Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1920-12-23
NEWS CONDENSED
Home and Abroad Of Inter-
est to Everybody.
RITOME OF LATE DOINGs
WASHINGTON NEWS.

nol6aA Oh most Oh INC wal NAAAC Jaws
was voted Tuesday by the house,
which adopted the volstead resolu-
ton for that purpose after two hours
Of debate. The vote on adoption of
the resolution was unanimous. 1913
votes being recorded as favoring it.,
with none opposed. The house, be-
fore taking the final vote, accepted
an amendment providing for inclusion
Of the Lever food control act among
the laws which the resolution would
repeal
Nearly one-half Of the nations rec
ord-breaking overseas commerce in
the past fiscal year was carried in
American ships, Secretary Alexander
shows In his annual report, made pub
lie Wednesday. The overseas trade
reached the unprecedented total of
$I1 ,S75, 424, 900, and $5,O71 600 Of it
was carried in American-owned yes
sells, as against $685. 900 carried
in American bottoms the year before
the war.
The cotton crop, which began the
season in the worst condition in fifty
years, has turned out to be the big
gest crop since 1914, with a produc-
tioA Of 12,987,000 bales, according to
fiaai estimates announced Tuesday by
the department of agriculture. The
lateness of winter, the department
said, has helped to increase the size
Of the crop by permitting the plant,
which was late in getting started, to
mature.
Need Of far-sighted government
policy with respect to many Of the
country's internal affairs is empha-
sized Ia the annual report Of Secre-
taTy Payne, made public Monday at
the interior department. Lack of a
defiaite aim was said to affect particu-
larry the administration of activities
in Alaska, in dealing with the Indian
tribea. In preservation of the national
parks and forests and again in hand
king the greater reconstruction prob
lem Of maintaining high agricultural
production.
There are still seventy-One widows
Of veterans of the war of 1919 on the
rods OF the pension office, according
to 4 report from the commissioner OF
pensions. OF the army that campaign
ed during the war against Mexico of
1s48 there are still 148 veterans and
24g3 widows drawing pensions from
49,,
Complications Of the international
controversy over oil In Mexico was
forecast Thursday by adVices to the
state department that the provisional
government of Mexico had granted
scores of permits for the exploration
and exploitation of petroleum in the
federal zones, Notwithstanding the
protest filed by the United States gov
eminent last August.
The net cost OF the war to the
American government was fixed by
Secretary Houston Friday at $4,000
100000. This, he said, represented
the adjusted" expenditure of the
treasury, excluding all other outlay
which had no relation to the actual
prosecution OF the war during the
period from April 6. 1917. to June 80,
last, which he said covered the ex-
tremes Of the governments wartime
fiscal operations.
The American people were asked
Thursday by President Wilson to ire
spOnd as they can" to the appalling
cry for help" from famine stricken
China. At the same time Mr.. Wilson
announced the appointment of COM
mittee Of $50 men and women in all
parts Of the country to collect the
funds contributed. Our diplomatic
and consular agencies in China in
form US, said the president. that the
loss resulting from death in distress
ing form may run into millions of
sOals"
The shipping board made public
Friday consolidated balance sheet
as Of June 80, 1920" giving financial
transactions Of the board and the
Emergency Fleet Corporation from
their inception in 1917 to that date.
1t showed total liabilities and assets
OF sS.5S7, $3.50, 1884