The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1921-01-20
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL
BY j. L. Jones

joined with republican senators in
overriding the veto.
Evidently the day of "one-man gov
ernment," and presidential interfer-
ence' has passed, just as it passed
eight years ago, when the then presi-
dent, William H. Taft, found his pow
er and influence over congress swept
away by an adverse vote Of the peo-
pie in the November election. Mr..
Taft made economy and efficiency"
in the affairs of government his par
ticular pet, but congress would not
even permit him to maintain the
credit for his zeal in behalf of these
needed objects in government; and
they pushed his pleas aside, just as
they did the other day with President
Wilson in overwhelming his veto.
Former President Roosevelt had the
same experience when he retired from
office, and on March 4 he was still
fighting battles hat had lasted from
the previous November.
"O IN iSiliAloSo ohSS 'H~N
nothing succeeds like success" be-
cause four years ago Mr.. Wilson's
veto would doubtless have been sus-
tanned. A defeated president, with his
party power likewise repudiated, has
a hard time of it. 1t almost converts
one to the belief that the term of the
presidency should cease with the be-
ginning of the session of congress in
December, instead Of dragging along
for four fighting months.
Nevertheless, we are reminded by
the experiences of President Wilson
and ex-President Taft that after all
the supreme power in the government
rests with the people themselves. No
one can find any semblance of zone
man" government in the present stu
alton.
There were practically the same
number of water powers in AZ B. c.
as now, even though fewer of them
were developed, and in that year one
Publius Sayrus wrote: amid a null
titude of projects, no plan is de-
vised." This observation applies as
correctly to the condition with ref
erence to water powers today as it
did when it was first written. The
difference is that projects" have been
filed to the number of 140 with the
federal power commission, but that
official body has no n to do the
investigating that is required by the
law that created it. Because of a
very meagre appropriation the com.
mission has been able simply to put
it's head above water, and to say, in
effect: 1--WE are ready to receive
your Offers" And right there the COM
mission has had to stop. However,
the friends of water power develop
ment 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 a working force for the
federal power commission. 1t will
then be possible to make the necess-
sary Investigations and pass upon the
projects, and authorize the beginning
of water power development"
Quite recently a report was secured
by courtesy of the war department
upon the project at Great Falls on
the Potomac river, and it was favor
able. A dam above Washington will
be capable of supplying all the power
the national capital needs, at a frac-
ton of the cost now involved by the
use of coal and steam.
Ever since President Wilson sailed
for Europe the country has heard the
rumblings of wal between the execu-
tive and legislative branches of gov
eminent. Their disputes have in
volved the whole nation, and the re-
publican victory in the campaign can
o be construed otherwise than as
a victory for the legislative claim to
be consulted freely in the matters of
treaties, foreign policies, etc. Mr.. Pen
rose, just arrived from deaths door,
Jul uppoi Clti III uS SOOu HSllllS u III
as ever, declares: Congress will here
after 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
Mr.. Penrose, all agree that "he knows
what he is talking about" That is
because he has the power in the sem
ate and in his party to make, break
or spoil policies and plans of mice,
men, politicians or statesmen. Mr..
Penrose voices a feeling that Is sup
posed to be quite general in the SEN
ate. Interpreted, it means that Presi-
dent Harding and his cabinet minis
tiers need not expect to formulate for
eign policies without first consulting
the senate leaders. The Penrose
warning means that If this policy,
as 1t has been carried out heretofore