River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1921-12-22
Our Weekly Letter
From Washington
By James A. Frear, M. c.

ny O1"No - ANoAs NAs VI
Probably the best Christmas pres
ent given to the people of the world
in recent years will be found in the
World Disarmament Conference row
holding it's sessions in this city. Chair
man Kelly of the Naval sub-commit-
tee told me he estimated that the
Hughes plan of naval reduction, now
adopted, will mean saving OF $780,
100000 annually to this country alone.
Its affect ON nine nations partlcipa-
ting in the conference is practically
to reduce taxes and remove war or
dangers of war alarms for ten years,
and this is another Christmas gift
of Invaluable value. Settlement OF
Far East difficulties between China
and japan has reached a definite
stage so that according to the Chinese
most of the power and territory here
tofore taken away will now be given
back to China. The proposal to have
England, France, Japan and the Unit
ed States not disturb their respective
control of islands in the Pacific car
ries further possibilities of peace, al
though it is strongly opposed in the
Senate, which must confirm the new
treaty Opposition occurs through
a belief that any alliance is entang-
ling. One interesting result of the
conference is found in an agreement
that Japan will respect all islands in
the Pacific now controlled by the
United States, while on the other
hand we agree not to fortify any of
the far eastern islands. This leaves
the Philippines practically foot loose
and. the only demand for continued
control by the United States appears
to come from those who want to de-
velop and exploit the islands.
Christmas is bringing TO the world
message of Peace on earth, good
will toward men and that is good
news during an age when things gen
orally seemed to be going wrong.
When we hear of conditions in prac-
tically every other country of the
world, we may well shake hands with
ourselves and be grateful that times
and conditions are no worse. Tales OF
wholesale starvation in Russia, Ar
menia and elsewhere with destroyed
business conditions throughout the
world, make our own troubles, public
and private serious as they are, seem
small by way of comparison. :
Several months ago, the writer
stated in these letters that due to the
Presidents order requiring ccrtifica-
tioIi by the Civil Service Commission
of post office candidates no interfer-
ence would be offered to recommends
lions made by the Commission, except
ing where widespread opposition ex-
listed locally against the one so certl-
fled, or in rare cases wherein the
writer would not wish to be foreclos-
ed, none of which cases have occurred
up to the present time. Every Civil
Service Report must run the gaunt-
let of the post office department and
confirmation by the Senate, so that
without right to make selection at
the outset, any interference by Mem
bers involves countless and needless
difficulties. The Civil Service COM
mission calls examinations without
consulting Members. At that time
and later when examinations are held,
the various candidates secure letters
and petitions. These were considered
affective under Ahe old system. but so
far as observed now neither the Civil
Service Commission nor the Depart
ment is affected by such communica-
lions and candidates are rated on ex-
aminations apparently without regard
to letters or petitions. This IS as
sumed, because of examinations where
successful candidates were never
heard of by the writer and in other
cases the three highest names certi-
fled have all been new to me, but are
people who were persuaded to, take
the examination through widespread
notice given by the Civil Service Conf
mission. 1t is all important for candi-
dates to have high rating in exam
nations by the Commission. Letters
and petitions are forwarded by me to
the department when requested to do
so. even if of no affect with the COM
mission and Qualifications have not
been interfered with for reasons stat
ed.
The sales tax issue promises to be
urged this session by powerful inter-
ests and trip to Canada by some
forty members occurred during the re-
cess for the purpose of ascertaining
the merits of the Canadian sales tax.
Although strongly urged to go, with
the assurance that no obligation would
be implied by going. No Wisconsin
Member took part in the trip. In past
years the writer, largely at personal
expense, has examined many water
ways, north and south, the Phillip
pines on which committee services had