The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1922-10-05

of the President. 1t was an exped-
iency on the part of Congress. When
it came to a choice between "com-
MISSIONS" "boards." or the alter
native of greater executive power"
the latter method was quite natural
ly chosen. 1t is always easy to
pass on added responsibilities to one
like the President who is the ac-
knowledged leader.
So marked has the tendency been
towards the extension of executive
power in the Federal government
that but little attention has been
aroused by the constant transfer OF
legislative functions to the Presi-
dent. The reason is plain enough.
The people have demanded leaders;
and whenever there has been strike
or even a prize fight, the popular
cIamor has been tlIat the Presi-
dent should interfere. A positive,
aggressive man in the White House
appeals to popular favor. This has
been made evident SO often in re-
cent years that it has grown to be
regarded as perfectly right and pro-
per that the executive power should
be increased whenever new tasks OF
Government are undertaken.
wAsHINGToN's BUILDING
Seven years ago Washington had
a population of about 100000 people.
This has increased to more than
100000. There was a big exodus
following the signing of the ARMS
tice. but when the war-workers left
their places were taken by people
who have become permanent resi-
dents of the Capital. Apartment
houses and residences that will house
thousands of people are now spring
ing up everywhere in the city, and
there is vertiable building boom.
One contractor said the other day:
"rhere are 1900 carpenters in Wash
ington and yet they are so scarce
that / can't get one of Them" Brick
layers are getting $11 a day and
wages of other mechanics are pro-
portionately high. While all this
building is going on rents remain at
the old wartime peak. But there
is rush to get most of the new
buildings done before the last OF
the year. After that the Rent
Board, which is trying to protect
the residents of the Capital against
extorionate rentals, may find that
the element of competition due to
visible supply of places, in which
to live will help to reduce the cost
of living-which is now higher in
Washington than it is in most cities
of the United States.
BILLS THAT NEVER
BECOME LAWS
In Congress and in the State leg
islatures the members present their
'tbills." Webster defines the mean
ing of this kind of 'bilP' as
document containing a petition or
prayer" In the last session of
Congress there were 4,757 bills in
troduced, and the number of prayers
answered" was 295, since that num-
Der of laws finally came out OF the
public machine. In the State leg
islatures there are usually from one
thousand to two thousand bills, OF
which less than ten per cent are en-
acted into laws.
Thus it will be seen that Con-
gress and the legislatures are en-
gagged principally in killing propos-
ed legislation. That which finally
gets by is by no means new legisla-
ton. 1t is, in fact, mostly madeup
of amended laws, or new shapes for
old laws.
TALKING POLITICS"
One might suppose that Wash
ington would welcome a political
moratorium inasmuch as Congress
has laid aside its work in order that
it's members may engage in the great
Fall elections. Not SO, however!
The elections this Fall will doubtless
have strong bearing on the presi.
dental conditions two years hence
A half dozen Democrats are seeking