Milford chronicle., 1924-12-12
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER
BY National Editorial Association
Especial to Chronicle)

Especial to Chronicle)
Washington, December 10-Osten-
sibly, Congress is providing the ma
ton with a pleasant surprise. It
has, to all appearances, buckled
down to work. However, books
should not be judged according to
their covers. A casual survey Of the
first weeks doings would indicate
that the elections had a chastening
effect and great things could be rea-
sonably expected. That is the picture
the world views today. Behind the
scenes, in official Washington, con-
ditions are decidedly different.
1t is true that the elections
brought out the political trimmers.
Those who strayed from the fold
have been humbled but not entirely
subdued. In the cloakrooms Of the
Senate and House, where frank
opinions are exchanged privately,
the subject Of enforcing party regu-
larity is a favorite topic. Some hon
estly believe that the removal of So
called insurgents" from majority
posts on important committees, will
help the two principal parties. 9th
ers are convinced that the Danish
ment of Senator La Toilette and his
friends from party councils was a
grave political error. 1t is predicted
that this public ostracism of the sew
eral Senators and Congressman will
pave the way for a legislative crisis
after the holidays. The tangle may
come when votes are required to
pass the various appropriation bills.
Congress has been peaceful for a
too peaceful. Political
say it foreshadows a snarl
during the closing hours. If the mall
contents, and they are quite numer-
GUS in the present body, become ex-
asperated at the punishment meted
out for their political transgressions,
it is barely possible that they will
seek revenge at a crucial hour. The
appropriations bills, providing bill
lions for the operation Of the FEEDER
al Government, must be enacted in
to law before March when the
present session ends. Unless the
majority can make the so-called
rebels" tractable by that date, an
extra session will be required. And, |
he President does not favor the pro-
)osal to call another session in the
ipring.
Even the regulars" among the
and Democrats are not
n harmony on major matters. While
pparently united on the proposition
hat expulsion was necessary for
arty discipline, some i'll feeling has
eveloped because of committee as
ignments and patronage. Long ago,
sage said that man is so constitut-
that he detests whoever does not
him, or whoever refuses to
hare his political passions. Condi-
ons have not changed. The average
Ygislator here today is fond of say
lg that the end justifies the means.
lis chOler rises, however when a
Olleague is elevated to a higher
Ost.. 1t is amusing at times to note
legislator struggling between
arty needs and personal gain. Yet
is an ordinary event which leaves
s mark on law-making in Wash
gton.
A week has passed and there is no
ridence of the Congressional inves-
cation mania returning to plague
le country. Only one official in
liry is now on the boards. Senator
ines Couzens, Republican, of Mich
an, is continuing his probe of the
1reau of Internal Revenue and the
rohibition Unit. It is currently re-
)rted that he was inspired by per-