Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1918-02-27
UNCLE SAM WOULD
Be QUITE sWAMPED
PROPOSALS TO PAY LOSSES DUE
TO THE SHUTTING DOWN or
PLANTS NOT FAVORED.
CIVIL WAR CLAIMS PENDING
Galleries Hugely Enjoyed the Political
Debate in the Senate and Were
SternIy Rebuked for Their Demon
strations.
BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.

BY Az 6OR w. DUNN.
Washington.-Propo to reimburse
corporations and individuals for losses
sustained by reason of shutting down
plants or stopping work due to the or
der of the fuel administration are not
looked upon with favor, although bills
for this purpose have been introduced
In congress. Those who know anything
about claims against the government
are staggered as they contemplate the
result of legislation to pay for any such
losses as may have occurred or are
claimed to have occurred on account of
the recent order. What list of claims
there would be! And what big bu-
reau it would take to examine these
claims and sift the real from the spuri-
| BUS. Nearly every person in the United
States who had any business or was
employed in any capacity could make
claim for loss sustained on the days
designated by the fuel administration.
Following the Civil war congress was
overwhelmed with claims for losses of
property and now, SO years after the
close of that war, there are still thou
sands of war claims pending. Millions
| of people yet unborn would not live to
see the end of the claims presented on
account of that fuel order if con-
greSs should give sanction to a proposal
that those who suffered loss should be
reimbursed.
The day the political debate opened
in the senate was one thoroughly en-
joyed by the people who crowded the
galleries. At several stages of the pro-
ceedings it was necessary for the pre-
siding officer to admonsh the galleries
that they would be cleared if manifes-
tations of applause occurred. On one
| of the occasions Senator Lewis of Illi-
such a vigorous manner, made a spe-
cial request that the galleries should
not show signs of disapproval. The
| presiding officer stated that the occu-
pants had already been so advised.
'They have been so advised for the last
| 100 years." remarked Senator Penrose
| of Pennsylvania.
Anu WITHOUT result, luIeEJcCleu
| Senator Stone of Missouri.
without effect, and they will be adj
vised for another 100 years to the same
effect" was the additional remark of
Senator Penrose.
The sentence which caused the first
tered by Penrose in speaking Of Colonel
House to Senator Stone. 81 would like
to have little sidelight on the colo
nell" was the remark of the Pennsyl-
vania senator after explaining what
| mysterious character he had been.
| "Where did he get his military title?
am curious to know. / want to get his
full pedigree"
Another feature of the debate that
caused great laughter in the galleries
| was the denunciation of the Republican
party by Senator Stone, and particular
| " his caustic criticism of Colonel
/ Roosevelt Stone was interrupted by
| Senator Borah who asked us the
senator going to present any proof that
| Colonel Roosevelt is Republican 2"
| This seemed greatly to amuse the gal
| leries, but it was also very amusing to
| the senators. Senator Stone in reply
| remarked that he did not know wheth-
| err the colonel worked with the senator
from Idaho just now, adding, "He used
| to, but now l think he works with the
senator from Pennsylvania"
This seemed very funny to the people
| who heard 1t, and then Penrose had a
! thought. IF 1t would not be treason
| for me to say it." said Penrose solemn
| ly, perhaps Mr.. Wilson at his first
election was under great obligation to
Mr.. Roosevelt"
Nearly two years ago men having
| knowledge of military affairs believed
| that the quartermaster's department
| would break down if it had to attempt
| to handle the multitude Of duties
which would be placed upon it in case
of a real war. An effort was made at
| that time to incorporate in the army
| appropriation bill provision which
would virtually have established di-
| rector of munitions and which would
4
| don of the quartermaster's depart
| nent In time of war. Senator Cham
berlain secured such amendments in
the, army bill, but they were lost in
| conference with the house.
The present quartermaster's depart
ment not only includes the responsible
| duties of furnishing transportation,
| tents. equipage and clothing for troops,
but a few years ago the commissary
| and pay departments We're consolidat-
| ed with it, which oyerburdens any one
| department. This consultations has
| been made since the Spanish war.
| Even during the Spanish war the duai
| termaster's department was Avs. =
| failure, as anyone who vii a. &c - -
pains TO look up the reel
| time can learn.
The success of the Union cause In
the Civil war was due largely TO the
superior qualities of General Meigs.
There was quartermaster general