, 1924-03-20
REPUBLICAN RE-
CONSTRUCTION

Washington, March lS.-N e " s.
paper readers outside the National
Capital might easily get the notion
mat there is nothing going on at
Washington except investigation of
scandals or alleged scandals. That
Ii FAR from the truth. AS a matter
OF fact, along with one investigation
which has been monopolizing the
front pages. there has been steady
continuance of the reconstruction
work to which the Republican ad-
ministration has devoted its energies
since 1t came into power.
TO begin with, the appropriation
committees in both Houses, headed
by Madden of Illinois In the House
and by Warren OF Wyoming in the
Senate, have been trying to discover
every possible opportunity to reduce
appropriations. Mr.. Madden spent a
large part of the recess OF Congress
In this task. for upon him falls the
greater burden of the work, since
the appropriation bills originate in
the House of Representatives. Az a
result OF his summer work. Madden
broke down In health, but has re-
covered n is now in dalIy attep-
dance upon the important commit
ice OF which he Is chairman.
Inc Agricultural Committees of
Doth Houses have been giving care
ful and extended consideration to
numerous bills for aid to farmers,
particularly in the Northwest. Adj
Vocates OF relief measures are not at
all agreed "a to the form National
legislation should take, and. there
fore. the ask of the committees il
difficult. Some of the most insist
Ont advocates of relief for the farm
ers have no definite ideas as to the
legislation b a should be enacted
such men are not of much aid to n
congressional Committee.
The immigration committees have
be.n working steadily upon plans
Tor the Improvement of our immi-
grafton laws in order hat desirable
immigration may be encouraged un-
der a system OF restriction that will
Keep out the least desirable. Public
opinion has decreed a limitation upon
the lumber to be admitted. Be
cause n man would probably make n
good citizen is no longer a c%onclus-
i've reason why he should be admit
ted. With an excess number CT good
men seeking admission, il is the eff
Tort OF the committee to devise a
plan which will insure the admis-
sion OF the best of the good appli-
cants. To devise a %selectiye plan
that viii accomplish desired results
without giving basis for a charge of
discrimination is not easy.
Other committees have been con-
sidering bills for the establishment,
of n Department OF Education. for
submission 70 a Child Labor Amend
ment, for the encouragement OF gold
and silver mining. for the develop
ment OF a merchant marine. for the
improvement of the diplomatic and
consular service. etc.
In the administrative departments
there has been active work along
lines 40 less important. In a quiet
way Secretary OF Commerc. Hoover
has secured the cooperation of bust
ness organizations in the standard
irntion OF products which will re-
ducc costs of production and save
the nation untold millions in years
to come. The Department OF the
Interior has expedited the issuance
of patents tn settlers on homestead
lands and has tried to work out .
plan for the relief OF settlers on ir-
rigated lands where the cost OF re-
clamation has been greater than the
settlers expected. The same de-
partment has prepared the National
Parks FOR better and more extended
use by the public. The Department,
OF Justice has been quietly but Wig
orously prosecuting hundreds OF war
fraud cases. All Departments have
been cooperating with the Budget
Bureau In eliminating duplication
and reducing expenses.
These are but n few II the in
Vulnerable Government sctiNities
that far outweigh In ultimate i'm
poriance any scandal investigation
that has been OF may be conducted.
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