The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1913-04-08
BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.

Pressure Tor financial legislation Is
coming from a source which must have
a hearing. The farmers Of the country
are seeking methods by which they
can obtain money without paying what
appears to be exorbitant interest rates.
The idea was scratched lightly in
speeches and suggestions by former
President Taft when he had something
to say about farm credits. But now
the matter Is before the coming con-
gress in way to make legislation on
the subject almost imperative.
OF course congress cannot legislate
alone on this subject. More than that.
the whole currency problem is involved
in this demand from the rural districts
for a better system Of obtaining money.
The farmers want system of COM
mercial credits, as do business men In
the cities, without paying rates Of in
terest which are almost ruinous. In
providing for a better distribution of
credits congress will have to legislate
upon the whole financial question.
Army Men a. Relief Agents.
Every time there Is food army Of
ficers are sent to the scene as relief
agents, especially II the war depart
ment furnishes tents. subsistence sup
plies and In other ways helps the
stricken districts. It is well to make
use Of army officers who are well
equipped to take care Of emergencies
of this kind, who have authority and
who can command men and supplies
for the people As relief agents under
such conditions the army officers are
a success.
Scientific Weather Sharp Wanted.
Secretary Houston of the agricultur-
al department is looking for scien-
tific weather sharp to succeed Willis
L. Moore. Chief Moore has been con-
sidered pretty good weather man.
but In the long time he has been at the
head of the bureau he has made many
enemies. and they took the first oppor-
tunity they could get to have his term
ended. During several past admins
trations efforts have been made to
have him removed, but they have not
been effective.
In the face Of all the opposition
Moore had strenuous campaign
made for him for secretary Of agricul-
ture In the new administration. OF
course a cabinet job could not be land
ed under such conditions. and he has
now lost the position as head Of the
weather service.
Following Roosevelt.
1t has been pointed out with some
glee that the Progressives. the third
party, have not been able to land .
single Office where they held the bal
ance Of power In different state legis-
latures where senators were to be elect
ed. But the Progressives have been
following Roosevelt. He has advised
against fusion. He has claimed that it
was more important to stand for prin-
ciples than to pick of few Offices. In
this he has In mind the failure Of all
third parties which attempted fusion
for Offices
Congressional Ignorance.
Not one man In ten In congress
knows anything about currency iegis-
lation. according to former Senator
Bailey of Texas. and he therefore ad-
vises the coming session to do nothing
with the currency.
He also suggests that early tariff leg
islation will save much disturbance.
'If the tariff Is delayed four months,
he says, "a million men will be out Of
employment owing to the fact that
business men and importers will wait
until they know what the tariff bill IL
going to be before they make or buy
goods" The ex-senator adds that con
gress win not take good advice,
All Must Work.
Everybody understands that the hard
est worked employees In the postai
service are the railway mail clerks and
the city carriers. And they are the
poorest paid employees for the work
they perform. Postmaster General
Burleson Is going to have the better
class Of employees and the better paid
men In the service do their share OF
the work and has issued orders to that
effect Men holding the higher grade
postoffices must devote their time to
the government business hereafter.
Want . Gear.
II the house Of representatives does
not organize the committees and 60 to
work on legislation which has been de-
manded and promised In the platforms
It will demonstrate what has often
been claimed-that the house wants
car to control It and direct its mem
bers. It makes little difference wheth-
er the car Il the speaker or the chair
man Of the ways aad means commit
tee. Each Is effective In the work and
can run the house without troubling
the members. ut u good thing
once remarked Dolliyer Of Iowa back
IN the days Of Tom Reed. ito have a
man who can run the house. It saves
H. - g - lotsof worry"