The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1919-02-28
CONGRESS SHOWS
It IS INCAPABLE
OF DOING THINGS
N. Y. World" Democratic Organ
Says Country is Legislatively
Bankrupt"

Washington, D. C.-"The country is
legislatively bankrupt" exclaims the
New York World in an editorial ex-
coriating the do-nothing policy of the
present congress. at must be appar-
ent," says the World, ito every Ameri-
can citizen who concerns himself with
affairs in Washington that the con-
gress OF the United States has ceased
to function as a legislative body.
Worse still, it has shown it is practi-
cally incapable of doing anything"
This judgment of the Democratic
congress by the leading Democratic
organ of the United States is echoed
in practically every section of the
country and in every line of business.
Probably no congress in American
history has been confronted with more
complicated governmental problems.
Undoubtedly no congress in American
history has ever shown itself either so
incapable of handling such problems,
or so unwilling to attempt their hand
ling.
Over three months have elapsed
since the signature of the armistice.
The knowledge that hostilities would
cease in comparatively short time
was possessed by all well informed
people for several weeks before the
signature of the armistice. Yet the
Democratic congress has done moth
ing to meet the problems of recon
struction which everyone knew
months ago would soon confront the
nation, and with which the nation has
actually been face to face since No
vember 18th last. The policy of
"watchful waiting" of drifting. of
waiting for something to turn up, of
trusting to luck instead of exercising
foresight, or resorting to expediency
instead of practicing craftsmanship
seems to be peculiarly Democratic
policy.
Blindly Spending Billions.
Until within a few days of the date
for the expiration of the present con-
gress not even a single appropriation
bill had been passed. That this con-
gestion was not unexpected is proved
by the fact that Chairman Kitchin.
of ths house ways and means COM
mittee made the statement several
weeks ago that when the appropria-
ton bills came up, congress would
have to pass them with its eyes shut"
The spectacle of congress blindly ap-
proving bills calling for appropria-
tions reaching the enormous aggre-
gate of nearly $4,000 100000. because
owing to Democratic incapacity it had
not been given time and opportunity
to study the bills does not commend
itself to the taxpayers who must foot
the bills.
No legislation has been enacted
covering the reconstruction and per-
manent status of the army or navy,
and no legislation has been enacted
even of preliminary character, look
ing to the solution OF the labor prob
lem. In a word, the Democrats in
control of both houses have produced
nothing to show for the time they
have spent since this session of CON
gress convened in December
"Dog-in-the- Manager" Policy.
Worse, not only have they initiated
no legislation of their own, but they
have not permitted legislation pro-
posed by the Republican minority to
be brought out of committee and
given open consideration upon the
floor of either house or senate. For
example. it has been over four months
since Senator John w. Weeks, Re-
publican, of Massachusetts,, introduced
bill calling for the creation OF joint
congressional committee on recon
struction. This bill, introduced early
in October of 1918, was based upon
study by Senator Weeks of the re-
construction plans which had been
worked out by European countries.
anticipatory of the day when peace