Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-06-24
SPEND TWo.ThIRDs OF TIME
AT NATIONAL CAPITAL
Country Demanding So Much Lssisla-
ton That Members Of Congress Find
Little Time for Play-Pressnt Extra
Session May Prove to 30 Longest on
Record.
Especial Correspondence

/ have TO spend about all its time In
| Washington from now on. 1t seems 70
be becoming more and more the fixed
policy for the legislative session to be
well nigh continuous.
The country is demanding much in
| the way of legislation. 1t doesn't pay
much attention to whether congress
man has to swelter in Washington In
summer or whether he disikes the eli
mate in winter He is sent here to
serve the public at $500 year with
certain perquisites and the public
seems TO be unfeeling enough to want
him to earn it, Whether the average
member does earn that sum might be
subject of argument.
Members Earning Thsir Pay.
Since March Is. 1909. when President
Taft called congress in extra session
for the purpose of passing tariff Dill
which turned out to be the fateful
pavne-Aldrich measure. congress mas
been in Washington more than Two
thirds of the time. 1t was here about
two-thirds Of the time in the Taft ad-
ministration and the indications are
tha, i, will be here as large proper
ton of the time. If not more, In the
Wilson administration. The present
session with the currency reform PROB
lem nut up to both houses in addition
to tariff. promises to drag far into the
fall and last much longer than either
of rhe special sessions Of the Iatt ao-'
ministration.
Labor e35 Days In Four Years.
II was March Is, 1903. when President
Taft convened congress In extra ses-
s;on That extra session lasted 14a
DAYS. TO Aug. 8 Of the same year. the
second extra session in the Taft ad-
mfnf.tration, when Canadian reciproc-
itv was I'D. lasted 141 days. from April
to Aug. p. 1911.
Altogether, in the four years OF the
Taft administration congress was as
sembled 935 days. or about two-tnlros
OF the time.
May BE Longest Session.
The present extra session began April
| and there is no doubt It will last
| longer than either Of the extra SESSIONS
OF the Taft administration. II the be-
lief of many that currency VIII lengtnen
the session until October or November
| nroyes correct, 1t may stretch out 10
one Of the longest sessions on record
and NAV even run into the regular SEES
sion.
/ II might be argued that once the
tariff is revised and currency legfsla-
| ton passed, congress would be mere
| comparatively little and would settle
| back to its old slow going pace. How
ever. there is no assurance that the
tariff will stay settled and besides,
there are dozens of other great ques-
tions pressing on congress for action
| Merit System Disappoints.
| disappointment prevails among SEN
ate and house democrats, and to an
even greater degree among some OK
their constituents because OF the SEEM
ling indisposition Of the administration
ITO open up the consular service to the
iioh hunters. A recent announcement
from Secretary Bryan indicated tnat ~
was the intention to keep men OF merit
in office and to make appointments on
merit.
| The consular service IL r1cn neio
for usefulness in the minds OF the av-
erage politician who Is hunting LOT an
office and hence it can be imagined
that the decision not to throw open
4 tho doors was received with disap-
| no;ntment. This disappointment mas
been more or less openly talked about
the capitol.
/, Much Room for improvement.
1t is well known that the merit sys-
fem applied to consuls in the republi-
can administrations was far from
IDEAL. 1t came good way from per-
ifeet;on. Politics crept in frequently.
However. 1t was admittedly much OF
an imnroyement over the old system OF
iparninR consuis with reference 10
nothing else but political services.
The business interests OF the country
Rave been strongly insisting that the
merit system continue to be applied to
oon.,,ls and that the bars be not let
down.
The president and Secretary Bryan
evidently have no sympathy with the
idea. that because there have been
deficiencies in the administration OF
the merit plan as applied to consuis
In the past this gives an excuse FOL
cutting it out and sweeping the repub-
Ifcans from office and putting demo-
Gratis in. They are doubtless aware
that any such procedure would seri-
ously discredit the administration.
} .. Establishments Worries Democrats.
The kick because the fences viii
not be let down around the consular
field IL but one Of many among demo-
Gratis in congress and their constitu-
J ents. They complain constantly Of thu
way the White House n holding bacl
} Jobs. And the talk that the president
il holding back appointments to infiu-
ence Legislation IL prevalent, even the
; the lobby committee has not been able
to prove this. Recommendations Of
democratic senators and congressman
after often ignored by the president
the Clark men in congress- think theJ
are getting the worst Of It in appoint.
Imen4s from the administration ant
that too much prediction is shown 20
original wilson men and then there );
, worry because Of the slowness OF thu
senate republicans in permitting dem
II ccrAtic appointments to go thru. Mean
. time, dot Of patriots. some iookint
hungry, even thirsty. are haunting TIN
lhotels and the corridors OF the capito
IL. .R~.f H&env