River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1916-01-13
WASHINGTON LETTER
From Hon. James a. Frear, 10th District

POAA IAAO44 4OOA4I W WOIh
the holiday vacation, the members
OF both houses plunged into the ques-
ton OF preparedness. Congressman
Gardner of Massachusetts, who leads
the extreme naval and military pro-
gram, has occupied the floor with
several addresses. At this writing it
does not look as though there would
be any defense bill passed on politi-
cal lines but the action Of individual
members will be based upon the kind
OF bill which is finally presented for
approval after opportunity to amend
if necessary in any needed particu-
lars.
Members are constantly Emporium
ed to support or oppose some one or
more Of ten thousand bills on the av-
erage, which are introduced during
each session. When bill goes thru
the House with amendments it fire.
quently bears slight resemblance to
it's original character, but this is not
usually understood by those who
urge its passage or defeat sometimes
long before the bills presentation to
either House from the committee.
The waterpower bill No. 4O8 was
debated in the House during the
week. Under our superannuated
system of legislation, all WATERFOWL
ersFon government lands located on
navigable rivers running through
different states, must be SUBJECT to
specific legislative acts. The same
powers on navigable rivers within a
single state are authorized by the
Secretary Of War, who acts on the
report of army engineers. Water
powers on forest reserve lands are
under the control Of the Secretary of
Agriculture and Secretary of the
Interior, while the same power on
government lands on unnavigable
rivers is placed in the hands Of the
Secretary Of the Interior.
A promising field is open to anyone
who can combine the administration
into one head with proper Congress-
ional supervision, so as to fix respon-
sibility and give adequate and reas-
enable and protection to the inter
ests of the government and those
dealing with it.
The Ferris bill relates to water
powers on unnavigable rivers and
permits leases by the government for
fifty years with privileges of re-
leasing. One fact developed in the
argument that may be of interest is
that the waterpowers on private and
public lands, developed and undevel-
oped, are between a minimum horse
power of 27, 945, 900, and maxium
of 53,905,000 capacity, while only
100000 horse power has thus far
been developed. It was also stated
in debate on the bill that new inven-
tons make possible the conveyance
of power for distances Of ], 900 miles,
whereas the present limit is about
one quarter of that distance.
An amendment to the postal saw
ings bank law passed the House dur
ing Thursday which enlarges the
amount that can be placed on depos-
it with the government to $4,000,
but interest on 81 900 only is allowed
and the government remains custod-
ian Of the additional amount. By
this amendment it was contended
money boarded away in old stockings
will again be brought into active cir
culation.
Congressman Lenroot and Stafford
were notably engaged in forensic
work during the past week, Lenroot
as ranking republican on the Public
Lands committee which had charge
of the Ferris waterpower bill, and
Stafford, who made strong defense
of the German American citizen, in
reply to sweeping statements Of
Gardner Of Massachusetts. Nick
Longworth, son-in-law Of Ex-Presid-
ent Roosevelt, also joined with Stat
ford in regulating sentiments ex-
pressed by Gardner. An especially
good suggestion by Stafford was Of
fered when he said that this is a time
in the affairs Of the country when
men should weigh well their utter