Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1920-01-23

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Congress has spent more than a
million dollars of the peoples money
in junkets, and has nothing to show
for the expenditure.
Congress has failed to enact legis-
lation to put the country back on
peace basis. This includes much
the shipping board, the army, the
navy, and other important branches
of the government converted into
| fighting machines for the World war.
Leaders of this Republican con-
gress have devoted most of their time
to attacks on the Wilson administra-
ton, and to creating a bad impress
sion abroad This has been done
without marring the records of the
Democratic congresses and the exec
utive administration under President
Wilson. Every sort of cheap gossip
has been circulated by Republicans
high in the councils of their party.
Hundreds of mean, often malicious
stories have been told of administra-
ton officials, but none of them have
received credence.
The prospects are for a continue
ton of the sorry methods of the Re-
publicans. Being unable to put
through constructive legislation the
leaders of congress will gossip.
In their serious moments Repub-
lican leaders Of congress admit that
they resume their legislative duties
with great apprehension. They fear
their inability to SHOW" the people
that they can put through q con-
structive program. They have cam
ouflaged through eight months of the
Sixty-sixth congress but will not be
able to keep up the bluff or deception
until the next election. Railroad.
tariff, and other problems with which
the business interests of the country
are concerned, must be passed upon
or there will be trouble. The Re-
publican leaders realize that, and will
bestir themselves to make a show of
activity.
Democratic leaders Of congress are
nimble witted, and will see to 1t that
the public is informed as to the real
purposes of their opponents. Sena-
tors Hitchcock and Underwood are
smoking out" the Republicans on
the peace treaty. They are uncover
ing Mr.. Lodge and the rest Of the
Wilson hating group. In the house
Messrs. Champ Clark and Claude
Kitchin will continue to expose the
chickering's of the Gillett-Mondell
leaders
The Republicans have reached the
critical place in their fight to en-
trench themselves at the federal pie
counter for years to come. They have
gone along with the belief that their
platform pledges of 1918 would not
have to be carried out. They hoped
their noise about alleged short
comings of the Democrats would fool
the masses.
1t is now apparent that the aver
age voter has more intelligence than
they gave him credit for. The people
show signs of holding the Penrose-
Hays organization to a strict account
ability, and If that is done the record
of the party in congress will Obtrude
itself and refuse to be ignored.
The Republican leaders are "up
tree" and may not be able to get
down in time for the 1920 election.
Many of them hope to carry the cleo
ton by false pretenses and the use Of
money.
There is increasing dissatisfaction
among army officers over the delay OF
the reorganization bills. Republican
congressman responsible for originat-
ing army legislation are being criti-
cized for the situation, which threat
ems the disntegration OF the splendid
forces organized during the world
war. The air service has been badly
crippled by the stingy policy OF the
house steering committee, which is
said to take it's cues from higher up,
and now other units of the army are
held in suspense while young officers
resign and accept private positions.
Brigadier General F. c. Marshall
of the army compares present condi-
lions with those of the early days
following the Civil war. He says
that the army is breaking up.
The Republicans tried to shift to
the Democrats all the responsibility
for the lack Of preparedness for war
when the call came to meet Germany,
and kept clamoring until they par
TALLY covered many of their sins Of
omission. Their present policy is
similar to that of their former adj
ministrations.
1.-THE army is in grave danger"
said General Marshall. "And this
danger is best expressed in the