Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1914-08-28
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL
Events of Interest from the Seat
Of Government.
BY j. T.. JONES.
The Federal Trade Commission.


/ finally found it's way through both
houses, and the organization of that
body will shortly take place. 1t is
expected that Mr.. Joseph E. Davies
of Wisconsin, at present commission
er of corporations, will be chairman
of the new commission. This COM
mission has extensive powers. and
one of the things it is expected to do
is to proceed against unfair compe-
tition."
The proposed commission is to
operate with respect to all corpora
tons engaged in interstate COM
merce, except banks and common
carriers, in about the same manner
that the interstate commerce COM
mission is dealing with the railroads.
1t therefore follows that all classes
of business which have SHADY meth
ods," whether incorporated or not,
should begin shaking in their
boots" for while Mr.. Davies has al
ways been counted very peaceful
citizen, yet it is recognized that he
has the right kind Of backbone to
take the lead in investigating bust
ness conditions throughout the coun-
try, with the idea that there will fol-
low better methods among not only
the great corporate institutions. but in
all industries that have to do with
the public welfare. The president is
also expected to name additional
members of the commission who will
support such a policy as Mr.. Davies
has initiated in the bureau of cor
porations. which will be absorbed by
the new commission.
Where is Your Congressman?
The United States government en-
ploys congressman as a board of d.
rectors for the national government.
Each member is paid a salary suffi-
cient 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
a quorum in the house of represen-
tatives. 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 comforts and needs
above the demands of their position.
Mr.. Underwood. in speaking Of the
situation, declared that under exist
ing conditions it is not safe not to
have q quorum in Washington and
hope 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 in con-
sequence.
| Uncle Sam and John Bull.
The United States Is still prepared
to carry out it's arrangement with
Great Britain to celebrate one hun
bred years Of peace at the end of the
present year, and II Great Brita!n's
engagements are not too numerous,
the love feast promises to be giddy
affair, as Uncle Sam and John Bull
have been the greatest chums in the
civilized world-until Europe recent
ly became uncivilized. Since that
time John Bull has been 80 seriously
engaged that he has not even had
time to inspect the new series of
postage stamps being manufactured
in Washington as part OF the cele-
bration incident to the signing of the
treaty Of Client.
| The War Spirit.
A raft of army officers are being
sent to Europe to watch the manner
in which misguided men fight. When
it is all over, humanity ought to
make such q demand for a worlds
court that there will be no more rea-
son for countries going to war in
future than for men to engage in
street fights. or for one city to take
up arms against another. To the
credit of the United States 1t may be
said that a condition more serious
than that which provoked war in
Europe has been intelligently ham
died in our affairs with Mexico, and
the chances are that peace will ulti-
mately be restored in that stricken
country 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. it is interesting to know
that his predecessor in Office, Mr.. ,
Taft, predicted that the waste in |