Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-12-22

Addition Other Investigations Encourages Gragos-
sian, Inventor of a New Species of Force
Special Correspondence Of the Ercring PUB
lie Ledger

Special Correspondence Of the Erering Pub
lie Ledger
WASHINGTON, Dec. 81.
TT MAY not be patriotic to say that con-
Illusion reigns in certain departments having
to do with the war. but many observers are
inclined TO believe that statement is true.
Uncertainty prevails even in Congress as TO
what the future may bring forth Money
for war was appropriated so lavishly at the
last session OF Congress as to invite much of
the trouble that is now brewing. Congress
has already begun several Investigations, no.
tably in the Army and Navy Departments,
and II can be set down as a sure thing that
the Shipping Board. which has had brief
but exciting career, will come in for a
searching inquiry.
Congress wants to know why the war has
not been prosecuted with more diligence, and
the departments will undoubtedly be called
upon to give up much of their valuable
time TO explain. 1t was the understanding
at the last session that only war business
would be transacted and everything was
made to give way to war appropriation bills.
This session. we are told, will be devoted to
war business If it can be held down to
that but already, in addition to Investigations
into war transactions. a variety of new legs.
laton Is making it's appearance. including the
demand of the Federal Farm Loan Board for
$500. .O00,0 900 to finance the operations OF this
experimental institution, which was expected
IN tne beginning 10 ltSell tIrOuGu
manipulation of loans to farmers.
The Senate passed this extraordinary meas.
ure reducing the amount to be taken out
of the Treasury to 500 900 900. but n fili.
buster in the House In the closing hours of
the day on which the recess was taken pre-
vented final action thereon. 1t Is decreed,
however, that the bill shall have immediate
consideration when Congress resumes after
the holidays and that all opposition to it
will be overcome. The difficulty about
bill of this kind is that while II looks like
deliberate draft upon public funds to
aid certain sections of the country, 1t is by no
means a partisan measure. since 1t commands
support from Republican members as well
as from Democrats who come from country
districts
1t is not clear how the withdrawal out
of the public treasury of $500 900 or
500 900 from war funds to negotiate
farm mortgages is vital war measure. but
such it is held to be. To meet this objection
the bill will probably be SO amended to
provide in some way that production" shall
be encouraged on the farm where the loan is
negotiated. That will bring it within the
terms of war.
Congress does peculiar things at times
Some of it's enthusiastic leaders indulged
in patriotic paroxysms few days ago over
an unrevealed discovery of a man named
Giragossian. who seems to have completely
mesmerized the membership of the Patents
and Rules Committees of the House. It
was said for Giragossian that III he had
what he said he had," which was all the evi.
dence produced before Congress. then he
would be indeed ''the worlds greatest bene-
facUr." What Giragossian told his devoted
supporters was that he had discovered q new
force--not a Keeley motor, no-but new
source of energy which. If he could go into
partnership with the Government to develop
it, would enable him to put our army and
navy in position to end the war
1t was a weird sort of proposition ard very
unusual, since inventors and discoverers are
| numerous in Washington; /; but the bill passed
| the House, Notwithstanding the President
| himself had failed to sign similar bill at the
| close of the last session. The advantage
which this special law would give this un-
known but apparently influential dscsverer
would be q direct certificate of character and
| authority which all other discoverers and
| inventors are obliged to obtain in the regular
| way from the Patent Office
When reminded thst Giragossian was seek
| ing a special privilege his supporters insisted
merely that III he had what he said he had
| then he had something that the United States
| ought to have meaning that II the United
| states got 1t first the fate of Germany would
| soon be decided. OF course. II Is to be hoped
| that Mr. Girag agossian has what he thinks he
| has" Congress certainly places great dea
/ Of confidence In him.
| Congress may not have reversed itself or
| the States rights question, but certain Con-
gressmen seem to have done SO on the pro.
| hibtion vote. Those who favored the pro
| hibItory amendment were chiefly from ths
l newer States In the South and West III
|t t. +.