The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-06-22
IN
WAR LEGISLATION
Gravity Of Measures Made De-
lay Necessary, However.
HASTE IN GRANTING FUNDS
Careful Consideration Eliminated Some
of the Most Objectionable Features
From Various Measures Debates
Have Been Useful and Instructive.
Much Power Given TO Executive.



Much Power Given TO Executive.
BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.
Washington. June 2~t.-lSpecial.
There has been delay In passing the
war legislation. This has been crit
cised In some quarters II indicates
lack OF appreciation Of the grave situa
ton with which the country Is con
fronted. There have been delay and n
great deal of discussion, but when an
alyzed they nave been found to be nee
essary.
AS to the actual war necessitles-the
furnishing of money and credits-there
has been little delay by congress. Most
of this has been on account OF the ex-
traordinary measures which have been
proposed by some of the departments,
extraordinary because they give such
grants of power to the executive. Not
only are these grants found In the
espionage measure, the most objection
able features, such as the censorship
provision, having been eliminated, but
they are found I'm the food bills, the
railroad control bin and other bills
which have beer presented for consid
GRAFTON.
Debates Have Been Useful
In consideration OF these measures
the debates have been useful In show
ing the extraordinary grants OF power
In fact, 1t has been shown that con
gress has beer practically asked to del
egate its legislative powers TO the eX-
ecutive departments as a war neces-
sity. As the United States is 1900
miles from the war. II Is hard to re-
allze that any such necessity exists;
hence the long discussions and impor-
tnnt amendments which have been
made to most of the bills.
Taft's Surprising Suggestion.
During the campaign of 1912 or just
preceding 1t President Taft made a sug
gestion about disposing of eX presidents
SO that they would no longer trouble
the people. OF course he had especial
reference to Colonel Roosevelt, who
was just then causing Taft more CON
.ern than any ono else.
The remark Of President Taft was
recalled when he vas quoted a few
days ago as saying that America would
have to contribute 100000 men to the
wal and untold resources. That was
an amazing statement. about the least
cheerful contribution that has been
made by any public man since the war
began.
Crops In the Northwest.
Being a farmer himself IL was nat
ural that Senator Gronna OF North Da-
kota should make observations of crop
conditions while on IA recent trip home
from the far west. 1T has been quite
dry I'm North Dakota and other west
ern %states.' he said, but recent rains
have helped. Everything is planted.
There is abundant seeding. especially
I'm my state. If it was not for the war
they would never be able to take the
crops off the ground"
A Disquieting Suggestion.
The remark of the North Dakota
senator had "A rather disquieting effect
upon a number OF people who heard
Ii. for they fear that there may be a
great deal of trouble In harvesting the
crops this fall. 1t will be a pity to see
those crops go TO waste when they are
SO badly needed.
One suggestion made I'm this connec
ton Is that those who are exempt from
the military draft for one reason oil
another may be conscripted 10 hell
gather the crops. Whatever else tn,
government does 1t is bound to gather
the harvests and secure ood
Had Prominent People.
j. S. Holder, who more than an.
other one man was responsible 70
having the statue of Sequoyah place.
in memorial hall to represent Oklaho
ma. says that Fort Gibson. in tina
state. has been the residence of man.
prominent men. Among those he names
are Sam Houston, Zachary Taylor, Jet
ferson Davis, Washington Irving, Hen
ry Wedsworth Longfellow and Jane
G. Blaine. Taylor commanded the pos
long before the Mexican war. and Dt
Wis was also in command years befor
he became head of the Confederaey.
Comforting Germans.
Following the example of the pres
dent. a great many men continue to n
iterate the statement that 1--WE al
not fighting he German people, bt
the German autocracy." That Is u
doubt comforting to the Germans
this country, but some of our poop
would like to see a little reciprocit.
They would like to see the Germa
people stop sinking our ships, for OF
thing.
Alaska Helping.
Governor Strong of Alaska was
Washington a few days ago and a
sured government officials that Alasl
was going to do her bit to help
the war against Germany. I'VE a
going to raise enough potatoes to su
ply ourselves this season." he said al
added that great quantities Of SALINE
would be exported. There is one Sc
t~-A r. F1.g-