The Nevada County picayune., 1918-04-18

power legislation. This committee for several months has had an opportu- nity to consider the administration bill. but so far has not been able to report a measure.
 The same old question of differences still exists. The senate, and partIeu- larly the men from the Western states, have their own ideas as to water-pow- CT legislation, and they are very loath to consent to measures which are SUD- ported by the house which have gen. erally had the backing of national ad- ministrations. That Is the reason why there is no water-power legislation en- acted.
 True to Its policy, the house consid- cred the subject of postal salaries more important than the big meas ures of finance, war and commerce, and in fact any other subject that has come up during the session. The in- terest manifested in one bill alone. that increases the salaries of post of flee employees outside of the city of terest than almost any other single bill that has been before congress. It certainly resulted in more lively de bates-"scraps" they might be called. as they often developed into wordy contests between members on the floor uhnrain noph trfa6 fn hout tho athnr out and the man with the loudest voice had the advantage. At such times the presiding officer would nearly split his gavel trying to maintain order, but without success.
 Perhaps the interest of all the mem- ton can be explained by the fact that they know about salaries and wages, while they are not so very we'll in- formed about high finance and similar subjects. The real explanation, how ever, Is that nearly every member has constituent who Is more or less in- terested in the question of salaries of government employees.
 It Is quite likely that many things will be done on account of the war, and among them we may finally reach point where price fixing will be adopted Notwithstanding the dec lamations against 1t that have been heard In both houses of congress, and the assertion that we have passed no law authorizing anybody to fix prices of commodities, 1t Is fact that there has been great deal of price fixing on many of the important articles of commerce in this country. And what Is more, there will be general price fixing If the so-called "profiteers" con tinue to abuse the patience 6 the gov ernment by charging exorbitant prices for the necessaries of life.
 There are great many things which the war may do before 1t is ended. and this much may be set down as certain: Whatever Is necessary to win the war. that will be done, whether 1t Is fix ing prices of commodities, fixing wages of labor. or doing anything else that Is required to make a success of the greatest undertaking of all time.
 The United States senate has way all its own and no other legislative body or business organization proceeds In like manner or under similar rules. The senate will start in earn estly or one subject and debate 1t for n little while In the morning. Then 1t will shift to another and there will be talk on that. Perhaps a very impor- tant bill will be brought up. Dozens of senators will descant upon Its i'm portance, and after that bill has been under vigorous discussion. oftentimes with important amendments suggest ed. 1t will be laid aside and another measure taken up.
 Sometimes senators complain of thls method of doing business and the h. congruities of such methods of legis- lation are pointed out. Why not take up measure and finish It and then go on to something elseT they often ask. Probably from the time the senate has been In existence, certainly TOT at least O yours uCSoiuihb to h'V' who have been around the body that long, the senate has been proceeding very much along the lines that are now in vogue and the answer to all the "why" questions has been the same as 1t is now; that Is, such questions are never answered.
 The thirst for luxury and amuse. ment which is said to be one of the predominant traits of the American people is one that could very well be suppressed to greater extent during the war than 1t has been so far. if wt are to believe a great many students of public affairs. Senator Thomas of Colorado voiced the feelings of good ly number of his colleagues when he condemned the "tea fights" cabarets. hotel orchestras and "ilunkeys." the ,I,ttar of Rrondway and all the other