The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-08-16

senior senator. than whom no member Of recen,
year congresses has contributed the people
OF the nation and state in peace time.
Epoch Making Laws
Before the monster struggle was dreamed O,
Senator Fletcher had made unusual record In
the passage OF constructive laws including the
farm loan act. and when the storm broke he as
chairman of the great committee on COM
merce took the lad in establishing the United
| States Shipping Board, which astounded the
world by the manner in which 1t bulded ships in
which to transport troops and supplies "Over
There"
| And in spite Of the demands made upon him
throughout the period by President Wilson the war
navy and other departments he with his office
workers have always found time to comply with
sttuents
Senator Fletcher is completing his second
term in the upper house Of congress, and friends
| throughout Florida insist will be returned
for third term-that his record in peace, in war
has entitled him to this honor. and that time
has Florida been in greater need of service of
men of his type. His work for the state political
y and otherwise. prior to his election to the
ate is too well known TO make mention necessary
| Committees Show Standing.
| But for his ability and standing Senator
Fletcher would not have been given the chairman
ship OF the committee commerce which takes
the place of the house committees rivers and
harbors, food control and merchant marine and
mttee until the republicans gained control OF the
senate. and is it's ranking democratic
member. All matters affecting shipping. steam
boat inspection service. lighthouse service aids to
navigation service. and legslstion affect
ing rivers and harbors within the jurisdic-
ton Of the committee which therefore the most
important of all congressional committees to F1ori
da. That committee handled bill which Great
ed the shipping board. The committee which met
almost daily during the last session of congress.
also passed bills providing for the housing and
transporting OF shipbulding employees.
Senator Fletcher Is also a member OF the COM
mittee military affairs and has taken active
part legislation affecting the army and in
the Investigations of the department He was
a member, also, of the judiciary committee and
during the s5th congress served sub-commit-
tees and conference committees most Of the i'm
portant measures which that committee handled
the espionage bill. the sabotage bill. extern
sion Of the powers of the president. and the like
The Farm Loan Act.
He is member Of the committee banking
currency placed there by request of members,
in order that they might have the benefit of his
services and knowledge in connection with the OPP
Grafton of the farm loan act He originated the
whole subject of rural credts-financial relief to
the farmers He introduced the first bill the
subject. He chairman of the American COM
mission of from each state and OF the United
States commission appointed by President Wilson
to cooperate with the American commission in a
tour Of European countries and study of the
rious systems of agricultural finance in opera
ton in the older countries. The commission col
lected mass of material, which he had printed as
public document, comprising thousand pages.
and which formed the basis Of the legislation I'M
der which the farmers of the country now hav-
ing their needs met at five per cent annum in
terest with per cent acknowledgements off
principle and interest at total charge of six per
cent per annum the money borrowed.
| Millions have been advanced to farmers
throughout the country that basis under the law
which he, more than any other man, is responsible
for President Wilson recognized that when he pre-
scented to Senator Fletcher the gold with which
he affixed his approval of the farm loan act
Senator Fletcher is also member of the COM
mittee public health and national quarantine
which Is of great importance to Florida; the COM
mittee on the Philippines, and chairman Of the
joint committee printing. which acts a board
of directors of the government printing office-the
worlds largest printing plant. at which 5000 men
night day.
Because of his exacting duties he had to re-
sign the presidency of Southern Commercial Con-
gress but he retains the presidency of the Florida
Society of Washington. He is honorary presiden,
OF the Southern Commercial Congress- and mem
Der of the joint international high commission o,
which the secretary of the treasury chairman.
| Work for Florida.
| When 1t to specific instance direct
material benefits to Florida, only to in
quire at the departments to find that Senator
Fletcher has been behind every them Com
parsons In the matter of service are permits
sible but the record shows that F1oridians have
for being proud OF and grateful of the record
of their senior senator. Camp Johnston is his work
unquestionably; Dinner Key. Cutler and Arcadia
stations he took active part establishing
beginning with having the sites inspected and fol-
lowing the matters to successful conclusion.
Other work that may partially credited to
him includes:
The fisheries station at Key West improve
ments and extensions reservations: improve
ment of the channel in the harbor and like;