Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-07-03
CONGRESSMEN
FEAR TO GO HOME
They Dread Facing Their Con-
stituents Until Conscription
and War Taxes Are
in Operation
Special correspond.nce Eyenino LedOsr


WASHINGTON. July g.
NONGRESs is no respecter Of holidays
~ and sometimes II meets on Sunday, but
owing to the demand for public speakers
at various holiday celebrations II Is seldom
that holiday meetings Of Congress are well
attended. II is an old axiom that Congress
Is a law unto Itself which means that Con-
grcss can do as II pleases, since no one
Congress Is responsible to another But
Congress is generally patriotic on the
Fourth Of July. II only to permit some OF
its orators to appear at public demonstra-
tions where the Declaration Of Independ-
ence Is read and where the story OF the
Constitution il told anew to applauding
multitudes. This year, however, there VIII
be fewer Fourth Of July addresses by mem-
bers Of the national body than usual
Senators and Representatives have been too
busy with the work made necessary by the
war to feel at liberty to make positive en-
gagements for the national holiday. Many
Of them will remain in Washington TO catch
up with their Office work, while those who
go home will go for a much-needed rest
It is not expected that the House will do
much work during the week, anyhow, since
II is ahead of the Senate and is waiting
for that body TO catch up. When the Senate
does catch up, the House will go into con-
ference on the important bills, and very little
new legislation not relating to the war will
be enacted II was decided by the Demo-
cratic caucus early In the session not to
deal with Independent legislative matters
such as are usually found clogglng tho cal
endar at this time of year, but to conine
the work to measures asked for by the
President and then adjourn
Members Going Home to Trouble
with hot weather here most members are
longing for adjournment, although some
Of them are suspected Of having a desire
to remain away from their constituents
until the tax question Is settled and con-
| scription is in force. It is apparent that
the country at large Is not fully aroused
even yet to the stern necessities Of the war
! in which we are engaged. Members are
! aware that the awakening will come when
the tax collector begins to mako his rounds
under the new revenue laws. They are pre-
| pared to hear complaints about taxes but
| what is uncertain I'm the minds Of many
OF them is the effect oC conscrption. APP
| peas from home, and excuses Of one kind
| or another, are met in the daily COrre-
| spondence Of most members. which lead to
| the belief that questions affecting enlist
ments. exemptions and discharges are going
| to increase during the summer. As these
| matters have to he taken up in Washing
| ton, some members feel that they might
| as well stay here to look after the inter-
| ests Of their constituents as to go home
| To a certain extent, however. all these
| matters are being adjusted as the de-
| partments are getting their war business
| in working order.
Political Influence Discounted
For one thing II is coming to he under
| stood that political influence does not count
| In the matter OF appointments or promotions
| in the army and navy. Certain commend
| atory letters are sometimes effective, but
| as they pertain to the character and expert
| ence of applicants the Endorsement OF busl-
| ness men goes as far as that Of Congress-
| men. II Is difficult to make certain appli-
| Cants who are accustomed to political meth
| DDS clearly understand this and some of
| them do not until they actually run up
| against the gentleman in shoulder straps.
| Both departments have regulations on this
| subject which they pretend to observe. The
men in the regular service understand it
| and have long since learned TO keep within
the lines. 1t is the volunteers, and partcu-
| larly those who have entered the newer
| branches of the service, who bump up
| against the regulations. Here is a sample
| bump II pertains TO attempts at promotion
| In the naval reserve force
THE bureau receives daily numerous
communications from politicians and men
| Of influence requesting advancement or as
signment to duty of members Of the naval
reserve force, In each case such COM
munications will be forwarded to the imme-
diate commanding officer of the reservist
and notation will be made on the record
To the effect that political influence has
been sought TO secure advancement or
assignment to duty and the reservist will
be informed that repetition Of such cases
will be sufficient cause for disciplinary ac-
| ton"