Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-12-10
LEGISLATIVE PLAN
SCORED by WEEKS

NEW YORK., Dec. 8.-The pres
ent system of organization in con-
gress, whereby control is divided be-
tween numerous committees, may,
elf carried to it's logical conclusion"
divide the United States Unto hostile
factions or groups" and leave the
country ''powerless to defend or
maintain it's interests, national or in
ternational," John w. Weeks, sec.
rotary Of war, said today in an adj
dress before the, convention Of the
Association Of Life Insurance Presi-
dents.
Contrasting the present situation
with recent administration char
acterized by reference to a ''big
stick" Mr.. Weeks said:
''It was not many years ago that
we heard stories about a "big
stick which was supposed to be used
in driving congress into a state Of
tractability and force the enact
ment Of laws desired by the execu-
tive. The truth, however, is that
while the executive was mastery
man Of dominating personality and
characteristics, he was a party man
and those in the legislative branch
Of the government were equally so.
They believed in government by
party and that the responsibility
under such government should be
observed even by those who might
doubt the wisdom of the proposed ac-
ton. The result was that the lead
ers in the senate and in the house
consulted the executive and together
they formulated the policies to be fol
lowed. Quite frequently, no doubt,
the executive in some instances
urged and perhaps imposed his
views on the congressional leaders;
but invariably these men returned
to the capitol to carry out the de-
cision reached at the conference, and
the members of that party in the
senate and house, recognizing the
necessity of responsible action, sup
ported them in their endeavors.
"Then came a reform, or it was so
heraIded, in the conduct Of the house
Of representatives. The power Of &C.
ton, which had largely rested with
the speaker and through him with
the committee on rules, was taken
away and divided among commit
tees. The result think it has been
clearly demonstrated-is that it is i'm
possible to get the type Of legislative
action which comes from party regu-
larity and responsibility"
81 can recall" said Mr.. Weeks,
Gin the days Of so-called Cannonisn,
when Mr.. Cannon was called car,
as would have been any other man
Of strength filling the speakers chair
under those conditions, that the
speaker found ways, perfectly legiti-
mate under the rules, to prevent
the enactment Of a vast amount Of
personal and irresponsible legisla-
ton.
ITO my mind, the change has had
a tendency to weaken effective gov
eminent, has resulted in irresponsi-'
BILE legislation, prevented both parties
from carrying out pledges made in
their platforms and, in time, will
divide the legislative branch Of the
government into groups, each group
championing q special cause, and
will see one group combining with
another to bring about a control of
legislative action in the interest Of
a particular faction.
'While we may not degenerate to
the level of some countries in this
respect, carried to it's logical con-
clusion we may eventually find our
selves divided into hostile factions
or groups, one class plundered by
another, and the country powerless.
to defend or maintain it's interests,
national or international"
Not only the United States, but
the whole world sis slowly but sure
Iy returning to normal" the secre-
tary Of war declared. This country,
he said, is emerging from a condi-
ton of chaos" after passing through
a period Of mental and physical adj
justment as logical result Of the
war.
The farmer-"the backbone Of the
country"-was the first to feel the
effects Of postwar deflation, the Sec
rotary said, but added that "the
farmer could mot be entirely absolv-
ed from blame" for his present sit
uation as he should have foreseen
the inevitable collapse Of values.
eft did not please him." said Mr..
Weeks, "to find that combinations
of labor or combinations Of any
thing else were able to keep up the
prices of his necessities, and he turn
ed to legislation to bring about a
condition which would give him a
chance to adjust his situation.
'I shall not take the time to crlt1-
cize the legislation congress has en-
acted for the benefit Of the farmer.
1t was brought about by combina-
ton Of members of the two great
political parties which had sufficient
votes to obtain the result desired.
Some Of this legislation may benefit
those for whom it was enacted.
Much of it is unsound, however,
from an economical standpoint, and
very much doubt if it will be of
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