The Newport plain talk. (Newport, Tenn.) 1909-1939, 1915-01-13
Interesting News of the
Week From Washington

The two events of greatest in
terest during the past week were
the Jackson Day speech of Presi-
dent Wilson, at Indianapolis, and
Great Britians answer to the re-
cent note protesting against inter-
ference with American shipping.
A speech from a President always
commands great interest, but this
last public utterance Of the Chief
Executive has elected more than
ordinary attention and has been
variously received. The indica-
ton that it is to 0e regarded as a
virtual announcement of an inten-
ton to be a candidate for re-elec-
ton in 1916 has given it added in
terest. The proposition to estab-
lish a Federal employment bureau
has caused quite a little discussion
as it is a new and untried thing in
governmental affairs. The an
nouncement that the recent bill,
establishing the Federal Trade
Commission, contained clause,
comforting to the already wide
scope of authority of that body,
power to act as a tariff commits
sion, created much surprise as it
was the first time public attention
has been called to this fact.
A preliminary reply from Great
Britain to our note of protest has
been received by the State De-
partment, and it indicates the re-
ception of the note in good spirit
and a desire on the part of Eng
land to meet the issue fairly and
frankly. The condition requiring
search for contraband on our
ships is deplored and the princi-
pies set forth in our note are ad-.
mitted to be sound, but they seek
justification Of their course by at
tempting to show that the trade
of the U. S. has not suffered ma
terially and the. coneealing of con-
traband by some American ship
pers has practically made it neces-
sary to suspect all cargoes. It
will probably require considerable
correspondence before the matter
is satisfactorily adjusted, Secre-
tary Bryan, in commenting, said.
This answer being preliminary
and not being intended as COM
plete reply, we will postpone COM
ment until the full answer is re-
ceived."
The ship purchase bill, providing
for the establishment of govern
ment corporation to aid ocean
transportation, is having a stormy
time in the Senate. This is one of
the measures on the administra-
ton program slated for passage.
Republicans have openly stated
that the bill shall mot pass and
their tactics have already been
characterized by the Democrats as
a filibuster. This charge, of
conrse, is denied but it may be the
means of bringing on night ses-
sions at,an early date. The Pub
4ic Lands Committee is ready to
report a water power site leasing
bill, and are now considering the
best method to open up the min
eral resources. Hearings are still
under way on the Jones bill,
granting greater independence to
the Filipinos and a favorable re-
port will probably be made soon.
Mr.. w. Morgrn Suster, formerly
financial advisor of Persia, and
thoroughly familiar with condi-
tions in the Orient, expressed the
opinion that the islands would be
safe from interference at the
hands of any foreign nation when
the U. S. relinquished their hold.
The House was a scene Of some
very stirring oratory when the
woman suffrage amendment was
considered, rivaling in spirit the
efforts to pass the prohibition res
olution. The amendment was de-
feated, as it was generally conced-