Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-06-27
The Haski11 Letter . ';s %:2z
400 MANY COOKS SP0IT= TTIF PIE
Washington, D. q, June 21.-That
political maioritv nav 10 TIM over

political majority may be too over
whelming for convenience, especially
when It consists in large part of new
congressman, is a fact which is now
being experienced by Republican lead
ers and privately admitted by some of
them.
Especially is the great number OF
Republican legislators at a disadvan-
tage when it comes to the all important
and always Irritating business of d.
viding up the pie. Vastly more energy
is always expended by congressman in
appointing postmasters, revenue col
lectors, marshals and elevator boys
than in studying any of the major
measures. 1t is easy to find con-
gresham who does not know anything
about the naval appropriation bill. but
impossible to find one who is not ac-
quainted with all the patronage fights
in his own district in all their painful
details. His reelection depends more
upon the tact and luck with
which he manages those same patron
age fights than upon anything else.
Now there are many jobs to be
awarded. but with this huge Republi-
can majority, there are also a great
many senator's and representatives
with constituents who expect to be hon
ored and incidentally remunerated.
With 300 Republican representatives
and SO Republican senator's, the scram-
BILE at the pie counter has never been
So lively.
One result of the situation. which
is growing more acute, is q conflict be-
tween the Republican majority in con-
gress and the executive departments
Of the government. The 359 Repub
licans in the senate and house are feel
ing the squeeze from both sides Their
constituents, who regard themselves as
the people who made possible sweep
ing Harding into office with a ire
mendous majority. and the election of
a topheavy Republican majority. par
ticularly in the lower branch of con-
gress, now are demanding some recog-
milton of their work in the campaign
These claims are being taken up and
pressed as vigorously as possible by
every Republican member of congress.
With $50 men in Washington continu-
ally urging upon half dozen cabinet
officers the appointment of this man
and that man, these cabinet officers
are getting frazzled nerves. A few
members of the cabinet are practically
free Of this sort of pressure, having
departments with very few political
plums to dispense.
Every cabinet officer. of course,
with a large and important executive
department to direct and control, has
a mans size job. exclusive of making
appointments. With new tax pro-
gram, a permanent tariff bill to be
enacted. and host of other legislat-
i've matters to be attended to. con-
gress also has plenty to do. but pat
ronage is a matter which cannot be
neglected Hence the busy congress
man calls upon the busy cabinet mem
Der, and the result is mutual boredom
and irritation.
At least one member of the cabinet
has denied himself to about everybody
from the capitol A certain importan.
member Of the house organization, on
trying to see this cabinet member, not
only was refused. but went back to the
capitol boiling with rage when he was
not permitted even to see the cabinet
officers secretary.
As result Of this, it is said, when
the appropriation for that department
is brought before congress, this secre-
tary may find his salary reduced. Con-
gressional dignity is touchy thing:
Gradually. Of course, the situation
will be worked out Right now it is a
serious one in Republican ranks. The
smaller workers in the Republican or
CARNATIONS throughout the country
feel that they should have jobs. after
eight years of Democratic admins
tration. In fact they need them. Their
appeal. Of course. is to their repre-
sentatives and senator's. These men
take up their appeals and carry them
on to the departments having the right
of appointment The fact that there