Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1916-07-21
W. |. LA TOILETTE
WRITES OF WORK
Says He Intends to Remain on His
job at Washington Until Con-
gress Adjourns

The following communication
from Congressman LaFollette is
self explanatory and deserves care
full considerations:
Editor Herald:
am announcing myself as a can
ddate for reelection to the office Of
Representative in Congress for the
Fourth District Of Washington, and
desire TO make the following state
ment in regard to my candidacy:
/ shall at the end OF the present
congress have served three terms,
two terms as congressman from the
Third district and one term for the
new Fourth district l have tried
! faithfully to represent my constitu-
ents since ! have been a member of
! the house of representatives. | am
human and no more immune from
the making of mistakes than the
general average of mankind: but it
is source of some pride to me that
I have received but few reproaches
from and by individuals since l have
been member of congress, and not
great many through the medium
of the press.
There have been many momentOus
questions before the congress of the
United States since ! have been a
member. possibly of equal import
ance to any that ever confronted pre-
yious congresses. We had "Canad-
ian reciprocity" the farmers free
list bill" parcel post, revision of
/ the monetary system the "immi-
grafton bill" the Underwood tariff
/ bill governing of the canal zone"
including free tolls for American
shipping" authority for using
armed force in Mexico" extension
! of post roads government ship
ping bill" repeal of free tolls for
the Panama canal rural credits, ="
and many other legislative questions
of vast importance, many of which
were acted on several times before
being enacted into law or receiving
final defeat
Some of the measures mentioned
above yet remain unsettled. In addi-
tion to these we have all the vast ap-
preparation bills to pass each con-
! gress- carrying millions of dollars
! which dollars have to be paid by tax
! ing our people directly or indirectly,
and each member Of congress should
/ iamiliarize himself with the legiaa-
/ tion and be prepared to show objec-
/ ton to unWise expenditure and TO
/ lend assistance where the public in
terest justifies the expenditures /
/ am willing to put my record for
/ close attention to business against
/ that of any other member of the
/ American congress- think the rec
ord of votes will show this to be no
idle staten ent. | do not wish it to
be understood that ! claim TO have
occupied the floor in the delivery of
speeches or in attempting TO show
members of longer service than my
own, my skill in debate, and 90 i'm
press the public with any versatility.
That does not lend any assistance to
. Z Oielo nd h,
ber's usefulness unless he ,et'!y mas
something of moment to offer.
have always gone on the prin-
ciple, and still believe l am right,
that he who talks the least in con-
gress usually serves his country best
have been here more than five
years and have had no reason for
changing that opinion.
The reaI work is done in commit
tee. The printed reports Of commit
tees give the members the inGorma-
ton they need and desire concerning
any bill up for passage. Talk on the
floor is mostly for home consump-
ton and for the public digest, and
but few votes are made or changed
by debates on the floor.
1t costs the American people some
100000 per day to pay all the ex-
penses of the congress, including sal,
aries, which, of course, are fixed
charges. 1t is safe to say that each
minute of time consumed Ey mem
her costs the government $35. Al
the price | think we need more
workers and fewer takers for the
, real good of the government
This calculation covers 10 hour.
per day. Five hours per day fol
committee and routine work and five