Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1916-03-10
RULED BY POLITICS
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS FIGHT
OVER SETTLEMENT OF BIG
PROBLEMS.
LEGISLATION is HAMpEREO
1In Cor Government Ownership Of
Merchant Marine, Materially
Changed, May Be Passed-PIans for
Raising Revenue still Undecided.
nx GEORGE CLINTON.

Wnshington.-Polltlcs and legisla-
esun still are moving together through
ths halls OF congress. stopping every
fsw feet. metaphorically speaking at
any rate. for fist tight Heat. rancor,
uur old friends elimination and re-
urtmination. and the stand-bys. con-
fsntson and abuse. still are present.
Here IL a program OF the things
Which the members OF both parties
wffl wrangie over before the winter is
ADne. or now are wrangling over, as
fhs 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
ehange or repeal It.
child labor.
The appropriations.
Prohibition and woman suffrage
amendments to the constitution.
Prohibition for the District of Co
Rumbia-
The Colombian and Haitian treaties.
Some OF these things, as It will be
seen. already are up for discussion.
or course the matter of national de-
f9nso In foremost and 1t has been gain
ing interest and acrimony from the
inst that both on the Democratic and
Rapablican sides there is to be found
n considerable number Of stanch op-
ponsnts OF anything like preparedness.
The bin giving a definite promise of
andepondence to the Philippine islands
mf certain date already mas been dis
russed at considerable length in the
Benats and to some extent in tie
kpmss. II will cause more discussion
md many hours of debate heated by
friction before II finally is disposed of.
Ths pronouncement Of the Repuhif-
nnnn In New York that It is the sense
- the party that IL would be an in
3nstice to the FiIipinos. and also
nUwardly act on the part of the United
States. to turn them loose to care for
themselves at too early a date, has
made the island question figure more
largely In the public eye than other
wisn would have been the case.
shipping Bill Much Changed.
The bin providing for the govern
zsHnt ownership of merchant marine
wfll be debated at great length. AL
rNAdy some murmurs and some ap-
pkause concerning IT are being heard
IN the two houses OF congress. 1t will
he remembered that last year q mer.
Ebsnt marine bill was passed bv the
house Of representatives, but met its
fate IN the senate. where It was talked
% death. The measure this year Is
IN q much changed form. It provides
an appropriation of about $4,000 900
ror the building OF purchase Of ships
- be owned. Of cour3e, by the govern
nnent, but % be leased to private par
Elss. -.
One OF the chief objections entered
by the opponents of the shipping bill
u last year was that under its terms
the government could and probably
Intended TO Cat least so It was charged)
wurchase merchant vessels belonging
30 q belliSerent European power and
which then were and still are tied up
IN american harbors. not being able to
put 60 sea for fear OF capture.
Last year there was denial from
government quarters that there was
any intention of purchasing these
shaps Many men hold that IL would
hs an unneutral act for the United
States to buy the vessels. Under the
provisions Of the bill this year the
purchase Of such ships still might be
possible, but II Is understood to be the
governments intention. II the measure
rDes through. TO spend virtually all
the money in the building of merchant
vessels which can be used in time of
war as feet auxiliaries.
The ruling majority in the house of
representatives as yet does not know
what form Of revenue raising meas
mrBs II 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
40no and that the army and navy ex.
penses OF the government largely will
DO increased. Therefore 1t will be nee
essary to raise money to pay the bills
immigration Bill Again.
New immigration bills containing ,
clause which, II enacted into law, will
prevent the landing on these shore,
OF foreigners who cannot read hav,
been introduced into house and sen
ate The senate measure is fathere,
by Senator Ellison d. Smith of Soutl
Carolina. and the house measure b,
Representative John L. Burnette O
Asbama-
This bill unquestionably will pas
The senate and almost unquestionabl
VIII pass the house of Representatives
The question therefore is whether O
not President Wilson again will vet
the measure. Last year the bill wen
through both houses with big major
ties back Of II, but the house, after
lard fight, refused to pass the bill owe
tho veto Of the president, the measur
smiling of the required two-thirds m;
1Ority by only a small margin.
When this immigration measur
comes up for debate there will be liv,
~ hours In both houses. The Amer
san Federation of Labor strongly su,
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