Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-01-22
EVENTS or A WEEK.

both branches of congress have adopt
ed resolutions restricting the armed
land force to $4,000 men. The war
department is instructed to discon-
tinue enlistments until the number of
men has been reduced to. this figure.
In the recommendations for a larger
personnel emphasis was>~placed on
the importance of maintaining in an
effective. manner several departments
which would, it is held, be crippled
by the proposed reduction. But con-
gress is apparently inclined to favor
radical reductions in military ex-
penditure and the lower figure was
approved by large majorities in both
houses.
The action taken on this subject
ma be taken to INDICATE the proba-
bility of some decided movement to-
ware reduction Of naval expenditure.
The Borah resolution providing for
negotiations to be undertaken with
Great Britain ano Japan for a COM
NOR naval reduction has been report
ed favorably by the foreign relations
committee. An amendment proposed
by Democratic members hat the
United States. participate in the arma-
men reduction conferences Of the
League OF Nations was rejected, as
was the proposal by Senator McCum-
Der that France and Italy be invited
to~join with the three nations named
in the original resolution. The reso-
luton was changed in one particular.
The references to the time and scope
OF proposed reductions were omitted,
sentiment being that these matters
should be left to the negotiators. The
resolution will be brought up for de-
bate during the coming week.
The house has gone on record in
favor OF keeping its membership
down to the present figure, ABS. The
bill in this form will undoubtedly be
accepted by the senate, and for the
first time, at least in a great many
years, q census year will have passed
without an increase in the house
membership. Twelve seats will be
shifted in the reapportionment.
u
What may be preliminary to an in
vestigation OF unusual interest is indi-
Gated in the suggestion made by Sam
uel Untermeyer of New York that
there be undertaken at once a de-
tailed investigation Of the department
Of justice and OF the activities of At
torney General Palmer as alien prop
erty custodian. Mr.. Untermeyer said
that there were sufficient indications
of improprieties in connection with
the work of the attorney general to
warrant an investigation. The charges,
lot directly made, but suggested, In
cHude annoyance by the department
of persons who nae incurred dis
favor of it's head. md the use of off
cial position to build up a political
machine. MIR. Palmer has replied
that he will welcome any investigation
Of his work that congress wishes to
undertake.
sAmong the important subjects
which have been the subject Of in
gquiry at Washington is the coal in
dnstry. In connection with the con-
I sheraton of the Calder bill in the
senate, providing for government reg
ulation of the coal business, there
have. been hearings en- various phases
OF the subject, and some startling
facts have been brought out with ref
eEEnce to the prices charged for coal
during the past ear. Representatives
ofsthe industry have protested against
tie passage of the bill on the ground
that it is unwarranted interference
with private Property interests, but
Ppere appears to be a strong senti.
ssant in congress that drastic rene.
us must be provided for the abuses
Witch have characterized this bust.
,sasss unless there are very clear indi.
cations Of voluntary reform.
sali,e Atlantic fleet is on its way
south for winter manoeuvres. A few
d4ys ago il passed through the Pan.
na canal and Joined the Pacific
on the other side. The combined
fGkce VIII proceed down the South
AGsaerican coast.
sHenators Harding may not properly
.bSe said to have burned his bridges
shk hind, him, hut he has settled up hi.
h&me 4alaaars at Marion and started
~ E1ortia for fhe last vacation
Z he will have before undertak.
Tho work which awaits: him q
NEA1hinSton No aeftnite announce.
- 10 cabinet positions has We,
is5gan made. ana none IS expected fol
ss1' ~ Iittle time Only in one cas-.
ssthsre appsar to be anything Hk,
illesA1aoreernent q 70 cabinet 20,
H. 1sfs1he secretaryship OF state i
knnivsrsally conceded to chas
Il 4 understoed that OF
the scabtnst places not ever
Ii6nass dsca1tcns have yet bess
"a k1l1tssE of LlsutenaIt Lanedol
96jasAss sentry IL vladtyostol
r subject of eonsiderAbl,
if11iT 1hese ~ ma dtspositief
y shaEss ~ Js1assasa -