The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1913-04-03
Washington Whisperings.

WASHINGTON, D. C. March 81, 1913.
~'Fifty millions year for waterways, "
the slogan of the National Rivers and
Harbors Congress, will be realized for
this year at least. Besides contract au-
thorizations of Sc, 795, 800, the River and
Harbor bill of 1913 made cash sppropria-
lions amounting to $41, 073, 094; the Sun
dry Civil bill for the fiscal year ending
June 3, 1914, which failed of passage
during the closing hours of the 62nd
Congress, but which will be passed early
in the extra session of the 63rd, will
carry $40, 045, 795. making upwards of
fifty-two millions of dollars available for
rivers and harbors-a tidy sum to be ex-
pended in the interest of commerce In
a general review of the river and harbor
bill, the National Rivers and Harbors
Congress says:
"But this is the time, not for the re-
taxation, but rather for the redoubling
of effort Much. has been accomplished
but much remains to be done. The water
way cause has enemies as we'll as friends
and our very successes are bringing in
creased opposition, both open and secret,
The Congress of the United States is re-
sponsive to public opinion, and the work
of the National Rivers and Harbors Con-
gress, which is that of creating an in
telligent and forceful public opinion re-
garding the benefits of improved water
ways, must be continued until great
national system of improved waterways
has become an accomplished fact"
While the new Democratic administra-
ton proposes to be economical, it is we'll
understood that economy is not to be
practiced at the expense of great public
interests. The Panama Canal is to be
completed and maintained with proper
garrison of troops; river and harbor
works are to continue under the present
advantageous program; an adequate navy
will be provided and efforts will be made
totestabish military policy which will
Improve the present mobile army Of in
fantry and field artillery. Owing to the
depletion of the infantry to garrison Ha-
xa7aii and the Canal Zone there is a de-
mand for an increase of that arm of the
National defense.
The present day fashion in facial adorn-
ment for men is reflected in the cabinet
of President Wilson in most impressive
manner. All are smooth shaven, with
the exceptions of Attorney General Nc
Reynolds and Secretary of Commerce
Redfield The former has a perfectly
good black moustache, while Mr. Red
field displays a hirsute adornment not
unlike the youth of Pccadilly sported in
the days of William Makepeace Thack-
cray. When the members group them
selves about the cabinet table the Sec
rotary CT Commerce looms up, to use
jaded figure, like Mars at Perlhelion.
Thirty-two States have ratified the
rect-election-of Senators amendment
to the Constitution, only four more States
being needed to make it a part of the
historic document. Supporters of the
amendment are hopeful that it will be
ratified this spring, in which event it
would put stop to the fruitless ballot
sng now going on for two Senators in
Illinois. Should its ratification come
early, the people of Illinois would be
called upon Immediately to express their
choice at the polls in order that the,State
may have its proper representation in
the upper branch of the National legis-
1ature.