The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1925-05-07
WASHINGTON LETTER
Especial to Sank Centre Herald

Washington, May 6-Duri1lg the
past week the officials and citizens
of Washington, the majority of them
in the Government service, have been
more concerned over sore arms due
to vaccination, than to political or
governmental affairs. The small poX
scare has resulted in widespread vac
cination, affecting $4,000 government
employees, including the President
and other high government officials.
Although the cases reported are re-
latively small, the disease is of viru-
let type with a high percentage of
mortality. The city is not alarmed
but is stalking every precaution to
prevent it's spread.
The opinion prevails here that the
booming of guns now heard in the Pa
cific with the mimic warfare at Haw-
ali, will be echoed when Congress
convenes in December. Though the
maneuvers have been under way
only few days, controversy has
developed between the advocates of
a powerful navy and aircraft as to
the effectiveness of each in attacking
the defenses.
The presence of large number of
senators and congressman, most of
them members of the Senate and
House Committees 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 temporary lull in the fight.
The combat of words, which is the
most tiresome form of warfare, will
be resumed in committee rooms and
on the floor of the Senate and House.
Dispatches from the scene of OPP
Grafton in the Pacific show wide diff
ference of opinion as to the strength
of the airplanes in defense and as an
auxiliary of the attacking fleet. The
Army and Navy has number of UNI
pires who will render an opinion as
to the adequacy of the defenses.
Their views will be more or less tech
nical. 1t will be the expressions of
the congressional observers that will
start the political fireworks in De-
cember.
Another subject which will claim
the attention of Congress has come
to the surface during the week.
Chairman O'Connor, of the Shipping
Board has advocated a $40 bonus
per month to be paid to American
seamen on boats purchased from the
Government. His idea is to create a
merchant marine reserve and to en-
courage private operation. The mer-
chant marine problem has caused
some concern in the Administration
as it is apparent that some legislation
will be necessary at the next Con-
gress. The high wages for Ameri-
can seamen on American ships makes
competition with foreign shippers
difficult.
Though the majority of Senators
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
pet ideas while Congress is out of
session.
Mr.. Coolidge is keeping "munn'' on
the attacks made by Vice President
Dawes on the Senate rules. The Wig
orous campaign which Dawes is
waging in the several states is irritat-
ing many Senators but they have
never been able to draw out the
Chief Executive as to his real opin-
ion. Mr.. Coolidge is playing safe and |
keeping clear of this controversy
which will come to a head in Decem-
Der.
Senator Couzens resumed the
hearings. this week into the Treasury
Department. Under the authority Civ
en- by the Senate to conduct this in