River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1914-10-01
WASHINGTON LETTER
From James A. FFeaF, Member of Congress
10th District.

1unQ TO supplement Q0Z,UUU,UUU IL
unexpired appropriations will pre-
vent any injury to existing con
tracts unless Army Engineers are
incompetent to properly expend
S72,OOO,OOO in one year. The saw
ing to the country amounts to
S33, 100000 in cash and $33,00O,O0
future contracts on new projects,
totall1ng S66,OO0,OOO. The barrel is
busted; a powerful lobby discom-
fitted, and those who at first ridi-
culed are wiser than before.
Publicity and organization did
it.
The war tax measure was slip
ped through the House on a greas-
ed rail. Providing for a tax Of
S100,O00,O0O, on various articles,
rule was brought in that no am
mendment could be offered as to
the articles to be affected, h e
rate to be imposed or for any other
purpose. On measure that pro-
poses a tax of one dollar on every
man and woman and child in t h e
country, on an average, only seven
hours debate was permitted. The
steam roller was never used more
effectively. LenrOot made strong
ten-minute speech that grilled the
whole performance. Other speak
declared that economy and not ex-
traVagance would avoid the neces-
sity for tax After a lively but
fruitless fight the bill was passed
on to the Senate.
When the Mulhall charges against
the Manufacturers Association for
lobbying, were presented, an in
vestigation was had and Congress-
man McDermott was asked to an
sWer charges before the House on
which vote would have been
taken to determine whether he
should be entitled to remain in
Congress. Congressman Nelson Of
Wisconsin was the leader in press
ing the charges. To avoid any test
vote McDermott resigned his seat,
became a candidate for re-elec-
ton and was renominated by the
Chicago Stock Yards District
which he represents. McDermott
claims he is indicated. The Ju-
dietary Committee of the House
does not intend to accept the de-
cision of his constituents but will
again press the charges on his re-
return.
President Wilson has had the
support of all parties in dealing
with the Mexican problem. Many
members of Congress doubted the
policy of Intervention at Vera
Cruz because it bristled with dan
ger. But just as hats are being
taken off off to that policy, Messrs.
Villa and Carranza fall out as was
predicted. According to former
residents of Mexico, there is very
little to choose from between HUI
erta and those who follow him.
In order to obtain order some
body's fingers are likely to be
burned. An exhibition of w h t
real war means is furnished across
the water, but while the President
is sure to find no divided ranks
behind him, no one now IS to
be found demanding that Huerta
salute the flag.
Rumors of adjournment yet how
er around the Capitol. Since the
defeat of the River and Harbor
bill the outlook is improved but
the Senate will not permit tn e
war measure to be slipped along
easily. Criticism is frequently
heard against the slow -moN ing
Senate, but it should be remem-
bered that while no amendments
were permitted in the House to
the tariff, currency, trust or W ar
(1ldI wv u wv 0CAiclIC gill
mendments were accepted by the
House on the tariff bill, and the
currency and trust bills were am
mended by the Senate in many par
ticulars before they We're enacted
into law.
No excuses from attendance ex-
cepting on the account of sickness
are accepted by the House and it
is remarkable to find how strong,
sturdy men find it necessary to
secure a change of climate under
the doctors directions, as election
day draws near. Southern Demo-
Gratis who have had their primaries
continue to smile because the rule
was not imposed until all t h Ell r
fences had been repaired.