The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-01-17
Would Abolish Annual Seed
Distribution.
He PROBES CAMPAIGN MAIL.
Free Postal Privilege For Government
Officials Costs United States Millions
of Dollars Is Discovery-Neverthe-
less Practice Is Expected to Con-
tinue-Free Seeds Also Popular.
BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.

Washington, Jan. 10. - Special. -
Senator Kenyon would be Jack the Gil
ant Killer if successful in an effort he
is making toward defeating the annual
seed distribution and in reducing the
amount of frankable mail. He has
started out by asking for information
as to the cost of sending out franked
mail from political headquarters dur
ing the recent campaign and also the
cost of carrying seeds free of charge.
as well as the cost of the seeds to the
government.
Thousands of tons of mail for polit-
ical purposes are carried every year.
but in a presidential year the amount
Is something tremendous. The postof
fee department has made a rough esti-
mate that the cost during 1912 was
$2,5O0,OOO.
Can't Be Stopped.
Seed distribution began when the old
bureau of agriculture, having expert
mented with seeds, handed over its sur
plus to congressman. The idea became
so popular that now nearly SJ00,000 is
appropriated for the purchase of seeds
to be distributed to the people as gift.
Senator Kenyon will not be able to stop
either of these features of government.
even If he makes it plain that they are
abuses, or, as he calls them. graft"
Franking and seed distribution have
come TO stay.
Often have sincere reformers tried to
have the seed appropriation eliminated
but to no avail. Less frequently has
the franking privilege been attacked.
but that is stronger than free Seeds as
free mails benefit every member of con-
greSs.
Oldsted's Farewell.
Congressman Olmsted bid a sort of
farewell to congressional life when
the Indian appropriation bill was up,
making the Carlisle school for Indians
the text of his observations. Com
mending the school to those he left
behind, he passed on to a tribute to
Samuel w. Mccall of Massachusetts
which ought to elect that man to the
senate. Few men have received such
an eulogy while living.
"When member stands the test
here" said Olmsted, generalizing,
"when he is popular, looked up to and
respected by the members after long
service here, it may be taken for grant
ed that he is we'll fitted for service In
the senate.
Carter and the Minority Leader.
Congressman Carter and Minority
Leader Mann enjoy each other. The
Oklahoma man is nearly half Indian,
but a keen and effective legislator.
81 would like to ask the gentleman
question as a lawyer" said Carter one
day. "Oh, you need not ask me q
question as a lawyer" replied Mann.
81 quit the practice of law long ago,
and, besides, l never answer a ques-
ton of law without retainer" Not
being a lawyer myself" responded
Carter, 81 was simply seeking advice
from a distinguished legal light"
A little later Carter was trying to
get Mann to withdraw one Of his nu-
merous points of order. "If there is a
chance to persuade the gentleman l
should like to plead with him." said
Carter. 81 cannot say" replied Mann.
"The gentleman has so often persuad-
ed me against my better judgment
that he might be able to do it again."
Fowler Is Modest.
"What would you do if you were
secretary of the treasury" asked
Stephens of Texas, making an argu-
ment against some contention of Fow-
Ter of Illinois. The new member
blushed "If the incoming president"
he said gravely, SHOULD make me sec
retary of the treasury, which l know
he will not do, then l would be in a
better position to answer that ques-
ton"
Too Much Travel Pay.
"The reformers," said cynical mem
ber, "those who want to save money
for the government, should strike at
travel pay 1t is amazing to notice
that millions of dollars are spent every
year by the different departments of
the government for travel pay We
transport the army hither and yon, We
send officials abroad to study condi-
tions which our consuls should report
upon, we send officials on inspection
tours to report upon meters that
should be in the hands of men on the
ground, we send men up and down the
country lecturing upon subjects of
various kinds and teaching the people
how to live, how to earn their ivings,
etc. Indeed, paternalism seems to have
taken possession Of the government"
Newspaper Men In the Senate.
During the week past two newspa-
per men were added to the already long
list of journalists who now occupy
seats in the senate. Ambassador
Bryce once made a humorous speech
about Utopia governed by the press.
If this thing keeps up we will have his
theory in practice. 1t happens, unfor-
unately, that the newspaper men from
-. IN