River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1921-02-17
Our Weekly Letter
From Washington
BY James A. Frear, NJ. c.

to certain railroads and to the A. r.
Express Company during the six
months following Federal control"
have quoted from the majority re-
port in the House. The minority re-
port says; 1.-THE deficit for the six
months exceeds 100000, or
more than half the annual eXpendi-
lures of the Federal government prior
to the war, all of which is to be paid
the railroads out of the government
treasury. Increases in freight rates
and passenger rates given by the In
terstate Commerce Commission have
raised rates to practically double
those in force before the European
war in some instances, yet with all
this tremendous increase in charges
the treasury is compelled to pay un-
der the railroad law an amount esti-
mated at over half-billion dollars In
order to guarantee sc on the invest
ment. Government Az Victory Bonds
are now sold at a discount that nets
6eo to purchasers, whereas prior to
the war government $50 bonds were
above par. Recent efforts to float new
attractive railway securities at 7Io
have been quickly taken so that plen-
ty of money is to be had when proper
security is offered. The short line
small roads have had hard time, but
that has usually been the case until
eventually absorbed by the large
roads that control connections, serv
ice and other joint business relations.
The amy bill passed the House at
1925, 100000 or less than one-half the
amount estimated by the War Depart
ment and the appropriation bill was
cut to support an army OF l50,0O0
men instead of 100000 asked for by
Secretary Baker. Another signifi-
cant act occurred when the resolution
limiting the army to $4,000 men was
passed by both House and Senate ov-
erwhelmingly and went to President
Wilson for his signature. He vetoed
it and insisted the number 100000
men provided by law should not be
reduced. When his veto was read to
the House it received only 16 sup
porting votes to 271 Republicans and
Democrats who alike OVERRIDE the We
to. In the Senate the result was more
sensational for the vote stood 81 to
/ against the President. Kirby, a
Democratic Senator, alone supported
President Wilson. Probably nothing
in history approaches such pronounc-
ed reputation OF an Executives ac-
ton by his own party The law now
limits the army to 175,000 men, al
though it could quickly be enlarged
to many times that number due to its
skeleton form of organization. The
appropriation for 1921, however, will
only support an army of 100000 men.
This is apart from the National Guard
This is apart from the National Guard
fense."
Many people supposed Mr.. Harding
was elected last November but they
only voted for 531 electors in the ell
ectorial college who were divided be-
tween the two candidates. These ell
ectors of each state met at the differ
ent state Capitols the first of this
year and announced their preference
for President. Thirty-seven states
gave 404 electoral votes, including
the Ii votes from Wisconsin, to Hard
ing, and II states with 127 votes went
to Cox, who received the 10 solid
southern states and also Kentucky.
These votes were sent to Washington
and opened in the presence OF the
Senate and House at one p. m. Feb
ruary 9th by Vice President Marshall,
who in turn handed the returns to the
four tellers, Senators Lodge and I'm
derwood and Representatives Lampert
of Wisconsin and Rucker of Missouri.
They announced the decision in turn
and as one good turn deserves anoth-
er, Congressman Lampert's dozen
states included Wisconsin with its Ii
votes for Harding, which he read with
pleasure.
Three experts from the treasury
have been giving aid to the writer in
his effort to present clear construct
i've tax proposal to the Ways and
Means Committee next session. Dur
ing the tendency of he Soldiers
Compensation bill last session such a
proposal was offered and among 9th
er acts the House rejected sales
tax or consumption tax which is be-
ing again vigorously pressed for pas
sage by powerful Eastern business in
terests. Predictions are made that
such law will be passed, but oppo-
sition is being expressed from unex-
pected sources and the writer's re-