Gilpin observer., 1911-07-27
WASHINGTON NEWS

Washington, July 25.-Signs that
the Democratic party is well abreast
of the times-and indeed trifle in
the lcad-are not lacking about the
house Of representatives these days.
Having registered their will on such
tariff issues as have presented them
selves thus far. it is not strange that
the vigorous individuals the majority
members have proven themselves to
be are reaching out and obtaining
a timely grasp on problems which
are to present themselves at future
sessions.
There are plain indications that the
Democrats have already corraled
some of the most important of tho
welfare issues that are beginning to
show their heads. Among them are
the policies of extending federal aid
wherever legally possible to the con-
struction of highways throughout the
country and the establishment of
bills on both subjects supported by
graphic statements and arguments
are being prepared by deep-thinking
and painstaking Democrats. The the
ory that transportation is one of the
vital problems of American life is be-
ing Investigated in all its phases.
1t is realized that this government
is thoroughly committed to the pol
icy of Federal Highways and that it
only remains for the Democratic par
ty to galvanize into new life the
great undertakings which lapsed with
the beginning of the Civil war.
Congressman-at-Larg Edward T.
Taylor of Colorado heads the west
ern good roads contingent with fund
of experience derived from his enter
prise in securing the construction in
Colorado of highway between Den
yer and Grand Junction. The fame OF
the Taylor state road has reached
Washington and the Colorado con-
gressman is regarded by his collea-
CUES as well fitted to advance sim
liar projects of a national scope.
Several months ago Mir. Taylor intro
duced q bill to grant quarter OF
a million acres of public land to each
state where that commodity exists,
the proceeds of which are to be ap-
piled to the construction Of highways.
The Coloradoan is also working on
several other good road ideas ana
will be found in the midst OF the big
campaign when it gets under way.
1t is a notable fact that the young
Democrats of the south are prom
inent in the good roads revival. In
support of his bill to devote the sur
plus in the public treasury towards
aiding the states to abolish the mud
holes and swimming fords along
their public highways, Representative
William Schley Howard, of Georgia,
has issued remarkably clear state
ment in which he compares the Unit
ed States to the three good roads
countries. Germany, Belgium and Hol-
land-all three of which, he says,
could be placed comfortably in the
state OF Texas and still leave
enough of that state in which to place
Maine 10000 miles OF the finest
macadam roads in the world, Mr..
Howard points out. have placed these
three countries in most enviable
commercial position. In demonstrat-
ing that good roads are the fore-run-
ners OF prosperity Mr.. Howard shows
that for the fiscal year 1908 the for
eign commerce of Germany, Belgium
and Holland amounted to S6,43S.341,- :
S39. In the same year the foreign
commerce of the United States
reached only s2.S45. .044 ,0S7.
The project of establishing a par
cells post in this country is receiving
a similar amount of study and invest
igation and the Democratic house
will almost certainly pass some kind
of a parcels post law before the fl
nal adjournment OF the 62nd con-
gress.
In the midst of comment over the
extending of the extra session OF con-
gress throughout the summer, and
complaints that the business of the
country is in an uncertain state as
long as the solons keep busy, the
fact must not be lost to view that
Uncle Sam maintains regularly paid
corps Of lawmakers,an the president
has called congress together in ex-
ira session. Each representative re-
ceives $500 each year, whether he
is held in service three months or
twelve. The national legislative ma
chine is unlike that of the average
state legislator is that its pay runs
steadily on, and there is no pay for
extra sessions. This point often is