River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1914-04-16
WASHINGTON LETTER
FROM JAMES 4. FREAR, MEMBER OF
CONGRESS, 10th DISTRICT

Washington, April 14.-That ac-
cidents have happened in the best
regulated families is evidenced
from a scathing article against the
repeal of the Panama Canal free
tolls, published in one Of the lead
ing papers of the Tenth District,
with my name as the author. L
first heard of it when published
and an immediate correction was
sent. The article contained I'M
complimentary references to the
President and to influences behind
the repeal bill.
However much men may differ
with President wilson's Judge
ment on the Mexican, Panama.
tariff or other questions; his sin
cerity and honesty of purpose will
be questioned by few. Neither do
I believe the railroad trust or
shipping trusts influenced the
vote of a single member of the
House. At least no Lobbyists for
or against the repeal were in evil
dence. 1t is a question on which
good men are differing in both
House and Senate and one in which
national honor and self respect are
involved, according to individual
Judgment. Those who jump at
conclusions based on prejudicial
press comments for or against the
bill, are likely to be misled as to
as to the real issue.
In last Saturdays Congression-
al Record appeared review Of
the River and Harbor bill where
in appears over score of amend
ments offered by me on the floor
to strike out bad provisions ag-
gregating nearly twenty million
dollars, including $5,O00,OO0 for ca
nalizing the Ohio River and $8,OOO,-
900 for the Chesapeake & Delaware
canal. Members Of the Committee
supposed the amendments were
for home consumption, but l have
hopes of enlisting the aid of Sen
ators in killing the $76,OO0,OO pork
barrel in the Senate. If not defeat
ed there, | feel sure that Presl-
dent Wilson will veto the bill il
made acquainted with its provis-
ions. At the beginning of the five
days debate | was charged with
filbustering, but at this writing,
Members are trying to save their
pet project now before the Sen
ate, which are known in legisla-
tive vernacular as "pork."
Several Wisconsinites have hon
ored the writer with calls recent
ly. Mrs. A. w. Stout with her son
William and nephew George w.
LaPointe all from Menomonie,
spenting several days in the city
visiting legislative halls and pub
lie buildings. Senator Stout who
league of the writer when the
triumphant fight for railway leg
islation was made in our state SEN
ate. His influence, always strong,
was ever on the right side of
every corrective law passed dur
ing that memorable session. but he
will be remembered more parti-
cularly for his services as chair
man of the senate educational
committee and for his philan-
thropic work which left the great
Stout Institute as lasting me-
mortal to truly good man.
Judge Dodge, one of the bright
est and keenest lawyers of the
state, also ran in last week. Sew
eral years ago he resigned from
the Wisconsin Supreme Court
bench on account of ill health, but
he came in with a tanned, healthy
color and vigorous step that show
ed the effect of a months outing
in Georgia. 1t is said that hard
fighting makes fast friends, but
our association occurred through
three years labor at the same
boarding house table in Madison.
The Judge broke down because OF
over work rather than because OF
the table, which was excellent.
Hon. o. G. Kinney of Colfax
came in to shake hands while ac-
companying a large Northwestern
delegation that was inviting the
President to participate in the big
Nav celebration at Minneapolis.
Mr.. Kinney and the writer occupi-
ed adjoining seats in the 1913 as
sembly and both served on the
railway committee during the ses-
sion. He is now manager OF one
of the largest automobile agencies
in Wisconsin, having sold over 100
cars during the month of Febru-
airy.
On the same day of Mr.. Kinney's
call, James Peterson of Mime
apolis, on the same mission to the
city, spent a short time in the
office. Back in 1901 when I was
county attorney for ST. Croix,
Peterson, then county attorney
for Hennepin county, aided me
with my Investigations of the
Hennepin primary law which with
notifications was passed by Wis
consin at the next session. Peter
son made a strong run against
Knute Nelson for U. S. Senator at
the last primary and by coinci-
dence both are former Badgers
once hailing from Dane county.
T Il