The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1916-09-06

q " 6kN0 Watp
Grave Doubt as TO Whether Thsse
ellis Will Stand the Tes, Of the
Court.
BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.
Washington, Sept. 6.-tSpecial l-All
important legislation. involving the
power OF congress TO control various
fea lures OF interstate commerce d
the clause In the constitution giving
congress authority to regulate com
merce between the states, finds its
way TO the supreme court for final set
tlment. The lottery law, the interstate
commission law and a score OF other
important laws have finally been de-
termined in the court OF last resort.
Ii il expected that legislation affect
ing the hours of labor will also finally
be determined by that court, just as
will the law relating TO child labor and
other such measures.
A Liberal constructionist.
The supreme court has always been
liberal I'm its construction of the grant
Of powers under the interstate com
merce clause. There seems 10 be no
doubt now. especially If the child la
Dor law should be held constitutional.
that congress may not only regulate
the hours Of labor on interstate car
riers. but will also be empowered to
fix the wage scale and do everything
that congress may desire TO do with
those carriers that conduct Interstate
commerce.
4 great many lawyers have express
ed grave doubt whether a law fixing
the hours of labor on interstate lines
will stand the test OF the courts. but
others say it will.
Postponed For a Year.
The annual fight over the manner In
which the expenses OF the District of
Columbia shall be paid has ended for
this year, or, rather. has been post.
poned one year. When the next appro-
priation bin is brought forward the
house will try to eoerce the senate into
a%bolishing the half-and-half plan which
has been i'm effect since 1878. 1t will
be the same fight over again. and the
house will end by surrendering. as ii
has always done.
Fitz Cleaned His Desk.
Chairman Fitzgerald having the last
appropriation bin In charge, went TO
the desk occupied by members with
important legislation just as the house
IAw... t. maAsAa II a,afsAI 81 ehN
desk In disgust and then took his hand.
kerchief and began to clean. When
his own handkerchief was soiled he
borrowed one from a member and con
tinued TO clean.
why not ring In a deficiency appro-
priation to pay some one for cleaning
that deskg' the New York congress
man was asked.
Others stood about and offered sug
gestions. "Why not abandon that ice
he was asked.
Suppose you fellows mind your own
business" retorted Fitz.
you're Another"
Since Mexico was made a political
issue the Democrats have begun TO re.
%taliate. Quite a number have dug into
the records and have found hat for
two years during Taft's administration
the situation In Mexico was nearly the
same as IL has beer during Wilson's
administration. You're another is
quite frequently heard in politics as
well as In other walks Of life.
Two Divergent Views.
The railroad employees ought TO
give us a chance TO act" remarked
Senator Reed OF Missouri during the
strike debate.
These employees should not come to
us with a threat" was the assertion
Of Senator Nelson of Minnesota.
Tabs on Time.
Senator Owen of Oklahoma was In.
Weighing against the rule which allow.
ed the minority to use unlimited de-
bate as a club to coerce the majority
and delay legislation.
The record will show" interjected
Borah or Idaho, that during the last
ninety days of six hours spent In de
bate four haSe been consumed on the
Democratic side"
Senator Reed of Missouri demurred
to that statement. II have been away
some Of the time" he said. but when
| was here | have heard an awful lot
OF long talk on the Republican side
OF this house"
Didn't Like the Inference.
Senator Stone of Missouri was about
TO deliver another lecture to Demo.
cratic senators, or a few OF them, who
did not stand firm and true for the
caucus. This time 1t was Oscar I'm
derwood who was to catch IL. AS
Stone arose several senators called out,
"Vote. voter meaning hat they did
not want to hear any more talk. Stone
did not like the inference, and he 'lit