very thorough investi-
CATION had been made by the men who
know most about the postofice depart
ment. and that he the President, would
follow their Recommendation. "The
question we bage 10 decide, said the
President, lis whether there is burden
growing out Of second class mail and
then who increases that burden beyond
the government receipts. There has been
a suggestion by Il ose friendly advertise
ments I have seen covering whole pages,
that the motive of Mr.. Hitchcock and
myself is to get even with somebody.
Well, a man who has ordinary common
sense does not seek the continued
hostility of an inter. st as powerful as the
magazines. He only goes into eight of
this kind fronpa sense Of duty"
~
II am going ahead with it as long as I
am in Office. You may be able 10 defeat
the present proposal, These things are
frequently capable Of defeat for time.
But as long as have the power. am
going to recommend the consideration OF
this question until !. is settled. II is not
IN the slightest spirit Of hostility to the
magazines tina, have made this rec.
ommendation"
Has Millions Of Friends.