Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1918-03-20

wages are suffering the pinch caused
by war prices.
| 1t Is said information has been
received In Washington POSSIBLY by
| the grapevine route) that when the
big spring offensive begins upon the
western battlefront in Europe the
Germans win concentrate their attack
on that sector defended by American
troops. Tie reason for this, 1t is ex-
planned, IS that if the Germans can
make success and crush the Ameri-
can army 1t will be very dishearten-
Ing to the allies, cause trouble be-
tween the Americans on one side and
the French and British on the other
and also have a moral effect in Amer
lea adverse to continuing the war.
While this story may have had some
foundation and may have been a part
of the German plan, military experts
point out that even If the Germans
should make a success of the 1lan,
they would establish themselves in
wedge and be subject to the severe
bombardment of the allies ON both
sides of the wedge. Congressman
Tilson of Connecticut, who Is regard
ed as the best informed man In con-
gress on military affairs, says that the
Germans would make a greater mis-
take by pushing a wedge into the al
lied lines than did the British at Cam
brai. He does not think 1t possible
for either the Germans or the allies
TO break through the different lines
and maintain wedge-shaped terrains
without great loss; first. because of
the severe bombardment to which the
advanced position would he exposed
on all sides; second, because of the
difficulty in bringing up supplies over
territory that had been torn up so
badly as all territory is near the front
lines.
Once in a while the senate talks
about hurrying things through; vari-
Gus senator's speak of the necessity of
haste In the consideration Of various
measures; and yet it is observed that
the delays are just about the same as
in former times when there was no
real hurry-up necessary. A senator
began a speech on one of the impor-
tant bills recently and he urged imme-
date action and pointed out the neces-
sity of speed. Then he talked nearly
all the afternoon with not more than
a half a dozen senators listening TO
him. But that is one of the ways of
the senate.
Work Better In Uniform.
According to Miss Mabel Boardman,
who for long was the active head Of
the national Red Cross, and who now
takes an important part in marshaling
the uniformed women of Washington
who belong to that organization when
there is anything going on. women
work better In uniforms and under
officers with military titles than they
do in their ordinary garb and under
officers with civilian titles.
Perhaps this is due to the fact that
so many women see so many men in
uniform at the present time Men In
uniform are conspicuous by their num-
Der, particularly on the streets of east
ern cities and at any roint near tho
big camps. Women also like to get
into uniforms and they probably share
the glamor OF military life which is
apparent In this country at the present
time.
Red-T Tape Idea Rebuked.
II was demonstrated in the house re-
Gently that this IS no time TO- split
ting hairs. \ big appropriation bill
was under consideration and 1t con-
tained a provision Of many millions OF
dollars for building quarters in the
District of Columbia for the employees
needed to carry on the war. Congress-
man Clark of Florida, who Is chairman
of the committee on public buildings
and grounds, and is jealous Of the pre-
negatives and rights of his committee,
interposed a point of ORDER and the
housing appropriation had to 90 out of
the bill. Clark could not stand the
pressure and criticism which his act
occasioned, and before the bill passed
he was compelled to calm down and
allow the provision to stand, although
1t had not been considered by his COM
mittee
Too Hasty in Changing Positions.
Two members of the house of repre-
sentatives sacrificed important COM
mittee places TO become chairmen Of
newly created committees. Both ,,.re
under the impression that the newly
! created committees were going to as
sumo an Importance which has not
/ been realized. Congressman ShackIe-
/ ford Of Missouri left the ways and
means committee to become chairman
/ Of the committee on roads. Congress
/ has passed a road bill, but road leg
| islation has been shunted since the
war began, and 1t may be long time
before 1t is taken up again. At the
/ time Shackleford was appointed chair
man of the roads committee he occu-
pied a place between Oscar Under
wood and Claude Kitchln on the ways
and means committee. II he had not
left this most important committee he
would have become its chairman. rnak
Ing him the leader Of the house and
the most influential member of that
body.
Congressman Humphreys Of Aflssls-
slppi left the rivers and harbors COM
mittee In order to be chairman of the
newly created committee on flood con-
troll. This committee. however, is not
very important during war times.
Congressman Smith of Michigan
made a short speech In the house re-