The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-03-07

pretty well represented III Europe by
Individual member investigators who
wanted to find out "all about it," and
to come back to tell the lawmakers
what they should do to help Europe.
Congress in all probability will have
a long vacation from March 4, and
now 1t Is said that at least six con-
gressional parties will start out to see
the world, but this time the members
Will conf1ne themselves to this side of
the Atlantic and to a few places In the
Pacific. OF course 1t is. wicked to call
these expeditions "junkets," but there
are some fearless ones who are will
ing to say that O w of these inves-
tigating and sightseeing parties are
promoted and carried through as much
for amusement as for constructive
business purposes.
Little criticism is heard of one Of
the proposed journeys afield, or rather
asea, for the intent on of certain meim-
bers in congress Interested in naval
affairs and Of officials of the Navy de-
partment is to take a ship bound for
southern waters and to witness the
maneuvers of the atlantic and Pacific
fleets in the Caribbean sea.
1t is the intention of another con-
gressional investigating party to so to
Hawaii, there to look over the great
naval base at Pearl harbor and to
learn of the progress ON the great army
Notifications which are intended TO
protect the entrance TO the harbor
from the sea. 1t is expected that this
party will drop back" from Hawaii
to- California to look over what is
known as the Alameda project. The
understanding Is that the Mare island
base may be superseded eventually by
a new base at Alameda. If this
project ultimately is carried to con-
clusion the improved naval base in San
Francisco Bay Will represent a cost of
$3.50. 900 600, and the claim is made
that 1t will be. worth the money.
Will Study Reforestation.
A committee of the United States
| senate, it Is understood, will travel
considerable distances in the western
and southern country to look into mat
tiers relating to reforestation. There
always has been a .eeling In congress
that some of he forestry problems
could be settled il reforestation were
practiced in those places which, after
the first forests have been removed,
cannot be used readily for agricul-
tural purposes or for any purpose more
valuable than tree raising. Something
good. it is claimed, may come out Of
this proposed trip of the senator's.
There was a time years ago when
congressional parties went forth with
the members of their families in tow.
Government ships always were avail
able If there was enough of a business
tinge to the travelling proposition
seemingly to justify Uncle Sam in CIV
ing the members o. the parties quar-
tiers Oh n of his transports. 1t is
only fair to say that on these trips
the members paid for board for them
selves and families while on the YES
sells, but of course their transportation
was free, and as Uncle Sam charges
very moderate boarding house rates
on his transports the trips didn't cost
much.
Many of the real junketing features
have disappeared fro-l these railroad
and ship voyages. There was much
criticism in the past of things that
were done, and as q result the plans
for the trips are now hedged about
with precautionary pecuniary arrange
ments, and congressmen can start ont
without fearing such heavy %broadsides
of criticism as were hurled at them in
the past.
vTaft's Famous Journey.
Perhaps the most famous journey OF
congressman and others ever taken
was that which was known as the Taft
Philippine trip in the year 1904 OF
~thereabouts. There were a great many
members of congress who thought ii
was only right-aEG perhaps it was
that the lawmakers should know al
first hand what wes happening in the
Philippines, so with their families and
with a considerable number of friends
they started for the Orient under the
leadership of William Howard Taft,
who then was secretary of war.
This party not only went to the
Philippines, but to Japan. China and
Corea. A government transport was
provided, but everybody paid his board
bill. There were Republicans and
Democrats in the party in about equal
numbers, and inasmuch as there
seemed to be a general feeling that
congress ought to know something
definite about the East at that time,
there was not much adverse comment
from the press or the people of the
country on the plan of the voyage.
OF course the great trip of the CON-
ing summer will be that of President
Harding to Alaska. Everybody seems
to think that this journey is absolutely
essential if any attempt is to be made
i~egislatively and enthusiastically to
bring Alaska up to the proper produc-
ing point.