The Republican journal., 1914-02-05
Our Washington Letter.
Tspeci.l to The Republican Journal.l

Especial to The Republican JournaLl
| WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. 2, 1914.
Maine folks are taking hold right active
ly at Washington these January days.
Numerous questions of Maine interest
have been coming up for action and q
good many visitors from Maine have
been in town of late. The most promi-
! nent of these was Gov. William T.
Haines, who tarried here for the best
part of two days. The governor had
good opportunity for looking the Wash
ington ground over and for getting in
touch with Maine authorities here. Sena-
tors Burleigh and johnson and Repre-
sentatives Kinds, McGillicuddy. Peters
and Guernsey accompanied him to the
Bureau of Fisheries, where the governor
told the Fisheries Commissioner, DR..
Hugh M. Smith, how much interested
the Maine fishermen are that the federal
government shall continue to purchase
seed Holsters.
Senator Burleigh had been to the bu-
reau previously, on representations made
to him by constituents along the Maine
shore, and had been assured that DIR.
Smith would do no violence to the lobster
industry in Maine. Indeed Senator Bur-
leigh had been informed by DR.. Smith
that the location of new lobster hatch
cry in Maine was in contemplation by
the Department of Commerce as soon as
Congress appropriates the necessary
funds. Dr. Smith wants lobster hatch
cry where the young can be reared to
the point that they can take care OF
themselves. He thinks the lobster fry
are "planted" in the ocean now so early
that many of them are devoured by
fishes.
Senator Burleigh has recently been
taking up with members of the House
Interstate Commerce Committee objec-
lions to bill introduced by Representa-
tive Lafferty, of Oregon, requiring sar-
dine packers to print additional data
upon their product. 1t is claimed this
bill, if enacted into law, would work I'M
necessary hardship upon the packers, as
they would be required to maintain
small printing plant at each establish
ment. There is said to be little likeli-
hood that the bill will become law.
Representative Lafferty is not an in
fuential member and his bill is not re-
garded seriously by his colleagues.
Representative John A. Peters, of the
Third Congressional district is getting
his stride at Washington. He finds it
little lrksome, to be sure, serving as
minority member of the House, and OBJ
serves that he can do more back home at
Ellsworth than he can get done at Wash
ington under a Democratic administra-
ton. But that is the experience of mi
nority members generally. None the less
Mr.. Peters is doing we'll and, Democrats
were giving Republicans chance, Mr..
Peters would be doing great deal more
than he is now.
Mr.. Peters recently took up in cooper
alton with Representative Allen Tread
wav. of the westernmost district of Mass
the case of Fred T. Mccarthy,
a misguided but we'll meaning young man
who was trying to get place as govern
ment clerk Young Mccarthy lived in
Holyoke, Mass, but came down toWash- !
ington some months ago for temporary
service in the census Office. He fell in
here with man who claimed TO be able
to get men permanently into the govern
ment service. First Mccarthy, who is
deaf and without many friends, paid this
man $40 and was told if he would pay
him 500 more permanent clerkship
could be obtained. Thereupon Mccarthy
told a government chief that he would |
paw him $3.50 if he could have a 5000 |
Nothing was heard of this for time
and Mccarthy went back to his home in
Holyoke, but his statement was brought |
to the attention of the legal authorities.
1t is violation of federal statutes to
make such a proposal. Finally United
States Deputy Marshal got Mccarthy at
Holyoke and brought him on to Wash
ington, where he is held pending trial.
At first he was put into Jail but is now
released on bail, largely due to Mr.. Pet
ers' efforts.
The Third District Congressman took
pity on the young man and has visited
the United States District Attorney here
in his behalf. Mr.. Peters pointed out
that Mccarthy had promised the $3.50
without any idea that it was criminal
offense and that Mccarthy had already
been punished sufficiently, because the
Civil Service Commission has stricken
his name from the eligible list SO that he
can not hereafter get a government
Congressman Peters has made an ap-
peal to the Treasury Department and to