Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1914-04-23

called to the fact that the commission
was being overworked. IL also was
said the commissioners did not care to
have the membership OF the board in
creased. preferring another way out
of their difficulties, but until the way
is found it seems there is to be sand
in the machinery of operations, and
parties to cases must wait for an
swers to their prayers.
Commission Not to Blame.
Since attention was called to this,
the condition Of overwork in the com
mission has been attracting wide no.
tice and considerable criticism. The
opinion here is that the board itself
is not to blame for 1t Is hardly con.
ceivable that the members are work
ing overtime simply because they
like to, and that they are working
overtime work necessary. The com.
missioners are not the only ones who
have to keep late hours, for their sec
retaries always, and the other EN-
| ployes occasionally are forced to keep
going frequently we'll into the night.
or course it ia the delay in the rem
dering Of the decision on the request
of the eastern railroads for permission
to advance freight rates five per cent
that has called particular attention to
the mass OF work which the board has
before 1t. The decision waited for so
eagerly both by the shippers and by
the railroad people OF course is certain
| to come, but the hour of its coming
is uncertain and meantime the uncer-
tainty of the nature of the decision
Is said to be causing commercial trou-
bles. The president 1t is said is just
as anxious as anybody else for an
early decision. but OF course he can
might be construed that he is inter-
fering with something which does not
concern him.
objects to Treaty.
There we're outlined some time ago
by President Wilson or his secretary
OF state three more or less def
mite foreign policies-one the repeal OF
the tolls exemption provision of the
Panama canal act. another the nego-
tiation Of arbitration treaties with
foreign governments and another q
treaty with Colombia containing
words of apology and promise of
money payment for the action OF this
government in recognizing the indie
pendence OF Panama without due
time and consideration"
Everybody will remember, OF course.
that Panama. through which now runs
the isthmian canal, was until few
years ago, a part of the country OF
Colombia. During the Roosevelt ad'
ministration Panama revolted and the
United States recognized its independ-
ence. and then at once began negotia-
lions with the new government for
the construction by Uncle Sam Of the
great waterway.
Colombia ever since has been ag-
grieved and has not been at all back
ward in expressing its grievance to
this country. II has asked indemnity
for the act OF the United States. and
limited that an apology also would be
most acceptable. There Is in treaty
form today. sanctioned, II Is said. by
the administration OF the United
States. a proposition to apologize TO
Colombia and to pay It a large sum
of money. This treaty has been signed
by our minister to Colombia. and Is
under consideration by the Colombian
government.
Strong Opposition to Treaty.
There was trouble in the house OF
representatives when the repeal OF the
Panama canal tolls was under discus.
sion, but the scene then probably will
be as one Of peace compared to that
in the senate when the attempt is
made to secure the ratification of this
treaty with Colombia, containing, as II
does. an apology to the South Amer
lean government and a proposition to
, put into It's Golfers a big bag of gold
, There are men in the congress oil
the United States who think the rec
ignition of the independence of Pan
anna was too hasty and an act moi
, easily to be defended. but those who
/ say this seemingly are in the minor
! ity, and IL Mr.. Wilson shall succeed
, in changing the minds OF the ma
jority he can account himself victor IL
/ a policy against which 1t is admitted
in Washington most OF the members
, of congress seem to stand in opposi
ton.
Don't Want TO Apologize.
I 1t will be hard work for the presi
5 dent OF the United States to secure
4 the ratification OF the proposed treat,
: with Colombia. 1t is definitely known
: that many Of the Democrats In the sen
+ ate do not like the ides of voting fol
+ a treaty which admits virtually tina
t this country did wrong in taking thu
S means which it did to secure the build
: ing OF the Panama canal. Colombi'
e | was an pyagiya Whiia ITncla Sam wa,