The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1914-08-21
At NATIONAL CAPITAL
Paragraphs on Important Cov-
ernment Affairs.
NO QUORUM IN CONGRESS
Most Members Away Looking
After Personal Affairs.
The Tribune Bureau.
BY j. E. JONES

uV ONsS0u'
BY -. E. JONES
Washington, D. C.-The Federal
Trade Commission bill anally found
its way through both houses, and the
organization Of that body will shortly
take place. This commission has ex
tensive powers, and one Of the things
1t Is expected to do is to proceed
against "unfair competition. The
proposed commission is to operate
with respect to all corporations en-
gagged In interstate commerce, except
log banks and common carriers, In
about the same manner that the
Interstate commerce commission is
dealing with the railroads. 1t there
fore follows that all classes of
business which have ''shady methods"
whether incorporated or not, should
begin ''shaking 10 their boots"
The United States employs
congressman as board Of directors
for the national government Each
member is paid salary sufficient to
keep him on the job. Yet one half
OF the total membership is absent
from duty, and In consequence most
OF the time there has not been quo
rum 10 the house Of representatives.
Leader Underwood has stormed and
Speaker Clark has threatened arrest
OF the absentees. In the meantime
politicians have been running about
the country, or have been at home
fixing up their political fences
thereby putting their personal COM
forts and needs above the demands OF
their position. Mr.. Underwood, in
speaking of the situation, declared
that "under existing conditions it is
not safe not to have a quorum in
Washington, and I hope that the
membership will stay here, at least
until we can see farther into the
future" His reference was prompted
by the war in Europe and the
decentralization that has come to
business in the United States 10
consequence.
The Federal reserve board is COM
pleted, and Paul NJ. Warburg of Wall
street has sustained the reputation
Of that region 10 forcing the senate
to do his way, and confirm his ap-
pointment. The board has been
doing active work In caring for
financial conditions throughout the
country.
4 raft OF army officers are being
sent to Europe to watch the manner
in which misguided men fight. When
1t Is all over, humanity ought to
make such a demand for worlds
court that there will be no more
reason for countries going to war In
future than for men to engage In
street tights, or for one city to take
up arms against another. To the
credit of the United States it may be
said that condition more serious
than that which provoked war In
Europe has been intelligently handled
In our affairs with Mexico, and the
chances are that peace will ultimate
ly be restored ia that stricken coun-
try and our differences with the
people of Mexico adjusted. And
while President Wilson is to be com-
mended for what he has done in this
direction, IL Is interesting to know
that his predecessor in office, Mr.
TAFT, predicts that the waste In blood
aud treasure In the European war
will be so appalling that it will sober
up the leading nations of the world
aud make irresistably for lasting
peace.
One Of the most highly developed
branches in American agriculture is
that of fruit growing, aud 1t is be
iieved that the war In Europe will
seriously affect this industry. In
European countries, American fruits
are more or less Of a luxury, and ex-
perts believe that the consumption
Will fall OF rapidly now that the