The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1919-08-13

Rep. Ferris Says Cost Of Living and
Other Problems Need Atten-
tion

washington, ~. C.--kepresenta-
tive Scott Ferris, one Of the Demo
cratic leaders in the House of Rep
resentatives, protested vigorously
against the adjournment of that
branch of Congress for month, and
urged that there be no halt in the
consideration of important legisla-
ton.
my position is that So per cent
of the soldiers are demobilized and
all the soldiers are expecting Con-
gress to do something for them in
the way of providing homes" said
Representative Ferris in explaining
his opposition to adjournment.
my own notion is that the House
ought to deal with that proposition
prior to this five weeks vacation.
There is some difference of opinion
on just what should be done for
them. But il can be and should
be worked out. Surely there can
be no difference of opinion that
some relief should be accorded.
But If there is any difference of op-
inion on that subject, | would like
to hear from the gentleman who
holds that opinion"
Representative Wreeler asked
whether If the House passed legis-
lation the Senate would give it COLI
sideration before October.
81 think the gentleman and /
have both been here long enough
to know that every step forward
YOU can take with legislation al
ways progresses it that much, and
to wait and wait and let the SOL
diers get scattered and let Congress
get scattered, only delays 1t just
that much longer. 1t ought not to
wait longer. Something ought to
be done now"
Representative Good at this
point sought to interrupt Represen-
tative Ferris with question.
81 hope the gentleman will per-
81 have a very short time. There is
another question that is a burning
question. / do not think either
side of the House is to blame for it,
but / state on my own responsible
ty as member here that the high
cost of living must have some at
tention from somebody and have It
very quickly"
This statement brought applause
from both sides of the chamber.
Problem for Workers
Men and women working for
SIS or 500 or $3.50 a month say
they cannot make ends meet" he
continued. Men working for small
wages are not able to make enough
to take care of their families. |
do not know what the solution will
be, but it deserves the best efforts
of all of us, and if we adjourn it
will not get it. The laboring men
are here now before these boards,
and l talked with some, talked with
both sides on the question last
night.
"They are trying to get their
wages raised-the railroad men
insisting that Shey cannot make
both ends meet. One of two things
Is cerain: either we shall have TO
raise their wages or raise the rail
road rates, or keep the railroads
and go on subsidizisg the railroads.
The Republican party is in control
n both ends of the Capitol. The
problem is theirs. They ought not
% delay. 1t has been delayed too
ong.
1.-The public lands committee
nave authorized a bill to remedy
his and to deal with the soldier
question. ! do not think it sufici-
mt, but it is start. 1t can be
1t can be made accepta-
Die. 1t ought to be made accepta-
lie. There are bills to deal with
'ther importast questions-the
the modification Of the
Var Risk Bureau insurance, so as
o make it applicable o peace times
md make it acceptable to the sol
Iiers-and whether they ought 10
AXE D recess at this time and 1T
IL these questions 90 unsolved is .
question for the majority to decide
For my own part, while J do
ot carry the responsibility at an
or the Congress, except my own, ;
m not in favor Of neglecting those
alicnt things for any sort of n To-