Evening star., 1919-05-04


which the vest army of ultimate con-
sumers" OF America are deeply inter
ested have for several years been the
source OF much conversation. thou
sands of speeches and many editorial
paragraphs, all due to the unprece-
dentedly rapid rise in price (not nee
essarily value) Of the aforesaid neces-
stiles.
1t seems to be the general supposi-
tion that the high cost of living Is
directly traceable to the purchase OF
such articles. Such conclusion may be
true. but to hurriedly close the lists
against other claimants for high hon
ors in the matter of price doubling
might result in unfair treatment
where such was far from being in
tended.
There's Congress. for instance!
The cost of running the congress
sional plant Of the United States gov
ernment has increased considerably
more than 100 per cent during the
past quarter OF century.
X
The total expenses of conducting
the Fifty second Congress, which
functioned during 1891. were $6.764,-
462. The expenses of the Sixty-hfth
Congress, which went out OF exist
ence on the 4th Of last March, aSsre-
gated $14.243.929.
Thus it will be seen that it costs
the taxpayers of this country $7.4IS.-
467 more for the holding Of term or
Congress at the present time than 1t
did a few years ago. and that bacon.
movies, etc. have nothing on that
useful, august and hard working body
so far as increased cost Is concerned.
The bulk of the increased cost OF
congressing is attributable to raising
Of salaries. increase in number or
members and additional employees or
various kinds. During the Fifty-sec-
ond Congress there were 35S mem
bers of the House. whereas there are
4ss members at the present time. an
increase Of seventy-nine in twenty
Ave years.
In the Fifty second Congress each
member represented an average popu-
lation of 174,sS5. At present each
congressman represents an average
popula ton OF 21l.s77.
II the taking of the census next
year by Director Sam Rogers shows
the increase in population that Is an
ticipated, it will be possible to add
many more members to the already
unwieldy body, with the consequent
increase of employees and cost OF run
ming the plant And this will be done.
too, IL the office n lding desires OF the
patriots all over the country are con-
sidered. On the other hand 1t Is bare
ly possible that between now and the
time for the passing Of the next con-
rressiona apportionment bill public
opinion may have become aroused
against further increasing the mem
bership. Possibly by that time there
will be such strong demand Tor
economy from the army OF ultimate
consumers that Congress will also
become imbued with the spirit OF
thrift and will amaze the taxpaying
throngs by not only deciding not to
increase its membership. but to reduce
tn0 HuulU0I VI "CthbSiS' ""'SA' "o-,~
result In greatly lessening the cost
and reducing the body to such an ex :
tent that it could conduct its delib-
erations in far more satisfactory
manner! However. such plan could
not be put over without encountering
strenuous opposition. Many present
members, whose districts would be
combined with others. and statesmen
at the forks of the creeks and in the
cities who have been patiently groom
ing themselves for congressional jobs.
would. doubtless. rise up and paw the
air frantically at even the hint of a
suggestion of decreasing instead Of
increasing the House memmbership.
1t ia Interesting to observe that so
crowded are the congressional dis
tricts in New York city that Meyer
I.ondon, the socialist, who has repre-
sented the twelfth district for the past
fonr wears, has a territory only 400
.cres in extent--just about large
enough for an after-supper stroll.
wives of congressman are partlcu-
larly interested In one phase OF the
trx