The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-04-04

Joint resolution to appoint cOmmls-
sion to investigate their operation
abroad, which has been reported
from the Senate finance committee.
To equip the farmer SO that he
may defend himself against possible
financial loss by making arrangement
for holding his crops and protecting
his credit, Representative Norris.
of Nebraska, has introduced a bill
to create presidential commission
to ascertain the practicability and
desirability of organizing a farmers
national cooperative credit associa-
ton.
The House Democrats have reaf-
firmed their decision of several
weeks ago against appropriations at
this session for battleships and pub
lie buildings. This action was taken
at a caucus held Wednesday night.
The vote was on motion by Repre-
sentative Padgett, of Tennessee,
chairman of the committee on naval
affairs, to rescind the action OF the
former caucus. This motion was
laid on the table by vote of III to
rs, and upon motion of Representa-
tive Underwood the action of the
previous caucus, eliminating both
battleships and public buildings ap-
preparations, was made party meas
IRE, carrying by more than two
thirds majority.
AS far as depth of water will per-
nit, the Mississippi river cities are
to have an opportunity next May OF
seeing one of the big battleships OF
the navy. Acting secretary Win
throp has signed orders for the bat
tleships New Hampshire and Nebras-
ka to report at New Orleans on April
Goth, to participate in the ceremon-
les of the Louisiana Historical So
ciety in commemoration of the one
hundredth anniversary Of the ad-
mission of Louisiana to the Union.
At New Orleans the battleships will
be Joined by the gunboat Petrol and
upon the conclusion of the ceremon-
les the three vessels will make
cruise up the Mississippi as far as
the depth of water will permit.
In a speech favoring the Sherwood
pension bill, Senator
referred to the annual re-
port of the Secretary of the Senate
and asked if there was any particular
brand of economy displayed when
purchases were made for the Senate
of such articles as dandruff cure, tar
shampoo and massage cream, which
he said had been bought at public
expense. Senator Kenyon also re-
ferred to an item for twelve pairs of
white duck trousers for the use of
bath attendants, and when several
senators gave evidence of amuse-
nent, he retorted: "These are small
things about which one may laugh
and joke, but every dollar spent for
them is a dollar taken from the peo-
pie for the support of the govern
ment. We enjoy these luxuries and
then say we are going to economic
on pensions for the old soldiers"
The Senate has agreed to a reso-
luton introduced by Senator Bris.
tow, calling upon the heads of all
executive departments and independ
emit bureaus and institutions of the
government to submit a detailed
statement of the number of car
riages, motorcycles, motor vehicles,
and automobiles now owned by the
government or maintained at public
expense. The resolution also asks
for data on 1.-THE purpose for which
each individual vehicle is used and
the make of the car, if motor car;
also to report the number of gov
eminent employees VINO are employ
ed or detailed as chaffeurs, drivers,
or footmen for such carriages and
automobiles, and how much of the
time of these respective government
employees is devoted to that particu-
lar work; also to report to whom
such carriages or automobiles are
assigned"
Now that Congress is nosing
around in this direction, it is likely
that the joy of riding in government
automobiles will be considerably les
sened.