The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-01-31

iture-0ne Estimates Thousand Mil
lions Yearly Would Be Required Fer
Proposed System.
BY ARTHUR W. DUNN.
Washington, Jan. 81 ISpecial.l-Al-
though the effort to have rural routes
improved by the national government
In order to obtain good roads was
dropped out OF the postoHicc anpnpria-
ton bill last year and no serious ut.
tempt was made TO have 1t inc0rpor7It-
ed in the bill this year, the proposition
is not dead, but sleeping. The men
who favored that measure became
known as dirt road statesmen and
it is Il title that gets votes IN the rural
districts
Congressman Moon Of Tennessee,
chairman Of the postoftice committee,
has introduced bill providing for
United States aid In the construction
Of roads on rural routes III the states.
Tie bill VIII not he considered this,
session. but II is the intention OF Noon
to push 1t next year. and he may incor-
porate it in the appropriation bill ngnin.
Fear Vast Expenditures.
There are lot OF men who earnestly
favor good roads, but they fear the
enormous cost 1t Will entail II once the
Improvement system is started. In
fact, there will be no end Of GXpertH
lures for road construction, ana no one
can guess the amount that will br re.
uuircl to build the roads or keep Them
IN repair "0nce the system is started
as purpoSed." said one member Of the
house. 1T will require II thousand mil
lions year to replace the dirt that is
blown away"
Following His Beliefs.
"Ohiceholding is an honorable bust
ness" President Taft told number of
people some time ago. And he has
proceeded to put his views into or
Grafton by appointing as many friends
to office as possible before the Demo.
cratic president comes In. And that
Is what causes so much trouble in the
senate.
Against Free Tolls.
A very strong sentiment Is evidently
developing in this country against the
free tolls for American coaStwiSe ships.
as provided in the present canal law.
Congressman Sims OF Tennessee pre-
scented to congress an array OF pro.
tests from persons In Nll walks Of life
and from hundreds Of newspapers,
showing the growing opposition TO the
position which the United States has
taken. II President Wilson should IA
vor the repeal of that provision OF law
It will no doubt 20 through congress,
which will relieve a strain upon our
diplomacy with Great Britain.
Always Joy.
Pension day in the house would he
nothing II it were not for the joyous
ness which Congressman Itoddemhery
brings TO it in his opposition to pen
$iOns or to some one connected with
the pension business. Very recently,
replying TO Il defense Of Commissioner
Davenport, made>by Congressman Aus.
tin, Roddenbcry said:
"Tf the gentleman from Tennessee,
who llabitunlly fashions his attire In
the humble style Which is characters
tir of country people, should see Dav-
export riding along IN Ills limousine,
With plug hat on as high as churn,
ana with long tailed coat that puts
TO shame the plumagc Of n peHfOwl,
and with studs that sparkle like the
eyes Of Il toad, the commissioner would
know linn not"
OF course the members OF the house
rOared with laughter.
BY Unanimous Consent.
The business OF congress has reach
ell II stngc where little can be done ex-
ccpt by unanimous consent. a few
members IN either house can now
block business. This Is not quite so
pronounced in the house us the Senate,
but In the house It is found that busI
ness can he tied up very easily. 1t he
comes apparent that much important
legislation will so over until the next
congress.
Take Care Of Their Own.
81 want to congratulate every men,
her of the rivers and harbors commit
tee" remarked Congressman Moore Of
PENNSYLVANIA, ION the manner In which
they have looked after all the rivers
lud harhors and creeks In their respec-
tive districts. The care which they
have shown in this regard should COM
mend them to their constituencies"
Every member Of the house knows
that mhnber OF n committee always
looks after his own; also that river
and haFhur bill is made to pass, no
matter what else it may accomplish.
Taylor's Complaint.
You ought to pay some attention to
Whit the people of the great west
want" said Congressman Taylor Of
Colorado, speaking particularly to his
Democratic colleagues. When the
,0Ntk ga