The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1914-04-03
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.


\ by L. J. HalD.
The Senate evidently believes that
the right to prescribe the qualifi-
cations for voting belongs to the
State. The resolution to submit an
amendment to the constitution pro-
viding for woman suffrage, failed
to receive the necessary two-thirds,
and was defeated. There were at
tempts to amend the resolution by
including the repeal Of the 18th
amendment Thus amended, Sena-
tors from the South would, no doubt,
have supported it.
Rumors are rife regarding change
of sentiment on the question of re-
pealing the free tolls provision Of
the Canal act No doubt the opposi-
ton to repeal has gained ground,
but, in our opinion there is little
probability of defeat. President
Wilson has made it plain that he
desires repeal, and we believe it will
be done. A rule will be passed max
ing the bill n special order, and pro-
viding for fifteen hours general de-
bate, after which it will be consd-
cred under the five minute rule and
vote taken.
With characteristic inconsistency,
Republicans are keeping up the cry,
gag rule" executive interference"
Boss ridden" etc, rs they note the
steady forward movement Of the
movement of the Democratic admin
istration toward the relief of the
masses from burdens placed upon
them by the high-tarfr, trusts and
monopolies. No Congress in the his
tory Of the country has made a more
intelligent effort to put everybody
on an equal footing in the field of
human endeavor. The taunts and
jcers of the friends of the cormor-
ants may be expected.
1t is well known that Uncle Sam
is n great publisher and distributor
of information on thousands of sub
jects, but it is perhaps not generally
known that he is also a big book
seller, and that his business is rapid
ly increasing. In 1904 the sales Of
government documents amounted to
about $l2,j0O In 1913 the sales
reached the sum of S1O5ODO. For the
year ending June 30. 1914, it is eS-
timatcd that Sl33,5OO worth will be
sold. These documents cover vari-
Gus phases Of animal and plant life,
natural phenomena, land, water and
man in his activities.
The government will soon begin at
at Cincinatti, Ohio, comprehensive
investigation Of tuberculosis in rela.
tion to all kinds Of industries, under
the direction Of the Public Health
Service. A very careful study OF
heating lighting, ventilation and
sanitation Of factories, workshops
| anu i'il"'H WILL NC maui, WIN d view
to improvement of conditions. In
structions in preventive and treat.
ment measures will be given both
workers and employers. Surgeon
General Blue has detailed Surgeon
Dana T.. Robinson to take charge OF
this work, in the results of which the
whole country will be deeply inter.
ested.
Since the value of radium in the
treatment of cancer has become
known there has been n growing in,
terest concerning the conservation OF
carnolite ores from which the pre-.
cious element is extracted. A bill
now pending in the Senate, gives the
United States Government exclusive
right to purchase all radium-bear
ing ores from deposits on public land,
and appropriates $l50,00O for an ex
tracing plant, and 100000 for tn,
purchase of ores and the expense o.
extraction. There is, however, meet
for action, as domestic and foreign
prospectors are said to be very &C
tive in locating all claims on whicl
there is any indication of radum.
In the construction of the grea
Pishkun reservoir and Sun Rive
Canal, a Montana reclamation pro
ject, the Government contracted witt
the Great Falls Hydro Electric plan
for electrical energy at l cent pc
Kilowatt hour, delivered at tire
sub-stations, over a distance of sew
enty miles. Electric power is beinI
utilized in building the diversion dan
= constructing the reservoir, drivin
tunnels and in excavating the cana
A great saving is expected over tn
use Of steam on account of the lon
distance over which coal would hav
to be hauled. This is a new idea i
: large construction work and will b
watched with interest.