The weekly Iberian., 1917-03-17
MARTIN DECLINES
TO INDICATE VOTE
IN NEXT CONGRESS
Representative from Third
District Will Sound Senti-
ment of Constituents.

| Judge Whit =. Martin, Lonisi.
ana's Progressive representative
In Congress from the Third dis
trict, and the most talked. of man
in Washington through probably
holding the controlling vote In the
House, arrived In New Orleans
Friday and il registered mt the
Grunewald. He is accompanied
by Mrs. Martin and their two sons,
Marshall and Robbie. They will
remain here until noon Saturday,
when they will leave for their
home IN Thibodaux.
Judge Martin had just learned
Of the calling Of an extra session
Of Congress and was far from en-.
thusiastic over IL, though saying
he had expected It.
"While an extra session appears
u necessity, | can't say am de
lighted at the idea Of going back
into anoth her long session following
the strenuous one just completed" F"
he said. POSSIBLY IL would have
been averted but for the nlibuster
III the Senate"
The representative from the
Third district was enthusiastic
over the passage Of the food con
troll bill. When the outlook was
uncertain IN the earlier stages, ow.
ing to the charge that this bill
was sectional legislation, Judge
Martin and his colleagues aligned
themselves with u small group Of
men who worked TO couple the Sa-
crament0 river with the Mississip.
pi In the appropriations. Becaus 0
Of their efforts along this line,
they were enabled to overcome
the opposition that developed
among Western congressman.
"The special session will un.
doubtedIy be q long one, AZ there
Is the certainty Of much impor
tant business to be considered, I"
Judge Martin said. ~ do not ex-
pect to obtain any rest for l In
tend to utilize all Of the time at
my disposal IN going over the
Third district to consult with my
constituents.
"The only thing l care TO say
regarding my position In the or
ganization Of the next House is
tAat l propose to use any influence
| may have In the interest Of my
district and state, and trust my
course always will meet with the
approval Of the people Of my dis
trict.
III was disappointed at the fall
ure to pass the public buildings bill
and the rivers and harb0rs bill,
both OF which carried unusually
generous appropriations for the
Third district, and which failed to
pass only because Of the filibuster
In the Senate. However, | will re
introduce bills carrying these pro
jects and feel confident that, with
out exception, the items will be
carried IN the supply bills to be
passed at the next session.
"When Congress reassembles, !
believe the tariff will be revised,
irrespective OF which party con
trolls the House. So far az Louisi
ana industries are concerned be
lieve there will br q substantial
increase in duties to cover the gen.
eral increase cost Of production In
all lines OF manufacturing and az
rionltural industries. do not
care to make any predictions aloUg
this line, beyond saying ! look TO
the future with confidence.
There are some things aside
from tariff duties which have hung
like q milestone around the necks
OF the industries Of Louisiana for
more than q generation, and be
lieve the time has arrived when
We have the means to correct
them. The cane sugar crop Of
Louisiana has suffered by the arbi.
trary and unjust discrimination Of
the seaboard Ieflners and | am
hopeful that at the next session of
Congress means may be found TO
bring this tyranny to an end. ]
am sanguine regarding the out
look In the Third district, where
the sentiment for protection Is
stronger than ever. Times Plea.