The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1924-03-13
WASHINGTON LETTER

Special Correspondent Sank Centre Herald
Copyright 1923 by National Editorial Association

Washington, March 12-There il
increasing evidence that the citi
zens would be more content with
public affairs if the political muddle
was cleared by more attention to
jurisprudence and less bombastie
prattling. Communications received
from representative sections of the
country indicate that the public is
growing weary of the hue and cry in
Congress which sidetracks the main
issues. The grave matters involved
in the naval oil leases, it seems, have
been submerged to such an extent
that thoughtful men are beginning to
regard the whole affair as political
frolic. Nobody doubts that a serious
situation exists and that the public is
entitled to true explanation of GER
tain transactions.
1t would be infinitely better if the
various investigators would take
time to make a distinction between
appearances and truth. 1t is remark
able how the genius of divination is
possessed by certain Senators when
they are free from legal redress
through congressional immunity. The
spirit of the demagogue is too fire.
auently mistaken for public zeal. A
little reflection, backed by common
sense, will show that the punishment
of offenders instead of constant and
indiscriminate revilement is more de-
sirable and will have an impression
upon the country. The need OF the
present hour may be briefly sum-
married in the words of Ruskn:
eve want downright facts at present
more than anything else"
Consideration of the evidence adj
duced before the Senate Public Lands
committee investigating the oil leases
shows that a great proportion OF it
is circumstantial. The discovery that
President Coolidge had sent tele-
gram to Edward B. Mclean, pro-
prietor of the Washington Post, pro-
vided a two-days' sensation. The
Chief Executive has made personal
explanation that the telegram re-
ferred to the chairman of the G: ..
p. for the District of Columbia
What promised to be real thriller
turned into a f1uke, as to message,
according to Mr.. Coolidge, related to
local politics and subject far re-
mote from oil problems. In Repub-
lican circles the feeling exists that
the message may be misinterpreted
but they hold that even slight I'M
prudence has never been considered
a crime.
The importance of Mclean and
his kilograms have been unduly mag
nified. Mclean was an intimate
friend of the late President Harding
but leaders of both parties agree that
he does not hold this relationship with
the present occupant of the White
House. 1t is common knowledge that
Mclean inherited vast fortune in
GLIDING two newspaper properties
here and in Cincinnati. He later aug
mented his wealth by marrying an
heiress. Mclean has little or no in-
fluence in national politics and those
who were intimate with the late
President know that Mclean never
exercised any influence on Mr.. Hard
ings political affairs.
With a campaign year at hand,
Congress is apparently determined
that the responsibility for the bonus
shall be placed squarely upon the
President. The House Ways and
Means committee by a vote of 1914
definitely decided to report soldier
bonus at this session. Opinions have
been expressed in the Senate and
House that the pending appropria-
lions bills as amended will exceed es-
Inmates of the Budget Bureau by sew
eral million dollars and hamper the
raising of funds for the payment OF
a bonus.
An amusing spectacle is presented
in the efforts of both parties to claim
the credit for tax reduction. The
Longworth compromise income tax
rates as passed by the House does not
meet with the approval of the Admin
istration. Senator Smoot, chairman
of the Senate Finance committee,
contends that a deficit of 100000.
900 a year would follow the enact
ment of the House bill by the Senate
1t is obvious that the Senate Finance
committee will make an effort to re-
store the rates contemplated in the
Mellon plan when the bill is reported
to the Senate. There is contest
among Democrats and Republicans as
to who will reap the political benefit
coming from immediate tax reduc.
ton. AS result the Senate Finance
committee hopes that Republican
rnemhars of tha Senate and House