Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1914-07-03

THE NATIONAL CAPITAL
Events OF Interest from the Seat
OF Government.
BY J. f.. JONES.
Sweltering and Craftsmanship.

SWeltering and Craftsmanship.
Obstreperous politicians have given
up all hope of adjourning congress,
and it is said that the Democratic
leaders are agreed with President
Wilson that the antitrust legislation
must be on the statute books before
the final curtain is rung down on the
present session. In Boston, a favorite
"humorist" has remarked that when
the days begin to shorten, the heat
begins to hotten." In support of the
New England rhymester it is observed
that since the 22nd of June the
weather has been so hot in the nation
al capital that the pavements have
furnished an elasticity that ought to
make the ad-writers for O'Sullivan's
rubber heels green with envy, be-
cause of their lack of power of de-
scription. The general notion that
senator or representative is big fat
man who finds it necessary to mop
his perspiring countenance with a
handkerchief about the size of pill
! low-case, is a little far fetched-but
the fats and the leans who are saying
the country actually do flourish best
in the shade. Most of them are apt
to be discovered arrayed in light fan
mel or duck suits, and the negligee
costume is completed with tailored
silk shirts and white shoes. The net
result is that in Washington people
lappear much as they do in the tropics.
The older members of congress have
spent thei rsumners at the capital for
six years, and with the heat to goad
them, even the belligerents have CIV
en- up the ghost of resistance, and sur
rendered to the wishes of the admin
istration. In fact, good many of
the mighty sOlons are in an almost
comatose condition, and are quite
willing to put through almost any
kind of antitrust bills, providing
they can hasten the return to their
own baliwicks, and give their atten-
ton to their political fences, which
in many cases are badly out of repair.
Last year congress had a continuous
performance, and there was no vaca-
ton. and as the time approaches when
the frost will be on the pumpkin and
the fodder in the shock, sweltering
- 20 hnod-
achy politics, and renew their friend
ly relations with old cronies and
neighbors. 1t is queer sort of
statesman that is not ready to say
"amen" to the demand of the country
that congress adjourn.
Live Stock ON the Ranges.
The forest service makes the state
ment that at least one-twentieth of
stock bred on the open ranges of the
West dies before 1t reaches market
age. The waste in Western live
stock bred on the open range is said
to add millions of dollars to the peo-
pies meat bills, and gives one more
cause for the high cost of living. Elk
posture is the principal cause assigned
for the large death rate among stock.
1t is quite interesting to note that the
development of the West has not ma
terially reduced the number of ami
mails which prey upon domestic live
stock, and the forest service estimates
that several million dollars worth of
stock is killed annually by wild
beasts. However, during the past
eight years forest officers have killed
over $4,000 predatory animals. con-
sisting Of coyotes, wolves. bears,
mountain lion, wild cats, etc. Anoth-
er phase of forestry is contained in
a communication from an Arizona In
dian chief, read in the senate few
days ago, in which the claim was
made that the national forests were
already overcrowded with stock. The
Indian further went on to say that
his people could not compete with
the white man as stock-raisers, and
made a plea for money appropria-
tons instead of continued allotments
of live stock.
Wheels of Government Grind Exceed.
ing Slow.
There appears to be considerable
joy in the postoffice department over
the fact that after July l money or
ders will be made payable at any
postal money order Office in the coun-
try. Postmaster General Burleson is
certainly entitled to good deal of
credit for having really accomplished
this reform, as it is thing that the
postoffice officials and postmaster gen.
erals have been talking about for at
least 90 years. The reform" shows
q difference in the manner of doing
things under government and private