The Washington herald., 1914-06-29

Il g.
the next step is to delay their enactment;
and you may ask what good can be ex-
pected from mere delay. II It is, admitted
that new conditions now make desirable
new laws.
He Offers Remedy.
The proposal that would like to see
Congress agree to is this: I would py
no means ask that Congress merely stop
its legislative fork because its members
are weary, or because they hear domes-
tic or political calls that are with great
force attracting them homeward; would
ask that the two Houses go forward
now with a full discussion OF these sew
eral important legislative projects; that
they permit free debate. and that they
gather such information from hearings
as they may feel will help them toward
wise conclusions: that they finally, at as
early a date as they can, agree upon
the exact and specific form which these
measures are to take on the statute
books, and then. without enacting them
definitely into law, that they go home
and give the country three months time
in which to study their completed work
Give the voters three months time in
which to familiarize themselves with the
exact terms of the law which Congress
proposes to enact. give themselves three
months time in which TO feel the reflec-
ton OF public opinion, and n after that
they are so minded. let them return to
Washington and enact these measures
into law.
I would rest perfectly contented under
such an arrangement
would not ask for a referendum TO
prove whether or not a majority of the
voters actually want this legislation,
which at present / doubt; 1 would only
ask that citizens have an opportunity,
for a brief ninety days, to study in its
is proposed. I would ask that business
men have This opportunity to discuss
this legislation. which so vitality concerns
not only their interests, but the interests
OF the whole country and of all the peo-
pie for years to come. Is it too much
to ask that with such a grave respon-
sibility resting upon legislators that they
permit and not only permit but seek.
such an analysis OF their proposed acts
and such a capitalization Of sound opin-
ion in regard to them?
We have gone through many years
without this legislation; a delay of nine
ty days would not be fatal TO the hope
for benefcence from its effect.
A year ago We were told that the pend
ing banking legislation had TO be en-
acted at the special session. Failing
NldAs was llldllg bIOuSnl " DChI
the greatest executive pressure to make
II a law before the Christmas holidays.
1t is still imperative. but the country
is in no financial turmoil as a result.
The chief executive took nearly six
months TO select the board which is to
be responsible for its administration, and
the admirable character of
the selections made, the time may have
been well spent
1t was on last October Is that the
Eastern roads made an application to
the Interstate Commerce Commission for
advance in rates. That body has felt
that it was wise to take the months
that have interviewed for considering the
matter and has not yet made public its
decision.
Asks for Patience.
Why cannot we. therefore have a little
patience, however strong our belief may
be in the desirability of this pending
legislation? Why ought We not TO give
the country time to study il in its spe-
cifc and definite form. before it is
finally engraved upon the tablets?
II such a course were adopted how
ever. it is easy to see how important
II would be that the public opinion |
which weighed these measures, should |
be informed, right-minded constructive. |
My only fear, were such a course taken |