The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1925-12-31
WASHINGTON LETTER

where members of Congress have re-
turned to their own districts for the
holiday recess "the folks back home"
so often referred to in debate, are
having their innings. Organized
groups of constituents are making
known their view on current or pend
ing legislative measures in order that
their legislators may not entertain
mistaken notions as to the wishes of
their constituency.
AS the primaries in many states are
held in the early spring this brief re-
spite from official duties in Washing
ton gives the legislators their only
opportunity to put their fences in or
der and set the machinery in motion
for their denomination. In these
days of direct primaries those who
are ambitious politically make it a
point to call upon influential civic as
well as political leaders for there is
gradual recognition of the fact that
the best laid plans of politicians are
often upset by organized groups of
voters who differ with their propo-
sails.
Perhaps those most interested in
ascertaining the real trend of public
opinion in national and international
affairs are the thirty-two United
States Senators whose terms will ex-
pire March, 1926. These men must
make a thorough survey of the polit-
ical situation for there is usually a
large array of candidates in the state
for the office.
Those aspiring to a seat in the Sem
ate are usually former governors or
congressman who have the backing
of large groups through their studied
care in distributing political patron
age and otherwise building up a po-
litical organization of their own. Of
the two classes, the governor whose
term is expiring is usually the most
formidable opponent of the senate in
cumbent. In the more densely popu-
lated states they serve their consti-
tuents over long, priod Of years,
recognizing the advantages that a
governor possesses and frequently
aspire to the honor as a stepping
stone to the Senate.
If you will, look around in your
own State and in neighboring COM
monwealths you will find that this is
the unwritten rule. 1t may also ex-
plain the holiday activity of the home
coming legislators.
The congressional recess will end
January 4. 1t now appears that the
time of the Senate will be occupied
with World Court discussions and
sporadic debate on domestic issues,
principally taxes and partisan ma
neuvers. The time of the House will
be fully occupied during janus ~
with appropriation measures.
The mere mention of the United
states Secret Service provides a thrill
for the ordinary citizen. There is
something of mystery and romance in
its operations that impresses the juv-
emile and adult alike. The tremen-
dous circulation of books dealing
with criminal investigation and mys-
teries attests to the intense public in.
terest in roguery and its suppression.
The House has just passed the
Treasury Appropriation Bill which
provides for the continuing of this
work. The Chief of the Secret Ser
vice, testifying before the House APP
preparations Committee stated that
his division had a record of 80 per
cent conviction. Because of the gem
eral controversy as to the relative
growth or decline of criminal tenden-
cies in this country it is interesting
to note the views of the Secret Ser
vice chieftan.
In testifying before a COMPRESSION
al committee, Chief Moran said that
their percentage of convictions was
not as high as five years ago and
that statistics showed that it was
probably due to leinency. Quite
significantly he stated that the cole
line crooks, such as burglars, holdup
men and thieves generally, up to
within five or six years ago fought
shy of Federal offenses." He de-
clared they seemed to feel tina they
must keep away from crime against
the Federal Government but that con-
dition does not exist now. The Sec
ret Service leader said that tn old
crooks who had confined themselves
to other lines of endeavor were GO
ing into the counterfeiting game to-
day.
There is an old Dutch proverb that
"Gold rules the world" The FEEDER
al Government has approximately
four billion dollars of gold in its po-
session. Of this amount little over
so, SOC, 900, 900 is in storage in New
York; $400, 900 900 in Denver, $780,
000, 900 in San Francisco, and $780,
100000 in Philadelphia. The minis
have turned out their largest amount
Of gold during tn last year. Work