The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-07-15
Cannot Deliver, but They Get
Buyers Just the Same.
GOLD BRICK TRADE ACTIVE.
Administration Wipine the Barnacles
From the Ship of State-New Rule
of Sending Army Officers Back to
Their Commands and Naval Officers
to Ships Declared Necessity.
BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.

Washington, July IA. - [Special.l -
Many witnesses that have appeared
before the investigating committees
and reluctantly told or skillfully avoid
ed telling their connection with lobby
ing have won the contempt Of the
steady listeners-those who remain all
the time for one reason OF another
These witnesses have often been en-
gagged in questionable transactions,
sometimes selling the votes and sup
port of senators and members for or
against measures and procedure by the
administration and the courts. OF
course they did not have the goods"
to deliver, but they made their buyers
believe that they were dealing In Job
lots Of senators and representatives.
The contempt has not only extended
to the witnesses who told how they
duped men with money seeking favors.
but also to those who Were duped by
such palpable frauds. The whole in
vestigation has developed reasons why
men sell gold bricks, why bunko busi-
ness prospers. why wildcat schemes
are so easily floated. There are "suck-
ers" everywhere willing to part with
their money If the right kind of bait
Is used.
Bouncing the Barnacles.
After men have been holding Office
In Washington for sixteen straight
years without fear of decapitation
they become too arrogant for public
service, more particularly when they
have been placed in positions of au-
shority. The greatest blessing which
changes of administration bring Is the
elimination from the public service of
hose who grow to believe that they
"own the government" These thoughts
are inspired by the removal of num-
ber of men by the present administra-
ton who had become barnacles and
stood in the way of governmental
progress.
"Manehus" Everywhere.
Congress recognized the necessity OF
moving men in the public service by
providing that all company officers In
the army must serve with their com
mands every four years Secretary
Garrison has supplemented the legis
lation by ordering all officers who have
been four years in Washington bach
to their commands, thus making "Man
chus" of all. Secretary Daniels has
made a like move in the navy. So b
is becoming recognized as necessity
in the fixed service to have changes
and similar changes in the civil serv
Ice, where men hold positions OF au
thority, are equally desirable.
Senator Bacon has one regular stun
every day. He puts the senate in ex
ecutive session. That seems to be the
prerogative of the chairman OF thu
committee on foreign relations. 1t wa!
the most important act each day Of thu
venerable Senator Cullom when h'
held the same position which the Geor
gia senator now occupies.
Not a Junket.
A trip by the members Of the hous.
committee on naval affairs to the DIFF
ferent navy yards along the Atlantis
coast is not junket They so In
navy ship, one of the small dispatcl
boats, but they pay their own mes
bills. The government has no extri
expense because the ship Is In commits
sion and the cost would go aloIfg Jus
the same. OF course 1t is pretty mic
trip at this time Of year
/ Plenty of Time.
The house Of representatives wi