The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1922-04-21

last Democratic administration, with
the result that there are too many
Democrats in high political places. OF
course you can legislate that Govern
ment employees must not participate
in politics, but when you legislate in
that fashion you are. indulging in a
theory that does not prove out in
practice.
The Lords of Democratic patronage
felt pretty well satisfied with the way
they left things. The Lords of Re-
publican patronage looked the ground
over and after the lapse of many
months decided that the only redress
for them was to scale down the
peak" and to put more high-class
positions in the spoils class. Natur-
ally this cut into the Civil Service.
But apparently the Republicans have
found that nearly everyone who will
suffer is Democrat. Hence the sor-
row! Hence the joy! There will be 4
good many disappointed Democrats;
but there will be good many joyful
Republicans. Apparently the Admin
istration has decreed that one of these
classes must offset the other
1t all seems quite natural, because
it is the same thing that has happen
ed in every new Administration. The
method has been changed to suit the
situation.
Coniscatory Rate Cases
Rates of public utilities have been
raised everywhere throughout the
country. thus evening up "the cost of
living for that section of our ecnom-
ic national structure. Most commun-
titles have shown a spirit of fairness
in dealing with their utilities, but in
some cases demagogue politicians
have stood in the way of giving the
utilities their just deserts. and these
politicians have perpetuated their own
rule through attacks upon what they
call "soulless corporations" In many
cases there have arisen what is known
as "confscatory rate cases." and in
these cases some of the utility con-
Germs have appealed to the courts to
grant injunctions against the threaten
ed destruction of their property rights.
The fourteenth amendment of the
Constitution apparently provides this
form of redress, and Congressman
Bacharach has bill that is attract
ing considerable attention, in which
he clarifies the existing situation. The
intention that governs Federal at
temps at regulation in reference to
railroads and utilities in general, has
been to remove these public agencies
from the influences and prejudices of
local conditions, especially where the
whole controversy appears to resolve
about expectancy in getting votes" at
the municipal elections.
The public utility question has been
Strengthening itself out very well
Throughout the country, and in most
instances where new agreements have
not been reached the reason is on OF
narrow politics.
Flexible Feature of Tariff Bill
The Republican tariff bill has been
more than year in the making, and
1t is still a long ways from being an
act The Senate report would give
the President power ito modify tar
iff rates either upward or downward
within prescribed limits and in accord
ance with definite rules laid down by
Congress" This is a grudging way
Congress has Of authorizing the tar.
lit board to change existing rates
with the approval of the President
The past three administrations have
been flirting with this proposition, but
this is the first time when there has
appeared any likelihood that congress
would surrender any part of its pref
ogatives in tariff matters.
Administration Running Smoothly
There we're evidences of differences
between Congress and the White
House last month, but Washington
observers now report the differences
as apparently mended, with the resul,
that "all is quiet on the Potomac"
| Deans of Democracy
The Democrats are hanging onto
the meagre messages of former Pres
ident Wilson that express hope of an
early party victory in the interest of
Justice to all" And Mr.. Bryan will
retain his position as party Oracle