River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1915-01-07
WASHINGTON LETTER
From James A. FreaF, MsmheF Of Congress,
10th District.

A nation at peace with the whole
world is engaged in supplying the
warning countries of Europe wit
powder, shell and munitions Of war.
That is the occasion for resolution
introduced by representative Tan
ner of Iowa, wherein the President
is given power to prevent the expor-
tation Of coutrar and goods from
this country.
During the@Spanish American
war similar authority was given
President Mckinley but no one now
has authority to prevent the manu-
according 10 the statement made to
me personally by Judge Towner,
the Schwab and other great machine
and powder works are working over
time, on contracts with European
nations. These goods are shipped
across the Canadian border and by
vessels direct to the country pur-
chasing Of course, if a war vessel
of an opposing nation finds thu
goods, it has q right to seize them
and to sink the ship if it contains q
eontraband cargo Protests from
the Allies, who do not control the
sea, are of no value unless lower is
vested with some one who can pre-
vent such shipments and that is the
purpose of the Tanner resolution.
Along the same line is the protest
by this government against b e
seizures of American vessels for the
purpose of examining cargoeS for
contraband goods When our manu-.
Gacturers are permitted to s b ipl
goods in any form without restric
ton it is hard for us as a nation, by
the nations interested in preventing
their use by an enemy. To use the
words Of a caustic writer, 1T is
well not to carry a chip on each
shoulder, particularly when We have
both arms in a sling -referring to
the weakness of oar army and navy.
Congressman Cooper of Wiscon
sin was given credit by Representa-
tive Quezon of the Philippines, at
. recent public meeting, for the
present advanced condition of his
people. Quezon explained b t
Cooper, when chairman of the Insu-
lar Affairs committee, had done
much to fashion the policy of gov
eminent for the Islands. BY the
death of Serene E. Payne of New
York, Cooper now becomes the old
est Republican Congressman ! n
point of continuous service, having
represented his district in Congress
since March 4, 1898, nearly % years
ago. Representative w. A. Jones,
Democrat, of Virginia, pres sen
chairman of the Insular committee,
Is the oldest member in continuous
service. He took his seat in 1901
during the FiftY-second Congress.
The writer was placed on the Insu-
lar Affairs committee IN place of
Congressman Morse of Wisconsin,
whose district was changed two
years ago. The work has to do pri-
marily with the islands now con-
trolled or owned by this govern
ment.
One of the brightest Representa-
tives and most eloquent speakers in
the House is Manuel Quezou, who
comes from the Philippines. He
was elected in 1909 and recently
teld me that when he came to this
country he could not talk the Eng
lish language. Now he speaks flu
emily, and what is more to the
point LAS IOWASs
The appointment of Joseph
Davies. now Commissioner of Cor
porations, on the Federal Trades
Commission, has been determined
by President Wilson, according to
press reports. Davies will probably
be chairman of this important com
mission. When the writer was in
Madison, Davies was little known
10 politics but was a popular man,
in the same law firm with John Ally
ward. BY a fortunate stroke of
politics he became associated with