River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1922-02-02
Our Weekly Letter
From Washington
FROM JAS. A. FREAR, M. G.

the government Tor one Drancn Oh
Federal activities and 5000, 900 adj
vertising bill to be financed by Con-
gress is another item of expense con-
tanned in the United States Shipping
Board and Emergency Fleet Appro-
priations for 1928 Two officials at
$4,000 each, one at $4,000, two at
$4,000, seven at $4,000 and fifteen
at $1,000 per year are among the
salaries paid. An even score of Of
ficials receive $4,000 PER year and
from that down to $4,000 embraces a
small army. In contrast Y. 5.
Senator campaign expenses and all
gets $500. 1t is explained that the
Shipping elephant is a legacy Of the
war and attorneys are needed to pro-
tect the government against claims
aggregating $300,0O0,000 growing out
of war contracts for ships built OF in
process of building. 100000 is APP
propriated to advertise 400 American
ships that are now operated or main
tanned with an annual deficit or loss
of $50,0O0,OOO. Captious criticism is
not intended and it is conceded some
losses are unacceptable as heritage
Of war, but this shipping board ele-
plant is a heavy load in war times
or peace that has been continued
scandal since Hog Island was discov-
cred in 1917.
The same sundry civil bill carries
nearly 100000 for government
activities including the Federal
Trade Commission which was cut
100000. The Pittsburgh plus steel
extortion and Packers prices and.
numerous other unjust business prac-
tees disclosed by the Trade Commits
sion brought flock of harpoonists on
its trail. This commission is the one
governmental body that has tried to
protect the consuming public although
all its labors have cost less than the
one item of advertising fees allowed
the Shipping Board. Another item
Of $4,000 heretofore appropriated for
travel and other expenses to the Fine
Arts Commission that gives its serv-
ice free was cut to $4,000 The writer
is no art critic but this commission
passes on designs of Federal build
ings, on parks on landscapes, through
ont the country, etc. Congressman
Coorer of Wisconsin and Mann OF IL
linois strongly urged that as much
be allowed for commission expenses
as are allowed in the bill for any one
Of the IS attorneys employed by the
Shipping Board but the committee
was hard hearted and so strained az
the fine arts commission while it
swallowed whole Shipping Board
y.,esagerie of camels.
The farm gathering in this city has
come and gone. Some legislation will
result from the meeting helpful to
existing agricultural conditions. Those
representing well known farm organi-
cations complained through the press
that delegates in attendance repres-
ented meat packers, and New York
financiers among their numbers. One
good result will come from wide pub
licity given farming conditions that
are in vital need Of relief 1t has
brought to the country that every in
dustry rests primarily on it's food sup
ply, that freight rates are taking
from the farmer an undue share OF
the low price he gets for his product
and that the country has deep per-
sonal concern in agricultural pros
perity. Several important agricultur-
al measures have been passed by Con-
press this session and others are now
on the program as soon as deflnlte
plans are offered, although co-opera-
ton, marketing and similar proposals
relate more to needed policies, BUSH
ness methods and economic conditions
that require close cooperation.
The Anti-Lynching bill passed the
House by an overwhelming vote of
230 for the bill to 119 against. 1t now
goes to the Senate and provides that
any officer in whose custody pris-
oner is placed shall be held criminally
liable If he does not use all reasonable
precautions to prevent lynching.
Members of the mob are also held on
conviction to long term imprison-
ment, prosecutions to be in Federal
courts. The county where the victim
is siezed is held liable to pay $4,000
to the relatives of the deceased by
action in the same court While adj
niittedly aimed at cruel lynching OF
negroes in the South the law would
apply to every state and its moral eff
feet is probably as great as the Grim
inal and damage penalties.
A Republican conference last week