The Progressive West Virginian. [volume] (Williamson, W. Va.) 1911-1913, 1912-05-16
FROM THE NATIONAL, CAPITAL.
Of What Our Representa-
tiyes Are Doing.
Geo. w. Summers.

Geo. w. Summers.
Members OF the West Virginia del
egatdon in both Houses of Congress
have been taking an active part in
important legislation much of which
VIII affect West Virginia directly.
Some of this legislation has become
law while other measures are still
pending but with prospects of being
passed by both Houses Senator
Chiffon has made a speech within the
last few days in favor of the bill
making railroad companiesaliable for
the death or disability of employees
meeting with accidents din, the per-
formance OF their duties. He has
also favored. and succeeded in pass
ing through the Senate amendment
to the river and harbor bill provid-
ing for a survey of the Kanawha
River with a view to giving 1t a
nine foot stage of water instead of
the present six foot stage. The orr
ginal plans for the improvement of
the Ohio River called for six foot
stage and the locks and dams in the
"
would conform to that plan Chan
ges have been made, however, in the
improvement of the Ohio River SO
as to provided nine, foot stage and
Senator Chiffon believes the shippers
of the Kanawha river are, entitled to
the same depth of water as the ship
pers of the, Ohio river. The House
has disagreed. to, the Senate amend
ments to the river and harbor bill
and conferees have been appointed
1t is believed, however, that the
provision for the survey ofLthe Kama
wha river for the purpose of ascer-
tanning the cost of extending the
improvement will be agreed to by
both Houses
In his speech in favor of the en-
ployers' liability bill Senator, Chill
ton became one of the champions of
that measure. He spoke for, two
hours and his Interruptions were
such as to make his speech practic-
ally running debate He answered
every question and met every argu-
ment and undoubtedly made votes
for the measure. The bill is in the
interest of employees of railroad COM
panies, thousands of whom are in
jured every year during the per-
Torrance of their duties.
Senator Watson is taking an active
part in the consideration of the met
al schedule tariff bill. For some
time he has been endeavoring to
have the tariff duty on potatoes
temporarily suspended in order to
reduce the cost of that. important ar
ticle of food, the supply of which is
now being imported Within the
last few days he has broadened the
scope of his proposition and has in
troduced an amendment to the pend
ing tariff bill providing that in case
Of emergency the President may at
any time suspend the tariff duty on
any article for period not to exceed
one year A general law of this kind
would, protect the consumer, in case
OF corner in American food pro-
ducts or other articles of ordinary
use. Senator Watson expects to
push this amendment and will try to
have it adopted by the Senate.
Tired of furnishing the Republi-
can majorities and being depended
upon for the purpose of electing can
ddates from the northern part of
the State, Mcdowell and Mango coun-
ties seem to have determined this
year that they want some of the Of
fees themselves, and having started
into the game they are demanding
most of the best jobs. These two
counties have candidates before the
Republican primary election for
governor, states treasurer, superin-
tendent of schools, and congressman,
while Mercer county, the adjoining
county to Mcdowell, is also demand
ing judge of the Supreme Court.
OF the thirteen candidates for
place ON the state ticket who will be
voted for at the primaries on June
4 only four are from the northern
part of the state and two of these
are opposing each other, SO that it
will only be possible 70 nominate
three men from the northern part
of the state. 1T seems only fair to
Mcdowell and Mingo counties, how
ever, since they have been furnishing
all the majorities and by methods
which have been open to serious
question, that they should now be
Permitted to furnish the candidates
for state Office.
Both Senators have been exceeding
ly busy in the last week attending to
matters in which their constituents
are interested. Senator Watson has
had up with the Postoffice Depart
ment the matter of establishing bet7
ter mail service between Droop and
Julia in Greenbriar county, but the
request was denied. He is trying to
get an order from the Postoffice De-
partment directingS the mail carrier
between Lanes Bottom and Sum-
rnorsvilie to- go by one rsute AMI
return by another in order to ac-
conlmodate a large. number Of per-
sons who now receive NO. mail
He has had IN with the PostofIice
+ Department The matter of establish
ing rural roatcs out of Frichard
Wayne Count. TO, cover Is miles and
Sc, We 1875 families. He is trying 70
get the Senate Committee on Militia
ny affairs. to- concur in Congressna IN
Hamilton'ss bill amending the mill
tary record of William 2. Norman
who was shot lby an enemy while on