The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1924-01-31
WASHINGTON LETTER
BY WILLIAM L. DALEY
Special Correspondent Sank Centre Herald
COPYRIGHT 1923 by National Editorial Association

Washington, Jan. 26-Congress
has settled down to serious con-
sideration of the peoples business.
Gradually, the committees which
handle the actual legislation have
given evidence of their intention to
function. Attention of the country
is rivited upon the activities of these
groups because of the Importance
of legislative measures now in their
keeping.
The executive branch of the Gov
eminent has interviewed in the ag-
ricultural situation in an effort to
bolster credits and ward off finan-
cial distress, particularly in the North
west. The President sent a special
message to Congress stating that he
had directed the Secretaries of Com
merce and of Agriculture to call a
special conference of interesed groups
to devise a practical plan of action
His message dealt with the economic
situation in certain wheat growing
sections of the Northwest, described
as ga serious though happily local
lied emergency" which should receive
the attention Of the Federal Govern
ment. It is expected that the con-
ference will agree upon plan for
the formation of corporation
financed by private funds through
which the Indebtedness of the farm
ers in the affected sections can be re-
funded while they are adopting a
system of diversified agriculture. The
proposal includes revolving fund of
$50,000,00Q to be administered by
the War Finance Corporation and
used for the purchase of live stock
aand seed.
The tentative plan calls for loans
up to 500 to each farmer who is
hard-pressed for money.
q
Sensational disclosures made by
the Senate Committee in the inquiry
into oil leases of the Teapot Dome
properties is of unusual Importance
as it may be projected into the 1924
presidential campaign as an issue.
Proposals have been made in the
Senate to cancel the lease of the oil
companies now operating on these
properties in accordance with reso-
luton introduced by Senator Cara
way, who claims that the lease is
against the public interests and was
made by private negotiation and is
practically seizure of the petroleum
reserves. The proceedings center
around a lease executed by the then
Secretary of the Interior, Albert Fall,
and several oil operators. The hear
ings transcend in Importance all other
committee Investigations.
The Borah Committee is conduct
ing an inquiry into charges Of the
State Department regarding activi-
ties of the Russian Soviet in this
country.
The Senate Committee investi-
eating propaganda has made little
Roadway in determining the motives
back of the Box Peace Plan.
Chief Justice Taft is urging leg
islation before the House Judiciary
Committee to authorize the appoint
ment of two judges in the Eighth
Districts Court of Appeals, compras-
ing thirteen western states, contend
ing that an increase in the judiciary
is necessary.
The House Interstate Commerce
Commission has under consideration
several measures designed to author
ize the construction of bridges over
navigable streams. The House Com
mittee on Education is now consider
ing the vocational rehabilitation bill,
and the Military Affairs Committee is
giving study to the Muscle Shoals
proposals. The House Agricultural