The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1925-05-07
By the National Editorial Association
Especial to The Herald)
Pacific Maneuvers Hold
Interest of Congress

in the government service, have been
more concerned over sore arms due
to vaccination, than to political or
governmental affairs. The smallpox
scare has resulted in widespread vac
cination, affecting $4,000 govern
ment employees, including the presi-
dent and other high government of
fcials. Although the cases reported
are relatively small, the disease is
of a virulent type with a high per-
centage of mortality. The city is not
alarmed but is taking every precau-
ton to prevent its spread.
The opinion prevails here that the
booming of guns now heard in the
Pacific with the mimic warfare in
Hawaii, will be echoed when congress
in December. Though the
maneuvers have been under way for
only a few days, controversy has de-
veloped between the advocates of a
powerful navy and aircraft as to
the effectiveness of each in attacking
the defenses.
The presence of a large number of
senators and congressman, most of
them members of the senate and
house of representatives on naval
affairs, as official observers with the
fleet, shows that the "cease firing"
order which will be issued at the
close of the maneuvers next month
will mean only a temporary lull IN
the fight. The combat of words,
which is the most tiresome form of
warfare, will be resumed in commit
tee rooms and on the floor of the
senate and house.
Dispatches from the scene of the
operations in the Pacific show a wide
difference of opinion as to the
strength of the airplanes in defense
and as an auxiliary of the attacking
fleet. The army and navy has a
number of umpires who will render
an opinion as to the adequacy of the
defenses. Their views viii be more
or less technical. 1t will be the ex-
pressions of the congressional OBJ
servers that will start the political
fireworks in December.
Advocate Seamen's Bonus
Another subject which will claim
the attention of congress has come
to the surface during the week.
Chairman O'Connor, one of the ship
ping board, has advocated a $50 per
month bonus to be paid to American
seamen on boats purchased from the
government. His idea is to create
a merchant marine reserve and to
encourage private operation. The
merchant marine problem has caused
some concern in the administration
as it is apparent that some leglsla-
ton will be necessary at the next
congress. The high wages for Amerl-
can seamen on American ships makes
competition with foreign shippers
difficult. {
Though the majority Of senator's
and congressman are now IN their
home districts, or travelling around
the world. there are many who are ]
making tracks to the White House. ]
They believe, apparently, that the ]
time is more opportune to acquaint !
the president with some of their own I
pet ideas while congress is out Of 7
session. I
Refuses Comment on Senate Rules |
Mr.. Coolidge is keeping "mum" on
the attacks made by Vice President
Dawes on the senate rules. The Wig
orous campaign which Dawes is wag-
ing in the several states is irritating 9
many senators, but they have never I
been able to draw out the chief ex- I
ecutive as to his real opinion. Mr.. !
Coolidge is playing safe and keeping
clear of this controversy which will V
come to a head in December.
Couzens Again Active j
Senator Couzens resumed the hear
ings this week into the treasury de- "
partment. Under the authority Civ c
by the senate to conduct this IN =
vestigation the hearings must be con-
Guided by June 1. The fact that the
from Michigan has made
these inquiries in secret session has
taken away much of the sensational
ism which inevitably follows in mat
tiers of this kind. The feud between
Mr.. Couzens and the secretary of
the treasury still exists. 1t appears
that Mr.. Couzens has not made much
neadway toward proving m~ismanage-
ment of the treasury, although he
mas succeeded in %uncovering startling
facts relating to the internal revenue
and the prohibition units,
Tax Reductions Expected
Reports issued by the internal rev.
,nue indicate that further tax re-
may be expected. Business
continues to increase as is evidenced
~ the comparative statement of re-
.eints bv the internal reyenue office