West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1914-02-19
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER
President Wilson cratisIed With the
Work OF this Cousress-There will
be no Appropriations for Public
acknowledgements Brown
an Exceedingly Busy Man
Gro. W. svMMrn.


OF way and be concluded as soon as
possible, there is every reason TO expect
the complete fulfiment OF the pledges OF
the Democratic platform adopted at the
Baltimore convention at any early date.
While Congress has fallen into the way
OF putting off and delaying action on inn
portant matters, President Wilson has
undertaken to spur it on TO speedy ac-
ton on the measures which form part OF
the party platform and 80 far he has
succeeded very well. The tariff and
currency measures were passed much
more quickly than il he had not put on
the high speed and it is believed that the
antitrust measures will be out OF the
way by the FIRST OF June, so that the
Democratic candidates for Congress at
the election this year can go before the
people and stand OH platform of pledges
fulfilled. The West Virginia Democrats
I'm Congress. who may be candidates for
reelection will be even more fortunate
In this respect than some OF the other
candidates for they will be able to stand
least through their assistance. Congress
man Brown, should Inc be a candidate
Tor reelection, would be able to say not
only that he had helped TO pass the
measures in fulfillment of the Democratic
platform pledges, but that he had helped
as a member of the House banking and
currency committee, TO frame at least
one OF the measures. He was an ardent
supporter of the Democractic tariff
measure, which is now in force, and
will be as ardent in his support of the
anti trust measures which are TO be pass
ed soon. Mr.. Brown, as member of
the House committee on immigration
and naturalization, in the last Congress.
assisted in the preparation of bill which
was the forerunner of the immigration
bill which Las just passed the Senate and
he has therefore been Unidentified with
the greatest and most far-reaching bills
OF all that will be considered by the
present Congress. While there are not
"a many Democrats in Congress from
West Virginia as there were in the pre-
ceeding Congress, it must be gratifying
to the people of the State to know that
those who are in Congress from the State
are standing boldly by the President in
his policies and in carrying out the
| pledges of the Baltimore convention.
| They are helping to bring about those
conditions for which the people have
been cldmoring Tor years and must be in.
cluied among those to whom the thanks
OF the nation are due for bringing about
these changed conditions.
With the vote of both the Democratic
members of the House of Representatives
| from West Virginia cast in its favor, the
| Shackleford good roads bill passed the
House, carrying with it appropriations
for several million dollars for the purpose
of constructing good roads i'm all States
which will co operate with the federal
| government in their construction. IL IL
estimated that West Virginia's portion
OF the appropriation carried in this bill,
provided 1t passes the Senate, will be in
the neighborhood OF half million dol
lars which will be available if the State
will provide an equal amount for the
| joint construction of the roads. There has
been great deal OF discussion of the
subject OF good roads by persons who
have told what they would do if given an
| opportunity, but it remained for Demo.
cratic House OF Representatives, with the
| assistance OF both tire Democratic votes
4 70
providing the means for the building of
roads with federal aid. ii the State de-
sires to cooperate with the federal gov
eminent and practically get its roads
built at half price, all il has to do, in
the event OF the passage of the bill by
the Senate, will be to make like ap-
preparation and get busy. This would
mean million dollars for the building
OF main lines of road in all parts of the
State During all the years the Rrpubli.
cans were in absolute control OF Congress
the subject OF good roads was discussed
but it all ended in discussion till Demo
cratic House has passed bill giving q
start on system of joint federal and
State highways. Both Congressman
Nicely and Brown, the Democrats in
Congress from West Virginia, cast their
votes for the measure.
The preparation of the river and harbor
bill has been completed by the committee
which has had it in charge and il has
been reported 10 the House. It's passage
m practically its present form is assured
and there will be little disposition TO
amend il in the Senate, since it has been
regarded generally as one OF the preroea
tives Of the House to frame the river and
harbor bill. by the provisions OF thi.
BILL which will be supported by both
Congressman Nicely aud Brown, the
] Democratic members from West Virginia
ample provision ismade for the beginning
OF work on all the remaining locks and
dams in the Ohio river river which are
located IN the boundary Of West Virginia
Fonr Or possibly five years may boz re-
| quircd 10 complete the dams provided
for in This years bill, bnt al the expira
ton Of thar time the western part Of Tn,
State will be provided with co, tinuou.
water transportation for boats Of nine
icet draft, which can be interrupted by
heavy ice, winch seldom interrupts
traffic
sevcralcitiea in West Virginia, especial
ly IN the first nnd second districts. where
Congressman Nicely and Brown have
been especially active in their efforts a.