San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-03-20
A DAY IN PARLIAMENT

Americans who have seen the stage
comedy, $50 This Is London should
be able to appreciate an English news
papers account of a days proceedings
in the British Parliament. They ought
to be able to appreciate it particularly
in the light of recent developments in
Congress.
Not that an American newspaper
couldn't give such an account OF legis-
lative affairs. The point is thai such
matter is seldom if ever found in Amer
lean newspapers. Any why? Because
there is always enough doing in our
legislative bodies-enough of the spec
tacular-to fill the columns of Our news
papers to OVERLOOKING. But III Parlia-
ment. it seems, there are days when
members and executive official; just sort
of converse with each other as though
things" didn't much matter. after all.
Polite questions are aslled--they are
called interpellations-and' polite an
swers are given, in the House of Com
mons, on subjects that would be treated
in Congress IN vigorous and sometimes
incorporate style.
"By the by" member from Grim
shot may begin, what is the govern
ment's policy with respect to India"
owe have considered all suggestions"
the spokesman for "the government" re-
plies. Suggestions are always well
coined, naturally. But at present the
government is not prepared to make any
definite announcement. We shall con-
tinue to analyze."
That seems to satisfy the inquisitive
member, at least for the moment. Then
somebody else rises to seek information
concerning the policy of the Pensions
Ministry. When representative OF "the
government" replies, 81 am reviewing the
administration of the Final Awards
he is applauded. More
cheers when he says, II hope shortly to
be able to arrive at satisfactory solu-
ton of the problems involved"
Bit occasionally the talk is not so
dry. 1t wasn't at all "dry" whcn,. for
example. at recent session, member
of the House of Commons wanted to
know whether "the government had
taken any cognizance of suggestion
made by the Liverpool justice concern
ing "the increased drinking of methy-
lated spirit"
This question" replied R. ]. Davies,
undersecretary for the Home Depart
ment, "has been given special attention
by my department for some time past,
and will continue to receive suggestions.
Suggestions made by the Liverpool JUS
tice and from other quarters have been
considered. Recently at conference be-
tween the various departments concerned
practical preventive steps were discussed
and progress was made toward the adop-
ton of measures intended to make the
liquid even more unpalatahle than it is
at present"
At this the members laughed. Who
said the English have no sense of hui
NOR! If further evidence to the con-
trary be required, then consider Wis
countess Astor's comment. She re-
minded "the government" that the drink
ing of methylated spirit was increasing
in spite of their not having prohibition
in England" Or consider the rejoinder
of another member, who suggested that
the problem might be solved by reduc-
ing the duty on whisky $50 that one
could have wholesome stuff to drink.
Then the undersecrctary who was being
questioned said that he would pass sug-
gestions on to the chancellor of the ex-
chequer.
So ru:h excitement would give nerv.
Gus prostration to the average member
of Congress. Yet the English law-mak-
ers, with their apparently easy-going
dispassionate manner, seem to think thai
they're having a good time.
uurrExy