The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1913-11-28
WASHINGTON LETTER.

The effect of the new tariff law on the
high cost of living and on industrial con-
dltions Furnished the material for some
lively passages ia the Senate last week.
The ultimate consumer" bobbed M for
the fret time since the Underwood Sim.
mons bill became a law. He seemed
spry and active, despite the hard knocks
given him.
In producing the ultimate consumer. I"
thereby bringing on real tariff debate.
Senator Smoot said he was besieged on
all sides TO have communications printed
in the Congressional Record showing
that no reduction in the price of wooden
clothes would follow the tariff act. The
lessened cost of living was myth and
the last purchaser would derive no hene-
fit from lower duties. Senator Borafi in
quired why he was taking the time of the
Senate on dead topic. the tariff bill
having been passed. He could see no
benefit to be derived from resurrection
OF the subject now. but Senator Smoot
persisted that a lower cost of livizg had
been promised by the Democrats and ii
would not materialize.
The Republicans generally were mp
braided by Senator Stone for seeking to
invite industrial disturbances and panics
BY calamity bowling.
When the tariff bill was on the floor. .
explained Senator Stone. 1.-THE Republic
cans were prophesying industrial and
financial disaster as result Of the
measure. How can the Senator now say
that prices will not be reduced? We
have seen none of the closed factories.
the ruined mills. or the squalid soup
houses the Senator painted so vividly.
Now, he tells us the cost of living is not
reduced. Why, the average stand-pat
Republican. if be prays at all, is mutter-
ing supplications to the skies day and
night. that panic may fall upon the
country. But no panic is in sight. There
will be no panic. Let the Senator with
hold his prophecies as to the cost of
living until we can see the real results Of
the Democratic tariff law"
Senator'S Smoot and Gallinger denied
that as average stand-patN r epublicans''
they were hoping for industrial de-
preston.
y.
An overwhelming and final victory was
won for true conservation aud federal
control Of water power in the conserva.
tion congress.
A resolution proposed by Clifford Pin.
chot as an amendment to resolutions of
fered by the resolutions committee was
adopted by vote Of 3r7 TO o6 over the
bitter protest of the water power trust
and the advocates of state control.
Mr.. Pinchot's amendment declared
that monopIistic control Of water power
in private hands was incren sing in the
United States "far more rapidly than
public control thereof; that increasing
concentration of water power in some
hands' was accompanied BY growing
control over the power-consnming agen.
cies. the public service companies of the
country.
Confederates of the water-power inter-
ests from the west and south fought hard
to the very last to stem the tide of popu-
lar approval of the Pinchot amendment.
~.
There will be no Nee Year reception
at the White House. President Wilson
announced Friday that during the holt
day recess of Congress he would take a
ro-day vac ,tion. Exactly when or where
he will go was not announced, and pro-
badly will not he until his departure.
The White House New Year reception
is an historic institution in Washington.
beside being one of the milestones in the
capitals social season. It has been the
custom for the President to receive Con
gressmen. army and navy officers, the
diplomatic corps and all official Washing
ton, according to rank and then shake
hands wits citizens. M ore than 5000
have shaken hands with the President on
such occasions. The RECEIPT on is always
followed BY rounds of official calls.
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