The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-03-14
By W. v. BYARS.

trial for the East, the president
and general manager Of the Chicago
and Northwestern for the West, and
the vice president Of the Illinois Cen
trail for the South. He prophesied
that rates would be increased. The
bill is certainly a RAILROAD bill,
and. as such, it may have many ad-
vantages. But any increase Oh ad-
vantages possible for the public Is
left for the arbitrary decision OF
those who will administer IL. Inere
Is no doubt OF this whatever.
The House continued to debate
and amend the Legislative, executive,
and judicial appropriation bill with
out reaching a vote on it. The de-
Law was due chiefly to the amend
ment increasing the salaries of Gov
eminent employees in the District OF
Columbia. 1t provided q fiat in
crease" Of S120 a year for all draw
ing up to and including $4,000 a
year, without counting in the 5 per
cent increase voted at the last sesA
sion to cover increased cost OF living
as then estimated. The increase, due
to war prices, has been much greater
since then. In addition, there has
been a marked cut in She buying
power Of wages, due to systematic
cheapening Of the currency, which
has sent it to rs per cent discount
in neutral European countries. I'm
der such circumstances it is mendac-
ity TO call the $120 a year q raise"
It does not amount even to restor-
alton.
A delegation Of lumber men, with
Congressman Fordney introducing
them, appeared before the Senate
Committee on Military Affairs to
protest against further "comman-
deering" or taking over" The COM
mittee then heard officials of the
War Department in explanation OF
tie series Of authorized measures,
Eow before Congress. These were
shown in print in blackfaced type,
with measures introduced by Con-
gressmen (not authorized) printed in
plain Roman.
The Senate Committee on Judici-
81 OnCC VII Tic
Overman bill, authorizing the unfit
cation and coordination Of depart
ments and persons for war work
"Unifcation and coordination" was
recently referred to in the Senate
as "scrambling."
The Senate is now proceeding to
consider the agricultural appropris-
ton bill. Senator Calder introduced
It by an able speech on the advan-
tages Of woman suffrage, as dem
onstrated in New York.
Ihere VIII be two new Assistant
Secretaries Of War shortly, as the
Senate yesterday passed the bill the
House had already passed providing
for them. One OF them, who is TO
look after the life OF the soldier in
its non-military aspects" will COM
bine the functions of an archbishop
with those Of kindergarten superin-
tendent and gymnasium manager.
The. Secretary OF the Treasury re-
ported another deficit to the Senate
Yesterday 1t is In the funds for the
signal corps, as 1t includes the avi-
alton service Only 5000, 000, 900 more
Is urgently needed at present In ad-
dition to the s640, 000, 900 appropriate
ed. The United States Employees Com
pensation Commission appealed to
the House for relief from a deficit
Of $4,000.
Mr.. Johnson OF Kentucky Is not
likely to miss any increase of from
so to 250 per cent in District Of Co
lumbia rents, while his anti
profiteering" bill is In the Senate. !
He reported several cases OF that
kind to the open session Of the
House yesterday. The Senate is GER
tainly tired Of using its war
powers" but profiteers cannot safely
insult its dignity by increases OF
over a hundred per cent while It is
trying to think Of something more
important
House discussion yesterday de- !
veloped the fact that we are already |
making atmospheric nitrogen" for |
powder at Niagara Falls, and that |
though our output from all plants |
will soon be 49,, 900 tons a year, Ger
many is now making four times that |
amount. When no nitrogen is left in |
the air, 1t is supposed to keep the
oxygen from stimulating us until we
are unable to stop after getting |
started. 1t is also supposed by some
to be useful in preventing the oxygen
from combining with other gases
and setting fire to the planet-as
some who look forward to Arranged
don expect will occur in connection
NTH a. put nm noInts of fheolo1y |