The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1913-04-18
WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON LETTER.
Flood control in the opinion Of Senator
Burton. is a more vital problem to tbel
American people just now than either
the tariff or he currency, and he would
like to see Congress take up and pass on
methods to meet such situations as have
been caus ng so much suffering and de-
struct on in Ohio before it does anything
else.
Senator Burton has been long consider
ed the leading authority on river and
harbor improvement in this country. He
has gone back to Ohio. where he spent
most Of his time during the worst part Of
the recent foods, to, make thorough
study of conditions.
Senator Newlands is also making q
strong plea for the adoption of means 10
prevent floods. He and Senator Burton
do not agree as to the means to be taken,
but if they and the other wise men who
are studying the problem get their heads
together il is likely that they may reach
some csmmon ground on which they can
all stand and that the result will be a
gain to the whole country.
-
The great tariff battle is on. House
democrats have been deploying. Senate
democrats have been deploying Presi
den, Wilson has been surveying the field
And with such a status Congress has
come together in extra session to revise
the tariff and do other things. The EN-
phasis for the moment is on tariff. :" but
before mahy days have flown 1t may
properly be u on s other things For,
while there are eagerness and some heat
in The daily parleys over tariff. parleys on
other things are already being held. even
in the Presidents inner Offices.
~
Every matter Of legislative importan ce
will, be made an Administration meas.
ure as far as that is possible. This is in
the interest ofparty harmony and efici.
ency. The Democrats are sloganing that
it is best for all that they stand together
Eve can even afford to make some
errors If we only stand together on
them" said one wise Democrat here.
1.-THE country has no use for divided
councils. Their own discussions wrought
the downfall Of Republicans more than
their indefeusible policies.'
That is why the Democrats are trying
to make the tariff bill an Administration
bill. 1t will give the legislation added
strength. President Wilson, the House
and the Senate are all for ii. Some dif
ferences of opinion about it 10 detail. of
course. but for the bill generally. Tina,
is what the Democrats are working like
Sam Hill to accomplish.
tits very certain that about as soon as
an Administration tariff bill is well start
ed along we shall begin to hear about an
administration banking and currency bill.
aud after awhile about an administra lou
bill Tor amendment Of the Sherman anti
trust law. Indeed, the Administration bill
appears to be an advance upon the House
caucus, and is in line with President Will
sons idea about team work.
49,
The Office seeker. after tramping the
streets Of Washington for few weeks
and darkening many an official tbresh-
old, has departed. He has scattered him
self to Texas, to Maine, to Ohio and the
numerous other States from which he
came. Presumably he will not come
here again in numbers as long as the
Wilson Administration lasts. 1t has ',een
very discouraging time for him Pa
trouage was not handed ont in hunks,
according to the. good old days when the
Government went into new hands. Only
lew crumbs were thrown to the hungry
hordes.
-.
Democratic Senators do not like the
Thought of going to the White House
and being unable to come away with
promises Of patronage. President Wilson
is very wary of promises There is small
satisfaction in talking with him about
Offices The outcome almost iuvaribly
Is, II will take this up with Secretary
Soand-So," or II wish you would talk
with the Secretary about it.
All this makes the Senator feel hr has
not quite as much influence with the
White House as be thought he might
have the morning after election II
makes him backward about going TO the
White House. too. but be is resortirg to
the cloak rooms to ease his feelings. and
he tells his colleagues what he thinks
about it. Possibly the President is wise.
however. in holding these worthy gentle