Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-07-17
Washington. July II.

A SURVEY of the political situation in
Washington finds President Wilson on
guard at the White House. sending out oc-
casional letters to Senators or members Of
Congress couched in such terms as to lead
many Republicans to wonder how far they
ought to go in supporting the President
without reserve. II cannot he denied that
the Comma nder in Chief of the army and
navy. behind whom all patriotic Americans
desire to stand in the war. is not entirely
oblivious Of his political strength. Neither
are the departments. boards and commits.
sions which now operate under his drec-
ton They seem to feel that the winning
of the war is dependent upon the continu.
ance of existing political conditions
The Republicans generally take issue
with the political views of those who are
in power and who are endea voring to per
petuste 1t, but they lack that sort Of Co
hesiveness" which David H. Lane. of Phila-
delphls. would hold TO be essential to party
success. They are afraid, to be right
frank about 1t. that any real assault upon
the political battlements of the Adminstra
tion would be regarded a unpat triotic and
for that reason little is done by way of
investigating those mistakes of Govern
ment which heavily tax the people.
During the last two or three weeks spo-
radio outbreaks have occurred. like the
House resolutions urcoverng the eligibles
for army and navy service who were bur.
led by appointment in the various depart
ments. and the assault of Senator Penrose
and others, on the seemingly unnecessary
appropriations for bug-hunters in the De
partment Of Agriculture. The President
If he noticed these momentary uprisings,
however, came back vigorously with veto
messages on certain measures which, put
to the test, found him sustained by both
houses.
In letter TO Representative Sims which
the House Democrats succeeded in keeping
out of the Congressional Record. the Presi-
dent, in advocating the passage of the
water-power bill. actually went so far as
TO urge the members of the lower house
| to use their kindly offices with the Senators
| TO bring them 20 terms. II is a rule Of
| the House that no Senator shall be men.
| toned by name in House debates so that
| the Presidents letter came perilously near
| to a violation of the rules.
Notwithstanding the Executives war
| time hold upon the legislative body, it is
| plain that if the Senate or the House could
free itself for brief spell from the fear of
| appearing disloyal, there would be doings
on the hill that would crowd the galleries.
TNHAT Philadelphia Civil Service Commits.
| sion, which was headed by Frank NJ
| Ritter during the Blankenburg Administra.
| tion. is numerously represented in the war
| service. In the ordnance department we
have Louis Van Dusen. who was one OF
| the commissioners. He has a good deal to
do with the personnel which means ap
| pointments to the service. Arthur Swan
son, who was chief examiner, is also in
the ordnance department
Other examiners of the Philadelphia
| board who qualified for the ordnance
| branch were Elmer Goebert and John Cos.
| tello. J. A. Carn, who was for a while
| registrar of the Bureau of Water under
| Mayor Blankenburg. figures actively in
ordnance, while Graham Starr, another