Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1916-03-10
RULED BY POLITICS
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS FlGH J
OVER SETTLEMENT OF BIG
PROBLEMS.
LEGISLATION is HAMPERED
Bill for Government Ownership OF
Merchant Marine, Materially
Changed, May Be Fassed-Plans Tor
Raising Revenue Still Undecided.
a. GEORGE cLINToN.

BY GEORGE CLINTON.
Washington. and leglsia-
ton still are moving together through
the halls of congress, stopping every
few feet, metaphorically speaking at
any rate, for fist fight. Heat, rancor'
our old friends elimination and re-
elimination, and the stand-bys con-
tention and abuse, still are present
Here is a program of the things
which the members of both parties
will wrangle over before the winter IS
done, or now are wrangling over, as
the case may be:
National defense.
New taxation measures.
The government ownership of mer-
chant marine
independence for the Filipinos.
The seaman's law and attempts to
change or repeal it.
Child labor.
The appropriations.
Prohibition and woman suffrage
amendments to the constitution.
Prohibition for the District OF Co
1umbia.
The Colombian and Haitian treaties.
Some of these things. as lit will be
seen, already are up for discussion
OF course the matter of rational de-
Tense is foremost and it has been gain
ing interest and acrimoIy from the
fact that both on the Democratic and
Republican sides there is to be found
a considerable number of stanch OPP
ponents of anything like preparedness.
The bill giving definite promise of
independence to the Philippine islands
at a certain date already has been dis
cussed at considerable length in the
senate and to some extent in the
house 1t will catse more discussion
and many hours Iof debate heated by
friction before itEfnally is disposed OF.
The pronounceBent of the Republi-
cans in New York that it is the sense
of the party that it would be an in
justice to the Filipinos, and also a
cowardIy act on the part of the United
States, to turn them loose to care for
themselves Iat too early a date, has
made the island question figure more
largely ingthe public eye than other
wise would have been the case.
Shipping Bill Much Changed.
The bill providing for the govern
ment ownership of merchant marine
will be debated at great length. AL
ready some murmurs and some ap-
plause concerning it are being heard
in the two houses of congress. 1t will
be remembered that last year mer-
chant marine bill was passed by the
house of representatives, but met it's
fate in the senate, where it was talked
to death The measure this year is
in much changed form. 1t provides
an appropriation of about $50,000,000
for the building or purchase of ships
to be owned, of course, by the govern
ment, but to be leased to pri ate par
ties.
One of the chief objections entered
by the opponents of the shipping bill
of last year was that under its terms
the government could and probably
intended to Cat least so it was charged
purchase merchant vessels belonging
to a belligerent European power and
which then were and still are tied up
IN American harbors, not being able to
put to sea for fear of capture.
Last year there was denial from
government quarters that there was
any intention of purchasing these
ships. Many men hold that it would
be an unneutral act for the United
provisions of the bill this year the
purchase of such ships still might be
possible but it is understood to be the
governments intention, if the measure
goes through, to spend virtually all
the money in the building of merchant
war as fleet auxiliaries.
The ruling majority in the house of
representatives as yet does not know
what form of revenue raising meas
ures it will report for adoption Even
while things are still in doubt as to
the extent Of the preparedness pro-
gram which will be adopted, it virtu-
ally is known that something Will be
done and that the army and navy ex-
penses of the government largely will
be increased. Therefore it will be nee
essary to raise money to pay the bills.
immigration Bill Again.
New immigration bills containing a
clause which, if enacted into law, will
prevent the landing on these shores
of foreigners who cannot read have
been introduced into house md SEN
ate. The senate measure is fatLered
by Senator Ellison D. Smith of South
Carolina, and the house measure by
Representative John L. Brunette of
A sbama.
This bill unquestionably will pass
the senate and almost unquestionably