The Washington herald., 1911-07-30
MINORITY LEADER PREDICTS WAR
EITHER DEADLY OR COMMERCIAL

watch LEGISLATION. back in the Fifty.
eighth Congress, what did he say?"
He didn't say anything, because he
never asked me to perform the duty you
mention-that is a newspaper fiction.
had managed his campaign when he was
candidate for Speaker. After his cleo
tion, noticed that he was very liberal
in recognizing men who asked for unani-
nous consent to call up bills and put
them on their passage. Reed was par
ticularly strict In such matters He thus
stopped a good many measures that were
either vicious or foolish. Gen. Hender-
son, who followed Reed, was also care
full. Mr.. Cannon, I thought, might get
into trouble.
Often Disagreed with Cannon.
Accordingly, began watching, as you
term 1t, and objecting. Mr.. Cannon and
did not always agree, but we never
quarreled. Put the responsibility on
me- I would say, when kilograms, let:
ters, and editorials came pouring IN
from the country. The bill shall never
pass unless ! lose my voice and can't
make motions with my hands,"
What are the troubles and what are
the pleasures Of minority leader?"
"All work is pleasant, even though
say work ordinarily is compelled by some
purpose. Troubles do not disturb me. As
a young lawyer, determined to do all
could with every case, and then pa
tiently to wait for results. II lost,
did not worry; II won. so much the
better for my client. Serenity is a mat
ter. of will as well as of temperament 7
bsary AlI LfI4
new place. Now that I lead the minor
ity, an honor and accountability I did
not seek, shall do the best can. II the
Democrats suggest legislation that IS
good for the people from our standpoint,
We shall help them. When they make
any mistakes, we shall see that the coun-
try is fully informed on the subject"
Are lobbyists as numerous about the
Capitol as they used to be?'
"I have been in Congress fourteen
years, but I have seen no lobbyists. A
man whom I occasionally met in the
streets of Chicago and with whom I
had a nodding acquaintance, would some-
times come into my office and ask for a
bill. So far as I could learn, he never
spoke to any one about legislation.
have heard it said. however, that he was
lobbyist and drew very large salary.
If that were the case, he was a smooth
person, because he was handsomely paid
for doing nothing. I do not see men alone
unless I know them. 1 will listen to brief
explanations Of measures before Con-
gress, but I venture no comments. If
member were to give his opinion in ad-
vance, the person hearing 1t could trade
with the information, could say that he
had influenced a vote, and so forth"
Predicts War with n Pacific Nation.
rs there too much legislation
II don't think so. Many persons are
asking the government to undertake new
activities. They also ask that expendi-
lures be kept down. Their two demands,
of course, will not work at the same
time. Mr.. Roosevelt was constantly
recommending things that were for the
country's good. If all OF his suggestions
had been carried out, our annual appro-
priations would now be two billions in
stead of one. So there is check on leg
islation, no matter by whom it is pro-
NOTED. The United States is a great ma
ton and things remain to be done. Our
outlay in money is not dangerously
large. Outside of pensions and the war
ana navy eStdDllSnmenIS, we are rather
economical. am a peace man, and
while 1 might be willing to reduce our
appropriations for military purposes, I
realize that We may need fighting ships
and fighting men. Some day in the fu-
ture we are bound to have a conflict
with a nation in the Pacific-not neces-
sarily war with guns, but war. just
the same. For that day. when it comes,
we should be adequately prepared"
How would you describe a progress
i've Republican,"
'I wouldn't attempt the Job even
though L had a definition. Originally
certain men were called insurgents.
The dictionary says that an insurgent
differs from a rebel chiefly in degree.
On his return from the African hunt Mr..
Roosevelt called himself a progressive.
The insurgents grabbed the name and
applied it to themselves. They say that
am a reactionary, whereas I have put
more progressive legislation through
Congress than all OF them combined.
After President Roosevelt and Giffor1
Pinchot began loudly to call for law
protecting our water rights in the West.
1 went TO the White House and pointed
out that such law was already in the
books-a law the passage of which had
managed in the House.
IT have no quarrel, however. with the
independent men. I always vote as I
damned please myself"
Copyright, 1911, BY James B. Morrow.l