The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1914-06-25
Washington Whisperings.

WASHINGTON, D. c., June 22, 1914.
What is universally regarded as the most
Illuminating, comprehensive and states
manlike debate that has occurred In the
Senate in generation, the discussion on
the bill to repeal the toll exemption
clause, which gives American ships the
right to pass through the Panama Canal
without charge, came to an END last
week. In the power of analysis, the
number of participants and the high
standard attained, there has been no de-
bate in Congress for years that is COM
parable to it, unless it be the debate on
the repeal of the silver purchasing clause
of the Sherman Act. There are old at
taches of the Senate who do not hesitate
to say that the tolls bill brought much
more formidable array Of real, genuine
talent than was brought out in that other
memorable debate twenty odd years
ago. and these same officials do not hesi-
tate to say that historians will place the
debate just ended, by the passage of the
bill with an amendment, as among the
greatest in the history Of the United
States.
Tired of constantly looking upon
large vacant space in the fresco frieze
in the rotunda of the Nations capitol,
Senator James A. O'Gorman of New
:rA~ in
gress to create a commission to arrange
for the early filling up of the space with
some characteristic national subject; one
that will not offend sectional sensibili-
ties, but will illustrate some significant
phase of the country's history and eff
fectively round out the series which be-
gins with the discovery of America.
For more than twenty-five years the
unfinished decoration has awaited def
mite action, which has been prevented by
the failure to agree upon an appropriate
subject for the concluding panel. 1t is
quite likely that if Brumidi, who painted
most of the frieze, and whose death re-
suited from an accident on the scaffold,
had lived to finish his work, there would
have been no difficulty on the score OF
the concluding picture. His successor,
however, was unable to obtain approval
for his design, and SO the panel has re-
manned unoccupied for more than quar-
ter of century, cause of wonderment
to millions of tourists, Americans as well
as foreigners.
Farm credit legislation seems to be
headed toward a sharp contest between
those for and opposed to government
loans. The new Buckley Hollis bill in
troduced in the House is the result of
the deliberations of the joint sub-com-
mittee of two branches of Congress. 1t
contains, in part, the principle of govern
ment loans for the benefit of agriculture,
which the large farm organizations have
contended for. In this respect, together
with the killing of the Moss Fletcher
bill, the new bill can be taken as par
tial triumph to the farmers. These Or
CARNATIONS were practically united in
support of the bill introduced by Repre-
sentative Bathrick of Ohio, who has led
the fight for government aid during the
last two years. His persistent propa-
ganda for this principle is we'll known,
and to his research, speeches and writ
ings is mainly due the credit for the
general understanding of that division
of the farm credit question.
In an interview he presents his views
as follows: Everybody now knows that
all the leading nations of Europe are
doing more for the farmers than l have
asked our government to do. Those who
are posted, and are not more interested
in high profits on interest than in the
future Of our food supply, have stopped
calling government loans class legisla-
ton and socialism.
my bill is still the best bill to relieve
the burden of high cost of money to the
farmer. But l have had some expert
ence in getting the right kind of legisla-
ton. Very often the over-zealous miss
the psychological moment to get the
best they can. 1t is for that reason l
have announced my support for the
Bulkley-Hollis bill. The bill contains
three items of substantial government
aid which will be of immense advantage
to the West and South, particularly. 1t
opens possibilities of good everywhere.
It contains as little greed as could be ex-
pected with the many opinions Of conflict
ing interests. Ithas touch of mutually.
and improving amendments can be made
which should not seriously conflict with
the opinions of the makers of the bill.
Expenses of operation are low, the bonds
to be issued against mortgages are well
fortified and should sell at rate which
should reduce the interest burden to the
borrowers"
GhiI0Tan Crv