The Carlisle independent., 1921-01-20


 We are ready to receive offers." And right there the Commission has had to stop. However, the friends of water power development have been busying themselves in Congress within the past two or three weeks and it is altogether likely that there will be early Legislation that will provide working force for the Fed eral Power Commission. It will then be possible to make the necessary in- vestigations and pass upon the pro- jects, and authorize the beginning of "water power development"
 Quite recently report was se- cured by courtesy of the War De- partment upon the project at Great Falls on the Potomac River, and it was favorable. A dam above Wash ington will be capable of supplying all the power of National Capital needs at a fraction of the cost now involved by the use of coal and steam.
 Penrose Back From Deaths Door
 Ever since President Wilson sailed for Europe the country has heard the rumblings of war between the Execu- tive branches of government. Their disputes have involved the Nation, and the Republican victory for the legisia- tive claim to be consulted freely in the matters of treaties, foreign poli- cies, etc. MT. Penrose, just arrived from Deaths Door, but apparently in as good fighting trim as ever, de- clares: Congress will hereafter blaze the way in our foreign policies and will not sit back and take the program of any Secretary of State. Cabinet possibilities are therefore of secondary importance at this time."
 Whatever else one may say about Mir. Penrose, all agree that "he knows what he is talking about" That is because he has the power in the Senate and in his party to make, break or spoil policies and plans of mice, men, politicians or statesmen. MT. Penrose voices a feeling that is supposed to be quite general in the Senate. Interpreted, it means that President Harding and his cabinet ministers need not expect to formu- late foreign policies without first con- sulting the Senate leaders. The Pen rose warning means that if this policy, as it has been carried out heretofore under former administrations, is at- tempted, that it will not meet with support in the Senate. The Senate has the whip hand, and Penrose and Company have already given notice that they propose to crack the lash.
 The Shortage of Homes
 In 1919 only about 10000 houses were built in the United States. The average in pre-war years was 350,O00 100000 family dwellings. While fig ures are not obtainable for 1920 the probabilities are that the record will be as bad as in 1919, if not worse.
 It is observed that the house short age does not materially affect the man with a salary of several thousand dol lars year, but wage-earners and those earning small salaries are hit "between the eyes" The overcrowd- ing of rooms is viewed by health off cials with anxiety. In all cities the downtown" rents are driving out those with small salaries. When they turn to the desirable suburbs it is to find that new housing operations are not caring for their wants. Investi- gators of civic improvements say that the country is in immediate need of a million and quarter homes.
 Particularly in the cities the neces- sity has arisen of getting out into the country" It is the logicals solu- tion of the family of small means, with a desire to live decently. Cou- pied with their problem is the diffi- culty that exists in local transporta- ton. The politicians continue to hammer the street railway lines, with the result that suburban lines are no longer being built in keeping with the demands of the public. To house either old or new, downtown" or in railway is as essential as other im- provements. The householder who can get a clean, comfortable, substan- tial home and good transportation, is able to live cheaper, and more sat satisfying to himself than is possible in the congested districts.
 Those who study the housing short age must look beyond their noses, and when they do they will find that the price of boards, nails, carpenters and bricklayers wages is only a part of