The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1918-04-19
Washington Letter.

| correspondence 1.-The Committee or
| Military Affairs of the House has
taken prompt action on the bill that
passed the Senate the other day pro-
viding communication of quarters for
officers in the field. Representative
julius Kahn of California has reported
the measure to the House, and has
supported his written report by long
letters from the Secretary of War
and the Quartermaster General.
Heretofore it has been held that Off
GERS in the field were not entitled to
communication of quarters unless their
field duty was of strictly temporary
character. The act reported by Mr..
Kahn broadens the present law so as
to make it apply to all officers in the
field, regardless of the duration of
their assignments.
1--WE have taken our stand on the
side of right" eXclaims Representa-
tive Henri l. Emerson of Ohio, "and
we must fight for right with every
ounce of energy this Nation has, and
never yield to wrong" The sentiment
is indicative Of the position Mr..
Emerson has taken on all the war
legislation that has come before the
House for action. Mr.. Emerson con-
tends that nothing will so instill con-
fidence into the hearts of the men at
the front and bring discouragement
to our enemies as large oversub-
scription of the Third Liberty Loan.
The Congressman is planning to take
an active part in the bond campaign
among his own constituents, and will
encourage them and citizens of the
country generally to buy the bonds
promptly.
Congressman Everts A. Hayes of
California, the ranking Republican
member of the House Committee on
Banking and Currency, has been active
in securing the passage of the bill
authorizing banks to loan money on
Liberty Bonds in excess of the loan
limit of ten per cent of their capital
and surplus now imposed by law Mr..
Hayes holds that it would be a dis
tinct encouragement to individuals to
purchase the bonds if it was known
that they could be taken to the bank
at any time and their face value bor-
rowed on them as security. After the
provisions of the measure had been
explained to the House by Mr.. Hayes
the bill ws passed without dissent
ing voice, and it is expected that little
difficulty will be found in getting it,
through the Senate and approved by
the President.
Representative George w. Fairchild
of New York is giving his attention
to securing legislation that will pre-
vent what he terms "fake patriots"
from subscribing to large amounts of
Liberty Bonds, and, as soon as the
drive is over, dumping their holdings
on the market. Of course no aid is
given the Government unless the
purchaser of bonds retains possession
of the securities. Immediately to re-
sell his holdings is but to depress the
price of the bonds, and injure the
creulC Oh the government TO Chat eX-
tent. 1t has been found extremely
difficult, however, to frame provision
that will prevent such frauds. 1t fire.
quently happens that the holders of
bonds find that they need the money
and are compelled to sell; in fact that
privilege is one of the strong induce
ments to purchasers. Mr.. Fairchild
has called the matter to the attention
of the Secretary of the Treasury and
will cooperate in an effort to find
some remedy for the evils that now
exist.
Analysis of the vote in Wisconsin's
Senatorial election produces about the
same percentage of Socialist vote as
that which New York case in it's NUM-
cipal election last November. In
each case, however, the figure is high
enough to warrant some senstitiveness
in approaching the Congressional cleo
tions of this fall. 1t is impossible to
tell now just what per cent of Social
ist strength is taken from either
of the old parties; perhaps that can
never he determined with accuracv