The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1913-01-03
NEWS FROM THE CAPITAL

All the big and little officials o.
the Postoffice Department, from
chief General Hitchcock down to the
Division Superintendent, and ICON.
stables" who hold commissions as
inspectors, have been told the post
masters of the country just what
they are to do, to put the parcel post
into operation on the first day of the
coming year. The Generals are fin
ishing their tasks by securing the
publication of their orders, and are
as cautious as mayors with public
proclamations, that their individual
names are not overlooked, when it
comes to setting the type The post
al army is ready for the attack, and
indications are that the new scheme
will work smoothly A comparison
of the zone rates indicate that for all
except short hauls on packages of
any size, that the express companies
still offer cheaper rates than the
postoffice, though for short distan-
ce postoffice charges are less. Ad-
vocates of the parcels post, who have
been fighting for years, are accept
ing the new scheme as an entering
wedge but the fight for an unlimi-
ted parcel post without zones, and
with common rate everywhere, is
being carried on in Washington with
undiminished energy.
The President of the Senate
Two years ago the Senate was
deadlocked, and no President of the
body was chosen. Then Vice-presi-
dent Sherman was on hand and there
really was no urgency over the mat
ter. But with the death of the vice.
president someone must act in order
that measures may be signed etc.
Senator Gallinger was chosen by the
caucus two years ago, but the Pro-
gressives have succeeded in prevent
ing his election. 1t is agreed that
Mr.. Gallinger may fill the place one
half Of the time, and Senator Bacon
the other half The two men have
shiny bald heads and look very much
alike and one has to look twice to
discover which is which in the chair.
The Democrats will settle the ques-
ton after March 4.
Chief of the "ClOse Friend" Set.
Every time there is big vacancy
in the government, the eastern pa
pers announce that John Hays
Hammond is mentioned" and this was
the case the last time the day fol-
lowing the death of Ambassador
Whitelaw Ried. But up to date, in
four years, Mr. Hammond has pulled
off only the stunt of being special
Ambassador to the Coronation of the
King of England, and in signing the
lists of contributions to Republicans
funds close to the top. AS
"the close friends of the President"
Mr.. Hamond has basked for four bles
sed years in the executive sunshine,
and travelled tho golf 1inkc over |
distance of several thousand miles |
The net result is that by the time |
two-thirds of his long name is pro-
nounced people usually smile. The
private tinseled gentlemen of the
White House will choose new chief
on March 4, and it is predicted that |
the mining engineer will. supplant-
ed by college professor.
Want the Liberty Bell.
The descendants of the signers of
the Declaration of independence met |
a few days ago in the national CAPT |
tai, and unanimously registered |
their protest against the Liberty Bell |
being moved to the San Francisco ex-
position on the ground that the west
ern dust and salt air, together with |
the rocking incident to travel, would |
be an injury to the relic. Mean !