The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1924-05-08
Our Washington Letter


dens of the Presidency are such that
they impose a tremendous mental
strain upon the Chief Magistrate
which tends to shorten his life. 1t is
generally believed that former Pres
idents Wilson and Harding were
broken in health and ultimately died
from the effects of strenuous official
duties. The proposed Congression-
al committee would be empowered
to recommend changes in the exist
ing law and system of the admins
tration of government in order to
bring relief to the Chief Executive.
With the approach of the conven-
tions, attention of office-holders and
candidates for office are turned to
the question of party platforms
which necessarily involves the issues
of the campaign. The situation in
Congress is such that shibboleths and
slogans have not been given their
usual pre-convention prominence.
The conflict of estimates as to the
value of men and their plans for the
nations welfare will be waged in full
blast about July l when each party
has selected its candidate for the
presidency. 1t is customary in spir-
tied political contests for strong par
tisans to see the facts distorted by
retroactive pe~cularities of ones own
glass. If the average citizen would
take the time to harken to scientific
Investigators the ordinary u of
elections can be described as per
iods of emotional astigmation and
logic on party issues" In ev-
cry day parlance, the claim is adj
.anced that a party mar is wilfully
blind to obvious issues and sees no
but the good points of his own
group.
Though hearings are now under
way to determine the viewpoints of
the public on the question of Ameri-
can participation in a World Court,
it is unlikely that any action will be
taken by the Senate at this session.
An academic discussion of the pro-
oosals will probably be carried out
out it is said in high quarters that
International issues will be carefully
submerged until December-a month
lfter the elections.
Something New
Another measure to purify cleo
ion practices has been introduced
n the House by Representative Ca
lie, of Ohio. Something new in poll !
les would result if Section 10 of :
he Cable bill were Incorporated in
he law, for it raises prohibition !
gainst direct or indirect promises of
ppointments of person or persons
o any private or public position for :
he purpose of securing support in :
campaigns. AS this is cam
,aign year, it is doubtful of the Ca :
lie bill will be reported out of COM =
nittee as its enactment will revolu- :,
ionize present campaign practices. :
Taxpayers of the District Of Col =
mbia are calling attention to the :
fleets of absenteeism in the House i
S a result of a recent vote. The :
iscal relations of the federal gov !
rnment to the District of Columbia ;.
7ere changed by a House amend 4
lent on a vote of % to 5 out of a :
otal membership of 435. 1t is point
d out that members of Congress
in Washington are giving their :
.me to the preparation of campaign +
peeches which are becoming neces- !
airy with the approach Of the pri- "
laries and the elections. In fact, the
congressional Record shows that :
lany members of the House are the :
under discussion in Con- =
ress are not always germane to leg |
: