The Monticellonian., 1918-08-09
POLITICIANS LOOK
 ID PEACE TIMES
REALIZE THAT HEROES OF THE WAR WILL TAKE LEADING
 PARTS IN PUBLIC LIFE.
MANY WILL BE IN CONGRESS
Opposition to Wire Control Measure siIenced by the Knowledge That German Agents Have Been Using Our Telegraph and Telephone.
By ARTHUR W. DUNN.

Our Telegraph and Telephone.
 By ARTHUR ". DUNN.
 Washington.-Alrea certain pOliti- clans have begun Hooking forward in regard to the political effect of the great war. For the most part this re- lates to the presidential campaign in 1920. but there are other considera- tions which are somewhat personal. particularly to the younger element In congress. There is no question about the creation of a large crop of Great War heroes. Men who participate in the present war for democracy and humanity will be heroes in the eyes of the people for many years to come, and they will naturally receive politi- cal benefits accordingly.
 For years after the Civil war Union army men dominated politics in the North and held most of the offices. In the South only men who had Confeder- ate war records were recognized for any political position. In the North q Union war record was for 20 to 30 years great political asset. In all probability for 40 years after the pres ent war ends men who participated in 1t will reap a political advantage and the time Is coming when congress will have very large representation of men who took part in the greatest war the world has known.
 While there was a good deal of op- position to the resolution taking over the telegraph and telephone lines by the government, yet everything yielded to military necessity.
 There has been suspicion for a the telephone have been used by Ger man agents for the purpose of furnish ing information to Germany regarding the movements of troops and the yes sells of the United States as we'll as of merchant shipping This suspicion grew during the time the U-boats were operating off the Atlantic coast. It was believed that many innocent sounding messages sent over the tele- graph wires and verbally communi- cated over telephone wires were really notifications of German agents as to the disposition of American troops and of intended movements Of American vessels. When this idea was talked about Tn congress there was not much hesitation in giving the government authority to absolutely control such lines of communication
 Tn the bill for the stimulation of ag- rieulture, which went over mainly be- cause of the prohibition amendment which It contained. there were many provisions of various kinds. One in re gard 10 rodents caused Senator Pen rose of Pennsylvania to make inquiries of Senator Gore of Oklahoma. who had charge of the bill .T am curious to know why this amendment has been stricken out" said Penrose. If it had been merely rodents it might have stayed in hut to strike out a noxious rodent struck me rather unfavorablv."
 Peoples tastes, of course. change.n blandly replied Senator Gore. "and probably we are more fastidious in chasing them as noxious rodents"
 Gan the senator tell me just what varieties of rodents are described as noxious?" asked Penrose
 "I may say to the senator" remark cd Gore, "as he seems to have very statesmanlike curiosity on this suh- ject that the department intended to make an assault on rats and mice in dwellings. We thought perhaps that was going little too far in these strenuous times and we would leave the individual and our great indlvid- ualistic theory to combat the mice, at least for time"
 ''They have temporary immunity" commented Penrose.
 ''Since we are 10 have woman sui frage." further explained Gore. 'it was thought the women ought to com bat the mice. At least that was the argument that was made before the committee"
 All of which shows that senators can indulge in some very trivial conversa- tion during very strenuous times.
 On the last day that the house was in session to do business attention was called to the attempt at profit eeing by sharp Washington law yers and claim agents at the ex- pense of soldiers who die at the front Most of the soldiers have taken advantage of the generosity of the gov ernment in the matter Of war risk in, surance, and have taken out policies Then there is usually some back pay due soldiers who die in the service The benefieiaries of the war risk in surance and those to whom the bacl pay Is due are sure to receive theil money from the government withou the Intervention of any agent or at torney. But the attorneys and clain agents, anxious to make all they cal even at the expense of the widows ant orphans or other relatives of soldier who die on the battlefield, seek tn
 earliest opportunity to get in touel with the benefeiaries of the insuranc
 and back pay and offer their service as collecting agency, and usually de mand 20 or 9 per cent of the amour
 due. Where there Is S1o,000 polio
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