Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1913-04-08

the government annually II the appro-
priations were carefully guarded the
senate created q committee on expend
itures consisting Of all chairmen hav-
hg to 90 with appropriations as well
as several additional advisers. That
committee remained In existence for
a term of congress and was then drop
ped. 1t never accomplished anything.
1t could not do anything. No commit
tee is going to be supervised In its
work by a so called superior commit
tee.
Self Denial and Economy.
Self denial on the part Of all the
members Of congress Is the only way
that expenditures can be reduced. II
members will give up their rivers and
harbors. their public buildings. their
army posts. their navy yards and ev-
erything else which means the expendi-
ture Of money for their peoples bene-
fit including many general appropria-
tons. they would be able to curtail ex-
penditures.
Chairman Fitzgerald Of the appropri-
atoms committee is going to try and
make record for this Democratic
congress in the way Of economy. lie
is going to have members practice self
denial in the matter Of all apprOpria-
tions-if they will. He wants to show
the country that the Democrats when
in full control Of the government can
administer it in n more economical
manner than the Republicans. He has
been trying for two years to accom-
plish something along that line. but be-
came discouraged as he saw the ex-
penditnres mounting higher day by
day. He may be able to make "a bet
ter showing with his party In control
of the senate and the federal admins
tratiOn.
An Unwieldy House.
The house of representatives with
49, members is more unwieldy BODY
than ever before The increase has
been mistake 1t has forced change
in the seating arrangements. which
may prove an advantage. but there are
too many members in the house. 1t
would be better If there were not more
than 300 Better legislation would re-
suit. and more members would be Civ
Ell an opportunity to take part in the
proceedings
The increased number has forced the
occupancy Of an old building that was
used some years ago by the senators.
Here a score or more Of new members
will have their offices until Superin-
tendent Elliott Woods can put another
story on tie house office building. The
increase of nearly fifty members will
add largely to the cost OF congress. be-
sides hindering Legislation
Presidential Visits.
Nobody believes that President Will
son is going to carry out the much nd-
vertised innovation Of visiting the
capitol frequently when congress Is In
session for the purpose Of advising
and helping to put through legislation.
He has already found that he can see
all the members Of congress he wants
in the few hours each morning before
the session begins. If he does carry
out that intention he will find himself
the most occupied president that has
ever held the job. and also he will find
that those who have most time to visit
him in his room in the senate wing
are those who have least influence in
legislation.
Close Working Majority.
The Democrats have clear majority
in the senate. but it Is very close
working majority. 1t will require but
a very few men to kick over the traces
to break up a Democratic program.
The preliminaries Of organization
showed much disagreement over the
comriittee assignments and the choice
of officers. But those were Of small
moment to the country compared to
what the Democrats will do in regard
to tariff legislation and other measures
which may become prominent. If the
chickering's and disagreements which
characterized the early stages Of or
ganiZation are carried into the senate
the narrow majority will find itself
beaten on vital questions.
Antitrust Legislation.
There has been very little said about
antitrust legislation at the special ses-
sion. 1t is thought that the president
Is not yet ready to recommend changes
in the law, or at least is not in po-
sition to say Just what changes should
be made in this important matter.
Democrats of the house have deter
mined to 60 ahead with several meas
ures of this kind. And even II COM
mittees are not appointed It is expect
ed that the members Of the judiciary
committee can work on measure dur.
ing the special session and have 1t pre-
pared for the regular session next De-
cember.
Having assumed control Of all
branches Of the government, the Demo.
Gratis must make a record or they will