Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1924-12-18
WASHINGTON LETTER


Continued from Pare ~
by those seeking high offices. 1t
is a custom to provide political
berths for those who failed of
reelection, especially if they
served the dominating party
faithfully.
1t is the old story Of the lame
duck" and his place in public af-
fairs. Ordinarily skillful politi-
clans find it best to suit their
opinions to circumstances. The
manual Of the perfect lame
duck" if ever compiled, would
have this main principle-"re-
member the man with the gift
bag" The men retiring from
Congress on March 4. are having
this repeated to them by their
well-wishers.
1t is known that President
Coolidge and his advisors are
making a survey Of the Federal
departments and independent
establishments where the high
Offices are filed by Presidential
appointment. Already an inn
posing list among senators and
congressman have been suggested
for high honors. The problem is
to find the jobs for the deserving
few. Some Of the senators who
have large personal fortunes are
quite willing that the President
should appoint them to diplo-
matte posts. Others in less pros
porous circumstances would be
grateful for any Federal job car
frying a title and substantial sal
larry.
There is some talk of a reor-
Iganization of the personnel of
THE Federal Trade Commission
land the Tariff Commission
These two groups have been q
source Of trouble to the Admin
stration for considerable time
1t is expected that within a few
months Mr.. Coolidge will enforcs
a plan which will make the com
mission more effective. The Law
creating the Federal Trade Com
mission requires that at least tw'
, members shall be of the minorit,
political party.
There is a proposal to transfe
, the Shipping Board to the De
! partment of Commerce. tn,
Smoot bill for reorganization o
Federal departments creates {
, Merchant Marine Bureau in tn,
Department Of Commerce. Will,
it does not specifically abolish
the Shipping Board and confer
that body's duties on this new
bureau. it is said that simple
amendment would accomplish
this purpose.
The growing evidence of pros
perity will undoubtedly reduce
attempts to enact Legislative
"cure-alls". The American Bank
er's Association meeting here this
week reported general conf
dence in the sound conditions Of
the nation with prospects favor
able for expanding prosperity.
They said a particularly encour-
aging sign is that this spirit of
optimism is tempered by an atti-
tude of judicious caution.
1t is interesting to note that
the Treasury is endeavoring to
restore the standard silver to the
place which it formerly held in
the currency structure. In do
ing this the Treasury is actuated
by two motives; first. to improve
the quality of the paper money,
particularly in the one-dollar de-
nomination; and to effect in this
way a material saving in the ex-
pense of supplying the country
with fit currency. The cost to
the Government of manufacture
ing and keeping in circulation
one-dollar bill is IL cents. The
Treasury says that it is evident
that if months supply of sill
yer dollars. which have an almost
indefinite life. can take the place
of an emIal amount of naner dol