The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1925-01-22
WASHINGTON LETTER
Especial to Sank Centre Herald)

i
divided as to the economic condition
of the farmer. Some insist that al
extra session of Congress is necessar,
to stave off agriculture disaster. 9th
'ers equally as ardent as to the wei
fare of the farmer contend that h,
will work out his own salvation /
saved from the annoyances of legis
lative interference. There is an
other group in Congress which be
heves that another session is neces
sary to adjust this country's position
in international affairs especially al
to world court. The President anc
many of his staunch supporters al
the Capitol are at odds over these
questions.
The President believes that it would
be best for the country to have Con-
-gress wind up it's business on March
a. Senator Borah, one of the most
powerful of Republican leaders, dis
agrees with the chief Executive in
this respect. The Idaho Senator con-
tends that the condition of the Amer
lean farmer will be very little bet
tered by reason of temporary rise
in price of any particular product.
He believes that the only way it can
be remedied is by a real system of
marketing, not voluntary alone, but
In which the Federal Gov eminent NAV
nave directing hand. For that rea-
son ne advocates an extra session.
The preliminary report of President
Coolidge's Agricultural Commission
showed that the only present "emer-
gency" In agriculture concerns the
cattle growers. The Commission sum-
ports the President views that exist.
ing agencies are fully competent to
afford the cattle men the financial as.
slstance they require. The present
indications are that no extra session
will be called.
Aside from the salaries and ord;n-
airy expenses, the incidental costs of
keeping Congress in session is very
great. For instance, the report of
the Public Printer made available this
week, shows that speech-making is a
very expensive item. The printing of
Congressional Record for both
Houses during 1924, exceeded all |
former volumes of annual oratory
with total of 19,475 pages. If |
these pages were converted into ordi-
nary newspaper form they would fur
nish copy for the publication of a ten
page newspaper of solid reading mat
ter for 800 days. To keep the wheels +
OF legislature grinding, 17,547 bills
were printed during 1924, one of
these bills alone making volume of
400 pages. The Teapot Dome hear
ings filled $3.50 pages and cost s14,
1926 for printing LOO copies.
Those who have followed efforts of
Congress to force drastic economies
in the operation of Federal depart
ments are always amused by the in
of the lawmakers. It
has been said that it is a poor rule
which does not work both ways. How
ever, Congress, in it's wisdom, ap-
ignored this principle. Much
of the material which appears in the
Congressional Record is extraneous
matter and not worth the paper up
On which it is printed.
With changes in high official life
occurring almost daily, the prevailing
question is "Who is next to go?" The
attest story is that Secretary Hoover
will be transferred from the Depart
nent of Commerce to the Depart l
nent of Agriculture. Previous to
ne selection of Ambassador Kellogg
s a successor to Secretary of State
hughes, it was assumed in many
quarters that Mr.. Hoover would be
'lven this job. With his wide knowl-
dge of foreign affairs he is said to is
re especially qualified for a portfolio
Il this kind. Mr.. Hoover is now oc-
upied in reducing the present spread {
Il prices between producer and con-
inner in all lines to permit marked
eduction in prices without loss of
wages or profits. He will appoint a.
representative committee to work out
'lans to this end. He has placed the
Department of Commerce upon an
Efficient basis during his last four
1ears. The task Of successor would
'e relatively simple in the event Mr..
Hoover is transferred to the Agricul-
ural Department.
The Isle of Pines controversy which
las been revived after twenty years,
5 matter of more than passing in
crest. Senator Borah, Chairman of
he Senate Foreign Relations Com
nittee is opposing the ratification of
he treaty which would cede the Isle
+ Pines to Cuba. The original
raafv was draffad nv John How huf I