Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1914-07-17
SENATOR HOKE SMITHS RECORD
OF WORK IN WASHINGTON

One of the big questions before con-
gress in the early part of 1912 was the
parcel post. There was already an in
ternational parcel post permitting the
shipment of packages of not exceeding
eleven pounds in weight for uniform
price of twelve cents pound. That
was what the farmers were clamoring
for-the right to ship an eleven-pound
package anywhere in the United States
at twelve cents pound, which would
have been $1,32 for the package, and
that was what was in the bill as 1t
was passed by the house.
Senator Smith had gone on the post
office committee for just such work as
he proceeded to do On the parcel post.
He reasoned that something far better
than the house had proposed could be
done for the farmers and the people
generally The long haul at twelve
cents pound would suit some folks,
but most people were interested in a
short haul at a lower rate. Senator
Bourne, chairman of the committee,
and Senator Smith evolved a zone sys-
TEN of rates-fifty miles, one hundred
and fifty, three hundred, and so on,
starting with five cents for the first
pound and adding two cents a pound
so that an eleven-pound package could
be sent fifty miles for twenty-five
cents. Other rates were in proportion
and in that shape the law was passed.
Experience has demonstrated that
the bulk of the business is on the
short hauls and at the low rates, and
it is a singular fact that despite these
low rates the financial returns to the
government are more satisfactory on
the short hauls than on the long hauls.
The weight limit has been increased,
first to twenty pounds and finally to
fifty pounds. Under this system of
low rates for the short hauls the par
eel post has been great and instan-
taneous success. Senator Smith is i'm
mensely pleased with the results.
Division of Markets.
During his first year in Washington
Senator Smith introduced a bill to es-
tablish in the department of agricul-
ture a division of markets to aid the
farmers in the marketing of their
crops. The bill was introduced at the
suggestion of Hon. R. F. Duckworth
and other officers of the Farmers I'm
ion. An appropriation of $4,000 year
was made and the division has been in
operation now for more than year. It's
work is to be largely increased and ex-
tended, under appropriations already
agreed upon.
Advocated Wilson's Nomination.
AS early as February, 1912, Senator
Smith announced his advocacy of
Woodrow Wilson for the presidency.
Ia CT 81 tn NTTilcnT1 9
nomination, and with the adjournment
of congress spent the succeeding
months in campaign work in the west
and east. He was rewarded by see
ing the former Georgian sweep the
country from ocean to ocean.
When it was known that the Repub.
licans, who year before, were in
naughty control Of the government,
had been hurled from power, the fig.
ure of Hoke Smith doomed still larger
in national affairs, and when later it
was seen that even the senate had
passed into the hands Of the Demo.
Gratis, Hoke Smith was hailed as the
coming leader of the senate. The up
heaval of November was to be felt
| in every department of the govern
ment-the house, the senate and the
presidency, all belonged to the Dem
ocrats.
This political revolution meant first
of all the complete reorganization of
| the senate. Under the old order of
things Democrats of a reactionary type
were in line for committee chairman
ships. The seniority rule would have
given them these places of power and
! they could have stif1ed important re-
forms, as was done under Cleveland.
The great body of Democrats turned to
Hoke Smith to lead in handling the sit.
uation. He was one of the controlling
| spirits on the committee that effected
the reorganization, and it was accom-
plished without the slightest friction.
Each senator was given the chairman
ship to which he was entitled under
the seniority rule, but the membership
of the committee was so arranged that
the Progressive Democrats were in
| control. 1t is fact, however, that
! the men who were considered reac-
| ttonary got into line quickly and never
since the war has there been such
harmony as the Democrats have expe-
rienced under Wilson's administration.
Tariff and Currency Bills.
| When the Democrats came into pow
er on March 4, 1913, Senator Smith
was urged to take the Craftsmanship
of the new banking and currency com.
mittee, which was to shape the cur
rency bill He preferred, however, a
place on the finance committee, which
was to have charge of the tariff, and
still chung to his old places on the
postoffice committee and the commit
| tee on agriculture. He took the chair
manship of the committee on educa-
ton and labor and is on other COM
mittees, including the important judi.
ciary committee.
| AS a member of the finance commit
tee, Senator Smith spent practically
| the entire summer of 1913 on the tariff
bill, working usually from early in the
morning until eleven o'clock at night
| AS soon as the tariff bill was dis.
posed of he took up the currency bill,
| to which he added important amend.
ments. One of these provided for re-
ducing the rate of interest on the Aid
rich Vreeland emergency currency to
three and half per cent. per annum
for the first six months. That amend.
| D,ant mada available at a low rate of