River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1917-06-14
Washington Letter
(By James A. Frear, NJ. CO.
Washington, D. c., June II, 1917

state to make returns on the regis
tretion to Provost Marshal General
CroWder. Before noon of June g, the
Badger state had wired in it's official
figures" A leading New York paper
contained the further statement "com-
plete figures for Wisconsin received at
War department today showed that
state to have exceeded the census es-
innate by $4,000 names or per cent.
The total state registration was 245,-
.758 against an estimate of 229,597.
The only reason for mentioning this
Eastern publicity is to show that Wis
consin was not only first to report but
also one of the few states that will
furnish more than it's estimated quota.
When the CONSUMPTION bill was before
the House, the writer predicted on the
floor that whether the volunteer sys-
tenn or conscription was adopted, Wis
consin would be among the first to re-
spond. On that same occasion a state
n ent was read from Col. Holway that
our state had already enlisted more
men in proportion to it's population
than any other state in the Union and
further that 1000 members Of the
National Guard alone were already
enlisted from Wisconsin. Gov Phillips
kilograms that the old Badger state
would respond as Loyalty as in 1861
was also read and all these predictions
have been verified.
Disclosures of improper conditions
in public affairs do not imply that con-
%hav IS q
familiar saying that the most dan
gerous thing in public affairs is for
men with responsibilities to shirk dis
agreeable duties. With the war come
many selfish interests looking for un-
due profits from the war and public in
terests have to be guarded. During
the Spanish American War the scan
dals growing out of canned beef and
other contracts were given widespread
publicity with wholesome effect. This
Administration has already met the
same situation squarely and has
served notice on those seeking to profit
through fraud that such attempts will
be exposed and blocked. One of the
first exposures comes in connection
with contracts for building canton
ments for the use of troops. In one
case a contractor who was legally en-
titled to make fixed percentage profit
on the amount involved, worked the
Government in the following ingen-
ious manner: Lumber worth $50 per
thousand feet was bought at $50 per
thousand. Laborers worth 81 were paid
81 day and by thus doubling the
total amount involved, in contracts not
let by competitive bids, the proportion
ate profit was increased. 1t is alleged
that secret agreements for dividing
excess profits on material and labor
were also involved. Congressman Fitz-
gerald, Chairman of the Appropria-
tions Committee first learned of the
proposed system and brought it to the
attention of the Administration with
the result that such frauds will start
out with black eye.
During the past few days the River
and Harbor Bill has occupied the at
tention of the House. The writer's
own opinion on such bills has been fire.
Quently expressed on the floor of the
House and in these letters. | will not
predict what may happen to the pres
ent measure but can repeat that from
the defeat or notifications secured on
the 1914 and 1915 bills, and the 1917
short session river and harbor bill of
like character first attacked in the
House and finally defeated in the Sem
ate, over one hundred millions of dol
lars have been saved to the tax payers
of the country without injury to any
single legitimate public function of
Government This statement was made
last week in debate and is believed to
be correct. One hundred and twenty
votes were cast against taking up the
bill for consideration. This is progress
whatever may be the controlling mo-
tive of members in casting their votes
or whatever may be the final result.
Legitimate waterway needs are fav-
ored but this bill is like its predeces-
SOrS-waSteful.
The last of the Confederate soldiers
have left the city. Several thousand
were in the line of march and for the
first time in their lives reached Wash
ington, the city which they tried to
WISH repeatedly during the civil war.
Union troops were stationed at con-
venient points to prevent any such Wis
its back in war days, but it is fact
generally known that Confederate cav
airy held skirmish battles with Union
troops less than six miles from the
city on the Maryland side. A large
stone marks the place where Lincoln
stood whom UioxUino Tho haft1a which
was waged half mile distant. Last
week the Confederates were clad in
the old time gray and here and there
a Confederate battle flag was to be
seen but feature of the parade never
to be forgotten was the appearance of
a small edition of the Stars and
Gt,.iroc In tho hn,,d &c oxro,.x- ..ol,ol x-ot-