New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-07
PORK A POLITICAL FALLACY
Testimony from a Congressman
Who Has Tested It.
Editor OF The Tribune.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: My attention has been called to your
editorial of February q.
When a member OF Congress thinks that
his constituents want him 10 bring back
pork" he is wrong. judging from my ex-
perience.
There was introduced in the Senate bill
for public building for my home town,
Hancock, Mich. 1t was stated in the press
that it was presumed that similar bi!l
would be introduced in the House. Writing
home, stated that did not intend 20 intro
duce any such bill at this session, and fur
ther before thinking Of introducing any bill
for pablo building in my district, would
first, ask the Department OF the Treasury
whether the town was entitled TO any &C
cording 10 the receipts from the postof'ice,
and secondly, judging from the receipts, how
much money would the government be war
ranted in spending on public building.
further stated that the fact that the pro
posed building was 10 be built IN my home
town Of Hancock did not change my opinion
as to the proper course. Not a single per
son, not single paper criticised my posi-
ton. Those of my home town that wrote
me said that my stand was absolutely cor
rect.
Fort Brady is located at Sault Ste. Marie,
in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. They
wished TO have the fort made into a regi-
mental post. II was suggested that | take
the matter up with the other members OF
Michigan and work for the common good"
etc. In answering | wrote that, from what
had read, was of the opinion that there
were many useless army posts and navy
yards My personal opinion was that the
most competent army and naval committee
should be appointed 20 investigate the mat
ter and report which of the useless army
posts and naval yards should be abandoned,
and further. If the committee recommended
that Fort Brady be abandoned, the fact that
lived in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan
would not change my vote on the matter.
Not a single person, nor single paper, as
far as ] know, criticised my statement, but
many people and practically every paper In
dorsed what said.
Your editorial stated my position on tho
pension matter. This position was stated IA
practically every paper in my district. As
stated on the floor Of the House. not a
single person in my district asked me TO vote
for the bill-after stating my reasons sew
eral weeks ago as 70 why was against the
bill and not single person in my district,
not a Spanish War veteran in my district,
has written to me condemning mo for my
stand. Practically every paper Endorsed my
stand, and many comrades and many citizens
from my district have written TO me indors-
ing my stand.
Some time ago Congressman Shackleford
introduced "A bill for S25,000000 for roads,
which bill has passed the House. In listen
ing 70 the debate and hearing several gentle
men argue that the bill should be passed in
the interest OF national defence" IL seemed
10 me that was not the real reason, but
pork" was the real reason, and therefore, /
voted against the bill. Ny district believes
in good roads We have many OF them there
and so do I. but we do not believe in pork"
Not a person wrote me con1emning me, but
many wrote commencing me.
In voting this way | am entitled TO no
particular credit and ask for none. Ny
reason for writing you is only TO show thst
congressman are wrong when they think the
people back home" want you TO bring back
the pork" The 10Th District of Michigan
is composed of the same kind Of people as
tho average district, | believe. II the people
OF the 10Th District are anxious to have their
Representative bring back pork" they have
concealed their wishes from him.
W. FRANK JAMES.
House OF Representatives, Washington, D..
c., March ., 1916.