The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1914-11-20
At NATIONAL CAPITAL
Paragraphs on Important Gov.
ernment Affairs.
RULES COMMITTEES POWER
Sneaker Clark. rk.-Submarines.- The
Railroads Regulated.
The Tribune Bureau.
BY j. e. JONES

Washington, ID. C.-Suurage And
Prohibition. The result OF the con-
test for woman suffrage and prohibit
tlon 10 number OF states, directs
attention to the two issues. Several
million people having shown enthusi.
astic interest In these two questions,
it naturally appears to the uniniti-
ated that there ought to be no Ques-
tion about congress considering the
subjects. But the same influences
against which the country revolted
aud called "Cannonism" are still
maintaining so thorough strangIe-
hold on congress and its rules that it
Is impossible to get these matters be.
fore congress. For several months
during the present year it was possible
for the house committee on rules,
composed OF eleven members, to
prevent this issue from coming be.
fore congress. The same committee
OF eleven can defeat the will of the
entire house OF representatives at the
coming session il they desire to do so
The voters 10 the different districts
may think it an easy matter for their
brilliant representatives TO present
any particular matter OF legislation,
but the rules are mightier than the
congress. 1t Is very much Of ques.
ton whether the prohibltionis,s or
the suffragists will be able to secure
consideration for their bills before
the adjournment Of the third session
OF the 63rd congress.
The Original Speaker Clark
Champ Clark is great on doing things
differently from other people. He
attributes the election results to the
war, thereby differing with his fellow
democrats. The same Mr.. Clark
opposed the policy Of the admins
tration In reference to the Panama
Tolls, and three years ago he started
out seriously with the Intention Of
annexing Cuba. However, the peo.
pie down 10 Missouri evidently
believe in him, and he has been
eected by his usual majority, and
doubtless will again be chosen speaker
without opposition In his own party.
Will Specialize On Submarines. =
Uncle Sam has been watching
European affairs, and one of the
earliest results will be tue construc-
Ton OF what will probably be the
greatest submarine fleet afoat. IL
Tue European struggle some of the
most effective work has been done by
submarine vessels, and as result the
Washington government has adopted
aew type. Dreadnaughts are bard
lnlngs to get out OF congress, but
submarines cost less. and indications
are that they will do better work
than the great monster fighters.
A Superhuman Task.-When 1t
was proposed that Uncle Sam should
regulate the railroads of the country
one OF the first of the Interstate com.
merce commissioners said that 1t was
"superhuman task" However, the
broader idea prevailed and the Ameri,
can people insisted that the railroads
should no longer control public affairs,
aud they sought to become masters of
'ne situation, and finally succeeded.
Inc result Is that there is clearer
understanding Of conditions; and The
government, which now regulates
railroads, even though 1t was a
'superhuman task,n has shown a
disposition to do just about what is
right.