Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-12-20
Democratic Delegated Legislation

and brother-in-law to Senator Under
wood Of tariff notoriety, has drawn up
the shipping bill, which meets with the
approval Of a number OF Democratic
legislators. and which will be intro
duced in Congress. This announce
ment Of the drafting of the legislative
measure by an administrative Office
holder brings to mind the fact that
nearly. if not quite, all the important
legislative program Of the last Demo-
cratic Congress was initiated outside
Of that body.
When that provision Of the Federal
Constitution was framed which de-
clared against the delegation of legis-
lation by Congress, it was the idea OF
the fathers that while. legislation
should reflect the popular will. it
should originate in Congress, and be
threshed out in that body. But the
supineness of the majority Of the Dem
ocratic members of the national legis-
lative BODY has resulted in the deliv-
cry Of its legislative functions largely
to outside interests. y bill is drafted
by some one, ambitious Of pocketbook
or popularity: it is referred to the ap-
propriate committee where 1t is
scanned carefully to see what its po-
litical effect will be. If it passes the
political censorship of the committee,
it is reported to the House, where i,
passes through a stuffed club gauntlet
Of debate. goes to the Senate, and il
politically advisable it is ultimately
pitchfnrkeG onto the public.
Many familiar with the present leg
islative mazes in Washington belleVe
chat the Underwood tariff law was
franco 10y a number Of importers of
foreign products, The free wool pro-
vision was Mr.. Brian's handiWork and
the free sugar idea. on which the DEM
ocratS are row backing down, was at
trbutable in the main, 10 the intran-
sigieant Woodrow who evidently took
his advices from the seaboard sugar
r.tiners According to the sworn tes-
timony Of these refiners they desired
Of business. and but for the large
Treasury deficit, they would haNf sue
ceeded
When the currency bill came up. DR..
II. Parker Willis, college professor and
financial theorist, was called on to
frame the measure. DR.. Willis played
a double salary rcIl, drawing salary
from the ways and means committee,
for his free trade advice, and from the
banking and currency committee at
the same time. Republican amend
ments to the bill, which made it work.
able were forced into it in the Senate.
Willis was rewarded for his efforts by
being appointed secretary to the fed
eral reserve board. The Clayton anti
trust law IS laid at the door Of Samuel
Gomucrs. president of the American
Federation OF Labor. y lawyer, George
Rublon is said to have been response
bic for many of the features of the
Federal Trade Commission law. His
industry was rewarded by his appoint
,nent as a member Of that commission.
The anti-narcotic laws originated with
Or Hamilton Wright Of the State De-
rartment. self-appointed delegate to
the European opium congress. The
coal and oil leasing law was written,
in fun, By Secretary Of Interior Lane
after consultation with California oil
men. Not a line was changed in the
House Criticisms of the bill We're re-
felwed TO an employee of the Interior
Department, assigned by Lane to act
in an advisory capacity to the COM
mittee on public lands. which reported
the bill. What he said went. The au-
thorship Of the ship purchase bill.
which went on the rocks last year,
but which has heen salvaged and re
paired for the consideration of this
Congress- las been credited to Bernard
Baker of Baltimore. president of the
Atlantic and Pacific Transport Com
pany. Recently Mr.. Baker made pub
lie an announcement that the intention
of the sponsors of that bill had been
to purchase the ships of the Interpa-
tional Mercantile Marine Company. in
case the bill became a law.
Credit for the features of these bills
(and that credit is of decidedly shady
character) should go to the special in
tcrests which the Democrats have de-
nounced on the stump. 1t is apparent
that the Democratic Congress has
wholly abrogated the legislative func-
lions of that body. 1t is confession
of legislative inaptitude.
How we shall miss the Congressional
Record during the recess.