Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1924-05-22
WASHINGTON LETTER
CONTINUED from Page u

the nations finances to the pub
lie. Those who have followed
the history of the national bud
get claim that its greatest contri-
button to the American people
has been the erection and main
tenance of a wall against ill-ad-
vised "pork-barrel" legislation.
1t has undoubtedly curtailed the
power of the legislative branch
over appropriations and in many
instances this influence has re-
acted in Congress against the
executive branch of the govern
ment. Congress is always jealous
of its prerogatives, and many of
its members now regret the en-
actment of the budget law.
The Senate and House con-
ferees are now at work on the
revenue measure. They have no
enviable task, as pressure has
been brought to bear from all
sources to influence their votes
in conference. The situation is
quite acute from a political stand
point as those who have spon-
sored certain amendments in the
Senate bill have given notice
that they will move to discharge
the conferees and select others in
the event the conference report
is in variance with their views.
The conferees are also con-
fronted with the knowledge that
their efforts will go for aught
if the provisions of the Senate
bill calling for publicity on tax
returns is retained in the final
measure. The Republican insur-
gents of the House have voted to
instruct the conference to keep
this provision intact as well as
the graduated tax on undistri.
buted corporation profits, an
other controversial provision
However. the House and Senate
|conferees will do their own bar
gaining with a view to obtaining
Presidential approval.
The rejection of the Mellor
plan was a keen disappointment
to the Administration but thu
hope is held out that the confer
ence will make certain charges
to allow the enactment of the bill
into law even without the ap
proval of the President. BY THU
it is meant that tax bill passed
by Congress and not of sufficient
merit to warrant the approval Of
Mr.. Coolidge, could become a Law
automatically ten days after il
reaches the White House, though
it might lack his signature.
Several Investigations have
been under way during the week
but the spirit of inquiry is rapid.
ly diminishing. Senator Wheeler,
Democrat, of Montana, who has
been under indictment by federal
grand jury, has been white
washed by his colleagues in the
Senate after a short and uninter-
esting inquiry. The report OF
the committee in no wise effects
the Senator's liability before the
judiciary. The House committee
likewise removed the stigma of
misuse of office against Repre-
sentative Zihlman. No action
has been taken by the House on
the case of Representative Lang
ley, Republican, of Kentucky.
who has been sentenced to two
years in the Atlanta prison in
connection with alleged fraud in
liquor permits.
After cleansing the records of
its own members, the Congress
continues TO investigate the adj
miniStration Of Harry Daugherty
as Attorney General. the opera
ton of the Shipping Board. and
the sale Of ships. The Senate OIL
committee resumed its activities
which has developed sharp diff
ferences of opinion between
members of the committee as TO
methods of procedure Proposals
have been made in certain quar-