The courier-index. (Marianna, Ark.) 1917-current, 1919-11-07
Observation-Disclosures
WASHINGTON CHAT
gv ROBERT EPSON
ooo-o-o-O-o-O-t

4nrs and representatives VINO lol-
lor-ad fine vocation of farming be-
fore they entered upon poilticai
career which landed them IN the
sails Of congress. There are many
If them, yet it does not mean 10
saw that the lawmakers who nave
rot been farmers. are unmindfui OF
+he farmers interests, but Is
true that legislators who have been
Farmers have a better understand,
ynp Of what the farmer needs and
snoI,ld have than the men who have
never followed the pillow or oper
ated the rake and hoe. In recent
months the farmer members OF
10th houses have not been abe 70
80 as much for the farmer, r ? leg
islative way, as they would nave
liked. because they have been ham
.licapped by the innnumerabie ana
unusual problems that have con-
fronted them in so many ways.
But their hearts are in thu rlght
place. and they realize more than
ever that upon the farmer derends
in large measure the future OF the
ration. and that he can help them
solve one of their greatest prob +,
lens now-that of adjust the
high cost of living. Just no. the
farmer is high in the thoughts o.
the lawmakers. They know that ne
is orospering, and right in the face
of MANY difficulties that beset him,
but they want him to go ahead fur
Their, to plan now, at this planning
season, to plant an increased crop,
to provide more food and cattle,
Just the same as when he came TO
the rescue of the world during the
war, when every foot of ground
was put to use. Then it was done
for patriotic reasons, a hardening
to the call of the nation; now 1T
must be done for the benefit of
disturbed people at home. If the
farmer needs encouragement, he
may rest assured that it comes
hole-heartedly from congress, in
thought and action for the farmers
interests later.
Medical societies and leading
physicians of the country are agi-
tating the creation of new cabinet
officer, medical members at the
head of the department OF health.
Considerable r~essure is being
brought to kear upon members OF
both senate and house, and the sub
iect is finding many favorable ad-
vocates. The claim is made that
the development of sanitation and
disease prevention under the war
organization of the army has DEM
onstrated the need for a federal
health organization that would rank
with the other great federal de-
partments; that the efficiency of /
the American medical men was am
ply proven during the war, and that
the high degree of medical success
was due to scientific progress in the |
determination of the causes of dis
ease and the methods for prevention
of it. While it is admitted that the
bureau of public health service is !
effective to a great degree, it is
largely handicapped because it OPP
crates under the supervision of the
treasury department, and that if it
were removed from such supervis-
ion and made a separate depart
ment, with its head a cabinet Of
ficer, that closer contact would be
made with town, village, city and
state department of health, result
ing in the same benefits being
given to the civil population as
were enjoyed by the army organi-
zation during the war.
No more is the diplomatic room
Of the state department, once the
e L. oh
of the national capital. 1t has
given way to the demand for much
needed space for the clerical force.
It was long and stately apart
mept. decorated in white and gold,
h$sing brilliant red carpet of
velvet, with furniture of gold
flies, upholstered in red brocade.
In this historic room several treat
les have been signed between the
United States and other nations,
and it has been the scene of many
noted conferences between the sec
rotary of state and diplomats from
foreign countries. The oil portraits
of past secretaries of state, which
adorned the walls, the long table
of ebony, the costly hangings and
draperies, have been moved into a
much smaller room near the private
office of Secretary Lansing.
*@**$*
Probably in no other city of the
country do churches use the news
papers to such an extent for adver-
tising Sunday sermons and the va
rious religious features that they
have to offer on the Sabbath than
those of all denominations at the
seat of government. They have
found newspaper advertisements,
either of large or small space, the
best means to impart church info
nation to the members of their
congregations, to the transient
public and to the fifty or more
thousand of war workers in Wash
ington, who have come from every
state in the union. Church attend
ance on Sundays at the capital
taxes the capacity of all church
edifices, and if there is any ques-
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