The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1913-03-26
WASHINGTON LETTER.


% The members of the new
Ways and Means Committee Of
the House are buSily engaged
on the work preliminary to a
revision of the Payne.Aldrich
tariff schedules, but some doubt
exists as to whether the work
will be completed in time to
present tentative revision meas
ures to the House by April 7th.
The Republican newspapers
carry all sorts of stories, based
on the fact that the wish is
father to the thought, to the
effect that the Democratic Con
gress is already beginning to
show signs Of a split over some
of the schedules. These stories
are read avidly by our Repub-
lican bretheren, who snatch at
every straw of supposed com
fort IN these piping Democratic
times. One thing may be said
to be certain. Whatever tariff
measurer or measurers pass the
House viii be such as will strike
Ia body blow at organized mo-
nopoly, and will therefore i'm
part a healthier tone to general
business conditions throughout
the country Under the Payne
Aldrich schedules the little fell
low has had small chance, but
the indications are that he will
again come into his own.
Representative $ aunders,
who was Nirgiuia's candidate
for membership on the Ways
and Means Committee, was not
nominated by the Democratic
caucus, which goes to prove
what / stated i'm a recent letter,
that there is nothing certain in
politics Judge Saunders will
retain his membership ON the
powerful and influential APP
propriations COMMITTEES, % Il
which he lis recognized as being
ono of the ablest members.
Postmaster General Burlcson
is quoted as saying that he him
self is somewhat IN sympathy
with the general proposition
that fourth class postmasters
should be protected by the civil
service laws, but he is Inclined
TO doubt whether $4,000 post
masters should have been COW
cred under civil service 70 Y
President Taft without any eX-
animation To test their fitness.
While the Administration has
reached no conclusion in the
matter, 1t lis intimated that
some action may bee taken TO
compel an examination of the
fitness of the $1,000 postmasters
to hold Office.
More than one Senator who
opposed Senator Martins erst
while candidacy for the chair
manship of the Democratic
caucus, has expressed approval
of his course in withdrawing
from The contest i'm the interest
of party harmony. And Ger
tainly the smile that lighted
the countenance OF Virginia IS
senior Senator as he talked
with your correspondent rec
garding the matter, mention
ing the fact OF his relief at
having transferred the burden
some Job TO the shoulders of
another, gave 10 indication
that he regretted his action In
commenting recently on Sena
tor Martins refusal to be- party
to what in all probability
would have precipitated dan
gerous situation at the begin
ming of the Wilson administra
ZION, one of the leading news
papers of the East had the fol
lowing 10 say.
Senator Martin Of Virginia
has acted like a true Democrat
i'm voluntarily withdrawing
from the contest over the chair
manship of the Senate caucus,
in order to promote harmony
and solidarity in tile party.
The situation was full of ugly
possibilities, not only for the
Senate but tor the Wilson ad-
ministration. Mr.. Martin could
have made a bitter fight, and
perhaps lie would have won,