The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-05-31
BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.

lhelr Notes-House Flatly REFUSES
TO Tax Farm Products.
BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.
Washington, May 31.-tSpecial. In
combining the legislation of the present
session to war needs congress has re
lieved a large part of the membership
OF both houses from committee work.
But even with the Limitation there are
quite a number OF committees ut work
on war measures.
OF course the military and naval
committees have much to do. Then
there are the revenue raising com
mittees, the appropriation committees,
the agricultural committees, the foreign
committees. and, on account of the es-
pionage bill, the judiciary committees
have had legislation to consider.
Naturally this fact narrows the activ-
tiles of congress to a few men, more
noticeable In the senate than In the
house. No man In the house could
serve on two of the committees men
toned. but In the senate, where every
man ECLS hLA AC Nuiit u = AOuAiu lLdN u
man may be serving on three more Of
these important committees.
Have Been Giving Attention.
Perhaps the lack Of committee work
has enabled more members to give at
tention to the legislation that is consid-
cred I'm both houses. At least 1t has
been observed when important votes
are taken there is a good attendance
even III It does dwindle when there are
long winded speeches. There has been
a great deal of what is called "legiti-
mate debate"-that Is, talk back and
forth between men who are seeking and
giving information. The long talker
gets no audience, even IL speaking on
war measures.
Noting the fact that few senator's
were present one day Senator McCum-
Der of North Dakota said. These chairs
may have ears, but they have no votes,
and as we are about to vote / call for
a quorum"
Cotton 10 King"
The house refused to allow a cotton
tax amendment, knocking it M on a
point of order. But it would have
been beaten on a straight vote, for the
members of the house have no DISPOSE
ton to tax farm products. no matter
how badly revenue is needed. OF
course the southern men We're against
the cotton tax, and they We're support
ed by many men from the north who
did not van to start anything of that
kind.
Like a National Convention.
The hotels in Washington have re
sembled a national convention during
the past few weeks. They have all
been crowded with men who are inter
ested In the pending legislation and IN
matters going on in the various de
partments In relation to the war. 1t Is
expected that Washington VIII be filled
with people even during the heated
term, for as long as the war lasts the
national capital will be the center of
interest. and many people will have to
come here to transact business with
the government.
Not "Purely Educational"
Late one evening the house was dis.
GUESSING whether the tax on amuse
ments should include certain lecturers.
and the claim was made that lecturing
was educational. Then up rose Uncle
Joe Cannon and told Of IA lecturer who
had spoken In a western state. HE
attacked this political party and that
political party" said our venerable un-
Gle, and this individual and that in
dividual, and when he got through he
finished up his lecture by advocating
the German policy that obtained In
some portions of Germany OF trial mar
riages. Is that what is called educa-
tionalT'
Condition of the Camps.
Those officers who remember the Sc
we're criticisms which were made of
different military camps during the
Spanish war do not intend to have any
thing Of the kind during the war of
1917. There will not be as much free
dom for people to come and go as
there IA nineteen years ago, nor will
the soldier boys be allowed quite as
much freedom with tongue and with
pen.
The military authorities believe that
there is o tendency TO hysteria In the
matter OF such things, and 1t has al
ways been claimed that a great deal of
exaggeration was used In describing
conditions In military camps.
Fordney's Warning.
Congressman Fordney has some hui
man feelings, although those who have