Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-04-27
PIGS AND CHICKS
ON GARBAGE JOB
Congress- Hits On New
Method to Keep Cap
ital Clean +
VARIETY OF BILLS UP.
Growth of Paternalism Shown
by Trend of Socialistic
Measures . b..
By ]. HAMPTON MOORE

ton proposes % fake them over in con-
nection with the ;fhvpIclpal scheme for
removing garbage. The House has actu-
ally passed such a bill.
Disposal Of garbage is a problem in
any big city. The creation Of reduction
and incinerating,'plent has relieved the
situation in some Instances, but when
hot weather COMES and the snfall streets
MI up with greasy tin cane, emitting
unpleasant odors. the painstaking house
wife is sure to be heard from" II relief
is not promptly provided.
Philadelphia haslthe troubles Incident
70 a great city hut think Of the ma
tons capital. now war metropolis
with summer coming on and no one will
ing 70 take n contract FOR the disposal
of the garbage And what do the COM
inissoners OF the District Of Columbia
propose? Erect a disposal plant? No
The bill Just passed BY the House Of
Representatives provides a total appro-
priation Of S620. 900. Of which 100000
may be expended for the purchase of
pigs, livestock and poultry. Some
where in Virginia" il is proposed TO
dump the garbage Of the district. where
pigs. livestock and poultry may con-
eume IT, And this for the busiest cupi-
tai in the world.
IL SttIllS llldL lllt lllSlll'.t CbllllillSNlbll-
ers have been unable 10 induce con-
tractors to collect garbage and dispose
of II to their satisfaction. 1t is asserted
that the business here Is not profitable
Doubtless n municipal reduction plant
will eventually come 10 the city. but
meanwhile. for the summer emergency
II is planned to embark in the pig. live
stock and poultry business. The thought
is to buy or lease certain lands in Nir-
ginia and establish there dumps for the
disposal of the garbage upon which the
/. poultry and livestock may be fed. Il
is a primitive method and perhaps not
worthy Of the capital, but its advocates
contend that some OF the hospitals may
be benefited in the matter of milk, eggs
and meat. IL Is also asserted that the
farm lands thus taken over will be
benefited by the fertilization.
PaternaIIsm Gaining Ground
The regularity with which socialistic
schemes are brought before Congress is
noteworthy. There has been steady
procession of S5O,OOO.oOO bills to estab-
lIsh new Government agencies for the
RELIEF Of private concerns, or TO take
over to the Government wor; that has
been hitherto done by individuals.
This week a S5O,OoO,O0O mining bill
came to the fore. Il had the indorse-
ment of the Director Of Mines, of Pur-
traitor Hoover and others. They be-
leved 1t would be wise for the Govern
ment TO assume jurisdiction Of all min
erals except coal and a few others that
are now virtually commandeercd. II was
= substantially geological survey prop
osition. having to do with ores. metals
and minerals hitherto imported, many
of which, it is COntended. can be had in
the United states in sufficient quantities
for war purposes. CurjOusiy enough. the
Democratic majority, which brought in
the bill and which ordinarily would not
consider a protective tariff, urged the
passage of the measure ON the ground
that It would stimulate American. in
dustries. In other words the plan is 70
take money out of the Treasury u Ell
courage prospeCtors and others in the
United States rather than depend upon
imports which pay duty TO the custom
house. 1t is difficult to connect some Of
these measures with the war, but al
most in every instance they obtain back
ing from the Administration on that
ground. 1t Is interesting to follow the
approving action Of Meyer London, the
lone Socialist from New York. when
these bills come up for discussion. Lon
don always votes Tor the bills and some
times encourages their passage by
speeches in which he does not hesitate
TO suggest that they do not outrage the
socialistic platform.
Free Port Bills 60 over
The free port idea. which has been
agitated by former Congressman Will
liam Kent Of California. now member
OF the Presidents tar:ff commission, has
received q temporary setback. Through
the activity Of Mr. Kent. who always
classed himself as an Independent in
Congress and who turned in for Wilson
at the close Of the last campaign. hear
sv. TO.
Philadelphia and other cities 10 stir up
sentiment In favor Of the project. In
consequence Of the agitation. bills were
introduced in the Senate by Senator
Sheppard, Of Texas, and in the House by
former Governor Sanders. Of Louisiana,
both proposing the creation Of free ports
wherever the Secretary Of Commerce
might permit them 10 be located by in
dividuals or corporations The purpose
underlying these bills was to enable for
eigners, or Americans, TO do manufac-
turing in American ports without report
Ing to the custom houses.
Such an invasion OF the battle-ground
Of free trade and protection. however,
could not possibly get through the Sen
ate and House in these wartimes without
fight. Consequently, when the Sanders
bill came before the Ways and Means
Committee this week II was laid aside
for the remainder Of the session. The
majority or the members or the commit
tee evidently prefer not 10 open up what
IS sure to provoke a political discussion
at this time The free port idea has
been discussed in Philadelphia recently,
due to the tariff commission agitation.
and apparently obtained some foothold.
Congress Is speeding up in both
houses. Notwithstanding a lively postal
card campaign based upon the alleged
words Of Joseph II. Choate. These
cards are coming from ciubmen, business
men and others In New England and the
larger cities. They contain the quotas
tion. For Gods sake, hurry up :" an ex-
preston which Senator'S and Represen-
tatives with one voice declare applied to
the department and not TO Congress.
Congress has speeded up appropriations,
giving to every department virtually all
that has been asked for war work, and
Il Is now in a mood to be critical OF what
others are doing. II Is only the desire
- avoid embarrassing the President that
prevents a series Of inquiries as to why
results are not being attained TO corre-
spond with expenditures that have been
authorized.
In shipbuildipg aviation and certain
other lines there Is Wuch cause for con-
Germ but thdfsituRtIofi lately has heen
improving. The. opeFatlQnF OF the war
risk Insurance bureaaS and other new
bodies that have beep throUn together
hurrledly are aisp coming, In for, some
.fllicism. but. az stated, tht disposition
az both parties iQfftUhgres4 a. 10 do as
little foultfinding new as poralble. y}
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