The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1925-05-07
DISCUSSES SESSION
Congressman Comments on the
Work Done by the Last
Session of Congress.


would receive favorable action at the
next session of Congress.
Congressman Cooper when asked re-
garding the postoffice situation stated
that there had been no appropriations
for any new federal buildings in the
United States since 1918 but held out
hope that these would be renewed
next year. He also intimated that
the need for expansion both in Ke-
nosha and RScine was so great that
the postoffice projects here would
probably be among the first consid-
cred when a building program was
again renewed.
AT the last session a bill appropri-
ating $150,e00,000 for postoffice and
other federal buildings was passed by
the house." he explained. This bill
failed to pass in the senate, however.
The appropriation was in lump sum
to be expended under the direction of
the secretary Of the treasury and the
postmaster general and it was this
provision it is thought that led to its
defeat in the senate.
"There is no doubt that Racine
greatly needs federal building, as
does also Kenosha and other cities.
Early in the last congress I intro
duced bill for postoffice buildings
at Racine, Kenosha and other cities
in the First Congressional district. |
believe, from conversations with
prominent members OF the house, that
a public building bill will be enacted
into law at the next session. Care
will be taken to have Objectionable
features eliminated The necessity for
new government buildings is appre-
ciated by every one who is acquainted
with the real situation. The govern
ment now pays very many scores of
thousands Of dollars year for rentals
in Washington, notwithstanding the
many great government buildings To-
Gated there
Defends Last Congress.
Congressman Cooper also took this
occasion to defend the last session of
Congress, maintaining that it was
both efficient and economical.
Much condemnation of the congress
has been based on ignorance of the
facts, the congressman declared, and
stated that he was anxious to correct
current wrong impressions that have
been indicated by letters received at
Washington from his friends in the
district inquiring in regard to appro
priations and taxation.
81 desire to correct the misappre-
hension that congress has disregard
ed the budget estimates for appropri-
ations and the recommendation Of
the president based on them" he
said "This is a mistake. The truth
is that we have had the budget system
for about four years and during this
time the president has sent four bu-
reau budget estimates to congress,
one each year. Each time congress
has cut the appropriations below the
amount recommended by the president
and the budget bureau.
"The Sixty-eighth congress, which
ended on March 4, cut appropriations
$11,000,000 below the amount asked
by the president in the budget. 1t
may be we'll to say right here that
the last congress appropriated ap+
proximately $800,000,000 less than the
Sixty-sixth congress, which began
MdTCn a. f15I5, anu GAOSO MdGCA ~
1921, and $375, 900 less than the
Sixty-seventh congress, which began
March 4, 1921, and ended March a,
1928. 1 wish to quote these figures,
because of the many letters from my
constituents asking why congress did
not lessen the appropriations. AS
matter of fact there has been a most
extraordinary reduction as the figures
show
"It is also fact that the Sixty
eighth congress was the most efficient
in the passage of good bills and the
rejection of poor ones of any peace
time congress in my experience The
rejection of bad bills is a very i'm
portant matter. l say this because
there is letter writer in the employ
of a very prominent organization who
constantly conveys the wrong impress
sion. to his readers by continually
criticising the bad bills pending be-
fore congress and wholly emitting the
to mention the fact when the bills are
rejected.
Pass Important Bills.
"a few of the many important bills
passed included a bill to amend the
revenue act of 1924 with respect to
waivers of limitations and refunds; a
bill providing for refunding the debt
of Lithuania and Poland; bill
amending the China trade act of 1923;
a bill to make enforceable interstate
and foreign contracts; a bill to amend
the farm loan and agricultural credit
acts of 1928; bill to amend the up
per Mississippi wild life and fish re-
fuge act; a bill to provide additional
hospital facilities FOR World war vet
erans; a bill further defining the jur-
isdiction of the circuit court and the
supreme court; a bill to extend the
benefits of the homestead laws; bill
for arbitration of commercial dis
putes; a bill to establish emergency
mail service and many others that l
might enumerate."
In telling of the federal tax reduc-
ton Congressman Cooper stated that
the press reports of year ago pre-
dieting that congress would oppose
any reduction in federal taxes proved
unfounded.
"The fact is that the law passed by
congress a year ago reduced the fed
eral tax burden $4oO, o00, 0o0," he de-
clared. Notwithstanding this great
tax reduction the surplus in the
treasury for the fiscal year ending
June 80, 1925, will be s68,00o,O00 and