The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1918-12-20
ton of most of its provisions. and to
q great extent he Is I'm readiness.

| the commissioner In the collection or
this huge sum during the next fiscal
year is to have the people thoroughly
understand what is required of them
and also to know what changes have
been made since the last great collec-
ton of revenue was made under the
former bill. The commissioners has
got to get his information TO great
many people through the papers or
the country and as soon as he knows
definitely what is needed he will put
the publicity machinery In motion.
Meanwhile he Is perfecting his organ
ization for the most gigantic task In
the way Of collecting revenue ever at
tempted by any government.
In all cabinet changes that have
been made there never has been
time when the secret was 80 well kept
as that in regard to the resignation
of Secretary McAdoo from the treas
ury department. From the time n
president appoints his cabinet until
the end Of his term there are constant
rumors of cabinet changes and II has
been the habit of many Washington
correspondents when having nothing
else to do to write cabinet story.
But no one ever surmised or suggest
ed that Secretary McAdOo was going
to resign. save when the suggestion
was made that he should he a candi-
date for governor of New York. What
ever discussions may have taken place
and however many men may have
known of the proposed resignation OF
Secretary McAdoo. not hint escaped.
even In a confidential way, so that II
could be whispered about from person
to person. 1t Is another evidence or
the success of the president In keeping
secret such things as he does not wish
to become public.
1t is quite often that governors are
elected to the senate and sometimes
when they are holding the Office of
governor. At such times the COVER
nors certify their own election to the
senate. Three new senators have been
so certified who will take their seats
March 4th next Governor Reyes of
New Hampshire has certified to the
election of himself as senator from
that state, and Governor Edge Of New
Jersey issues similar certificate. Gov
ernor Stanley of Kentucky Is another
In the same class. There are one or
two men now In the senate who were
certified in the same manner when
they were elected.
During the day of the adjournment
there was some discussion about
holiday recess and the necessity for
not wasting any time with an ad-
journment, in order to avoid an extra
session. Leader Kitchin took occasion
to remark that, IF we are diligent.
| work hard, rush the appropriation
bills, we may avoid an extra session."
At the same time great many men
In congress doubt whether IT will be
possible to avoid an extra session.
Government ownership or control
of public utilize sis one Of the after
the-war or reconstruction problems
that Is going to cause a great deal OF
discussion, not only In congress-, but
throughout the country. In view OF
the action Of President Wilson In
taking over the telegraph and
telephone lines at the time he did,
and later taking over the ocean cables,
1t is assumed that the administratf
Is In favor Of continued control Of pub
lie utilities. When the bill giving the
president power to take over the rail-
roads was being considered ne presi-
dent was anxious that % ss4ne limit
should be set for the ret IN Of the
railroads to their cwne > and man.
ayers. However, this VS. one of the
things In which the president could
not have his way, and congress fixed
limit of 81 months after the close
Of the war for the return Of the rail-
roads. A shorter limit applies to tele-
graph and telephone lines. Now, these
public utilities will go back to their
owners unless there Is legislation, and
the attempt to pass legislation con-
tinuing government control will be one
of the big features Of the next con-
gress. And what is more, it will not
be q party fight, although the Repub-
leans will be largely arrayed against
government ownership. There are
quite number of Republicans, who
were formerly known as progressives.
who are expected to support govern
ment control or ownership. At the
same time there are great many
Democrats who baked at the idea OF
government ownership Of public util-
tiles. Most of these are from the
Southern states and they still cling to
doctrines which were popular In their
party In former days.
1t is expected that the contest will
be brought on long before the time ex-
pires when the various public utilities
are to be returned to their owners. Al
ready resolutions on the subject have
haan intrOduced and they will he made