River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1914-09-24
WASHINGTON LETTER
From James A. FFsar, MsnSsr of Cong ress
10Th District


before Congress. The President
has been supported in many OF
his requests by a united House.
Party lines Will be drawn on { e
war tax and many members OF the
Democratic majority have express
ed their opposition to the tax,
but may feel bound by the caucus.
To the writer it appears that no
war tax should be levied. Through
resolutions. remarks and otherwise
1 have presented the facts show
ing that approximately S52,00O,O00
is available now from unexpended
appropriation from waterway inn
provements. This large amount
would take care of the Mississippi,
Ohio and other legitimate river
and harbor improvements. 1t is
six or seven times the amount ap-
propriated where the rivers car
ried four times the traffic they do
today according to government
statistics. A small additional
emergency fund could be given
but the Southern Senators demand
the regular pork barrel bill. On
the other hand a bitter fight has
been waged against the additional
$4,000 900 river and harbor bill for
1914. The whole country is now
learning that the bill is over half
bad, as | stated six months ago
in the House.
Senator Simmons, of North Caro-
lima which state has tWenty-eight
projects in the bill, is in charge
of both the river and harbor bill
and the proposed war tax meas
ure. Many northern Democratic
leaders, including Vice President
Marshall and Senate leader, Kern,
are Disguised with the pork barrel
bill and according to reliable in
formation would like to see it kill
ed. However, with both bills in
the hands OF a Senator w h e
state gets more projects than n y
other,-several times as many is
Wisconsin-the situation is uncer-
tain as to the war tax.
If the 1914 river and harbor bill
is killed it will avoid the necessity
for a war tax and leave S52,OOO,OOO
on hand for waterway improve
ments.
l believe the pork barrel bill
will be killed. or substantially re-
duced in spite of Senator Simmons
opposition. It's death would OBJ
viate the necessity for war
tax according to many good au-
thentics, and that would relieve
every citizen who would other
wise contribute his part toward
North Cardinals crooked creeks.
Democratic Congressman fro M
the North are r%uch embarrassed
by being held here under the I'm
derwood Resolution.
After all the Southern primaries
were held, Mr.. Underwood demand
ed Congressman remain on the job.
In the far South where elections
are farce or a formality it is
unimportant, but in the North both
Democratic and Republican Mem
bers are held here, leaving free
field for their opponents. Prob
ably constituents would prefer that
Members k to their posts rather
than leave at this time. In any
event all are served alike n
if Members are misrepresented by
til cir opponents on the ground,
at home, all will have to grin and
bear it. Adjournment is not likely
to occur before the middle of Oc-
tober, according to present indica-
tions.
The President remains in Wash
ington. He runs out to the golf
grounds occasionally in the White
House automobile with several Sc
cret service men near at hand. No
one begrudges him all the recre-
alton he can find for aside from
honors and salary. the Presidents
lob is filled with hard work and
much dis com f ort according TO
those best acquainted with his
duties.
The Belgian Commissioners. who
came to see the President to pro-
test against alleged atrocities of
troops in Europe. are a good look
ing body of men. who would read
lily pass for ordinary citizens.
They were in the House Gallery
during the week and seemed to
take a deep interest in the pro-
ceedings. President Wilson's dip
lomatic answer to these protests
was anticipated by people who
have no desire to mix in foreign
affairs at this time.