The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-03-19
kEokuk FROM BEHIND THE
erEMEC

Congressman who have press agents
ito exploit them and furnish material
for the press agents by introducing
sensational, but absurd, resolutions In
congress demanding that something or
other be investigated upon the slim
NEST OF charges are not in favor
with the Philadelphia Enquirer which
says In an article entitled, Behind
the Scenes at the National Capital.
AS matter of fact, the reason
congress Is constantly ordering in
yestigations IL that certain of the
members believe that they will be
able to make political capital out OF
such inquiries.
An example of the pernicious effect
of the foolish investigations which are
being urged so constantly In congress
lis given in the resolution to inquire
into the company whien has invested
miliioas of dollars in the construc-
ton OF the dam across the Mississippi
river at Keokuk, Iowa. and Hamilton
Illinois.
The eompany's Investment was
made under law passed BY cong ress'
but now Mr.. Rainey. OF Illinois, pro-
poses In resolution in the house 70
start an inquiry apparently with
view to repeating or changing the
law.
OF course such action will never De
taken, but foreign investors do NOT
always realize the force OF Speaker
Ciark's remark that it is possible TO
have introduced in congress any kind
OF bill, even one to carve green
cheese from the moon.
President Wilson's appeal for
demonstration that the United States
will discharge every obligation with
out clubbing or hesitation is apple,
able to the Keokuk dam matter The
resolution probably will never be
heard OF again, but individual mem
bers should realize their RESPONSIBLE
| ity and refrain from introducing res
iolutions and bills which may seem OF
no consequence here because they
can not pass. but which surely will
be misunderstood by those foreigners
whom we have induced to invest IN
American enterprises.
Members of congress, of course, are
aware that the proposition for an In
ivestigaticn OF the keokuk dam matter
/ is ridiculous. Nevertheless, the ap.
meals for Investigations OF every de-
lscription still continue. It requires
courage nowadays TO protest against
an Injustice done q corporation or
attempt to sauelch an investigation,
however foolish it may seem on Its
face. There have been SO many use
less inquiries, however. that Senator
Root performed really great ser
vice when he appealed to the dignity
Of the senate to assert Itself and re-
fuse to permit outsiders to use 1t fol-
stock iobbing or publicity purposes OF
to take revenge on some enemy.
The situation has reached the point
where any member of congress wish
ing to obtain a little notoriety intro
lduces a resolution to investigate
sorlE hing. Investigations have pc
come a national institution. so mucn
SO that a number OF men who forme.
8tly confined their activities to wal
lstreet, have shifted to Washington.
Considering its distance from thu
Mississippi river. the Philadelphia
Enquirer has remarkably clear Wis
ion OF affairs out here, including thu
pernicious activities of Congressman
Rainey who represents the Illinois
district filled with coal mines in sharl
competition with the keokuk eheal
water power.