Milford chronicle., 1925-02-20
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER
(By National Editorial Association
[Special to ChronicIal

LSpeclal 10 CnrOnlclel
Washington, Feb. 18-One of the few exciting
things in Washington these days is the struggle
for complimentary seats at the inaugural cere-
mony. Even the interest in this spectacle is
waning. The insistence of the President as the
! star performer, for the utmost simplicity in the
interest Of economy has sounded a sad note The
plans as approved by Mr. Coolidge indicate that
the entire ceremony, including the parade, will
take up less than one hour.
Though the President is never directly quoted
he is, nevertheless the publicity agent for the
Cabinet. Afew years ago it was customary fol-
Cabinet officers to tell newspaper correspondents
what transpired at the sessions on Tuesdays and
Fridays. Nowadays, the spokesman for the
President" whose real identity is known to ev-
erybody, gives the writers the official interpret
alton as to what the Chief Executive and his
minister's of state discussed One member Of the
Cabinet told the writer this week that Mr.. Cool
idge very frankly sought the advice of the de-
partment heads. This high official said that the
impression had been given to the country that
the President did not take his official family
into his confidence This, the Cabinet member
said, is not true.
The aggressive attitude taken by certain mem.
bers of the Senate in regard to executive apL
pointments has brought about a switch on the
part of Mr.. Coolidge. Rather than consent to a
showdown on voting strength, the White House
has eased up on his efforts to obtain confirma-
tions in the Senate at this session. Word has
been passed to Administration forces to keep the
nominations pigeOn-holed until an extra session
can be called March 5. The reason is obvious.
In the new Congress numerical strength is as
sured and the Administration will have work
ing majority It is proposed to have the new |
Congress meet for day or two for the purpose |
Of confirming appointments rather than proceed |
with the consideration of general legislation.
The controversy over presidential appoint /
ments has brought about a demand in many /
quarters for the abolition of secret sessions of
he Senate. Senator Dill, Democrat of Wash
ngton, has advocated open sessions except when b
t is determined by a two-thirds vote Of the
Senate that the business for consideration is so
rave that secrecy is necessary.
Years ago when Senators indulged in snuff, it
vas necessary to have snuff boxes near the en- r
rance to the Senate chamber. The snuff-con- L
ainers are still intact. Senator Dill says that s
ecret sessions for the confirmation of postmas-
ers in small towns is comparable to keeping o
huff boxes in the Senate, "as both are relics of Il
~ II
There is a rule calling for the expulsion of a n
enator who violates the secrecy of the execu- IL
We sessions If it were strictly enforced, there ia
ould be few, if any Senators allowed on the al IL
,or. be
There are some members of Congress who are
ry sensitive about their ability to think for hi
emselves. Some objection has been made to ct
e employment of legislative counsel, group co
4o
is said that as a result of their services the u DL
has been saved millions of dollars lei
lawsuits which would have developed from ex
Orly-drawn legislative measures. Some mem an
rs of Congress believe that they are qualified a.,
draft their own bills but the majority of their COZ
leagues view the matter in a different light SUI
$4,000 has been appropriated to maintain a, on[
legislative service. les
he Government is giving considerable at /
ton to the increasing number of failures and - Ia
TX suspensions It is problem which cannot Ser
solved by hasty legislation. The Federal Re- tina
We Board has sent out notice to the banks pTI
he country to the effect that 2O,615 CONNER tbe
failures were reported during the last year, day
ch is 10 per cent higher than the total for san
3. The amount Of liabilities involved in each lIV
hese insolvencies was, on the average, con- mar
rably lower in 1924 than in the preceding cou
. now
he New York district alone, accounted for -
ut one-fifth of the total number for the
ltry. It is interesting to note the proportions
e lowest in the Dallas district In this and p,
le Minneapolis district, the failures were the Ora
.st in several years 1t indicates that busi- eve1
methods have improved in the less pOpu- A
districts. Various business agencies have Ut uult
inferred to assist in working out a solution n
onditions surrounding business failures. R
cry community in the country, where post men .l
, or federal building has been promised, is w
hing the fate of the $15O,OOO,OOO public farm
lings bill. It has already passed the House ard.
was favorably reported last week by the w
tie committee 1t is known in many quarters 1a5i,
pork" bill, as the political future of many Re
lators depends to large extent upon fed Lilli
bounties to his district. ~