Norwich bulletin., 1921-02-22
WASHINGTON AFFAIRS
Especial to The Bulletin.)

I intentions, but men of power in congress, | l like Fordney, who has just returned from ] Florida, Mondell, floor leader, Curtis, re- | publican whip of the senate, and others | | who are in a position to know, unhes- 1 itatingly fix the date as April 4, unless an emergency calls for an earlier one. | Some of the senators were anxious 10 | press the president and cabinet into ac tive service immediately after the inaugu- ration, but it is known MT. Harding be- lieves both he and his official family
 should be given at least a month to con- slider and make the important appoint n1ents of assistant secretaries, heads of commissions and bureaus, and take very complete account of stock before they start out on the grave reconstruc- tion plans which they are called upon to face. Until after the democratic chiefs are actually out of the way, and the rec ords of their offices open to the new Sec retaries, no genuine work can be accom- pliShed by the new administration. And it is believed a months time is none too much This opinion is shared by house
 leaders who realize that committee as- sisnments, and other details of getting
 the house into working order. after the great landslide which puts into office } third or more new members cannot be accomplished. even with steady hard work, in much less time.
 Predictions are that Speaker Gillett and Floor Leader Mondell will be re- elected, although undoubtedly some radi- , calls will rise in opposition and suggest . the names of men more to their taste. It is also probable a return to the for naer custom of selecting for whip of the lhouse a man of considerable power, in 7 stead of turning over that office to some . new conner who is delighted with the op , portunity. to ''f1y 'round' and rush mem
 
 senate has never departed from the GUS tom of giving the office of whip to a man whose knowledge and experience !. wins for him the confidence of his col 7 leagues. Senator Curtis of Kansas, one | of the most influential and hard working T leaders of the senate has held that office for some years-and this year he was ' also named assistant floor leader as well, { and now is the right hand man of Sena- Il tor Lodge. Such a man is sure not to D fall down on the job when an emergen- cy arises, and some recent experience of n house leaders has proved to them the wis c dom of following the lead, of the senate. h and return to the old time custom of the n house. Who will be the new whip is not
 l determined, but it will be a man of
 power and influence, if the caucus to be - held in the near future carries out the r present intentions of house leaders.
 C The near revolt over the committee 1t of S5 who now make recommendations 1t op all appropriations seems to have been 1T smothered, but some change in methods n of appointment of that committee is ,5 foreseen. There is much discontent evi- = denced over the methods of selecting , ~ those 35 men and although the budget t system will unquestionably be adopted le and an appropriation committee perform II the same functions as the one now exist
 ing, the opinion here is that some new
 method of selecting it's makeup will b.
 adopted during the next congress.
 Is Although the inauguration ceremonies 1t will be extremely simple, nevertheless t. there will be some military display as If mounted escort of cavalry, a big polic .- force, both mounted and unmounted, ant considerable soldier force is deemed io necessary to ensure the safety of tn 10 president-elect and the general public e- The Marine band will play on the capito l- plaza not far from the white stand al re ready erected for the president-elect, o il which he will take his oath and delive -- his inaugural address to the people o h. the country. It is expected the addres ~ will be unusually brief, as the entir '" company must stand during it's deliver
 and as MT. Harding will soon address tn SC country and congress through his frs e- message to congress at the opening c as l the extra session. President Wilson ha as not yet determined whether or not he wi e. attempt to be present at the capitol a |; the close of the session. Rumors, an H informal White House talk, says that h as will, but the president himself is silent o oI the question and much doubt is espresso se here as to his physical ability to stan Is, the strain and nervous excitement of tn O. occasion.
 he President Wilson will follow the GU: mt tom of all his predecessors and leave tn ls- White House on March 4th at noon, wit ed luncheon laid in the great state dinin ,,o room, ready for the incoming presider ,,e and his personal guests. Usually the il ,io coming president has for his luncheo K guests the members of his cabinet an he their families, and a few personal friend he and political advisors. What MT. Hart to ing will do along this line of entertain ,b- ment has not been made known.
 si- With only eight more working da!
 for congress left in this session, it's gre pretty safe prediction that the req appo lon tionment bill will not be taken uo ,et the senate and the whole matter will
 over to the spring session. A big effo is being made to clear up all the appr Lae priation bills, but whether or not u he navy bill will weather the storm of u n- Borah onslaught against a navy of "pr the paredness size" is still uncertain. Shou ate appropriation bills fail to pass it m; ; necessitate the calling of the extra SC
 sion earlier than April 4th, the date nc
 tentatively fixed on by MT. Harding.
 Congressmen Merritt and Tilson we
 bitterly disappointed over the failure . the patent bill to go through with t
 federal trade commission clause elin i've mated. They believe the salaries of ps ]. ent office employees should be raised a
 the force increased. They do not belle son in putting the power of regulation or S; mo- of patents into other hands, and togetf with Senator Brandegee worked unt
 ingly to have the objectionable featul - of the bill eliminated. When the I was before the house MT. Merritt me '111 Der of the interstate commerce comm
 tee spoke forcefully against that featl
 of the bill and denounced the propos nts- system of licensing by the federal tra the commission, as unfair and detrimental
 the best interests of the country. S
 he in closing "In my judgment it will ,.., more to iniure and revolutionize the D
 ., ent system of the country than anyth ee else could do." Senator Brandegee V
 the one member of the patent commit ,, in the senate Hho refused to sign a lhe vorable report on the bill.
 hsas New England men have fought h
 against the emergency tariff bill in
 present form, but have been beaten ions every turn by the combined strength tici- west and some southern sections wt and benefit under the bill. They condemn
 bill as sectional unfair and not ta
 measure. Congressman Tilson of ways and means committee summed it S and when he said You can't have 1lec' trade in one part of the country and I