Milford chronicle., 1925-10-30
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER
(By National Editorial Association)
Especial to Chronicle)

(Bv National Editorial AssOciation)
Especial to Chronicle)
washington, October 2S.-Though
there has been little publicity given
the matter, official Washington is
disturbed over a simple question
"Is the resident the real boss of his
official family?"
The highest tribunal in the land,
the Supreme Court, has been asked
to decide this question which in
wolves the removal of the postmaster
at Portland, Oregon. Every Mon
day when the decisions of this au-
gust body are read the hundreds OF
government officials throughout the
country anxiously await the verdict
However, the average citizens re-
gard it as "just another case for
lawyers"
Those who probe beneath the sur
face of things say that the courts
decision will be of the utmost inn
portance to the American Govern
ment. The Portland postmaster
challenged the right of the Pres
ident to remove, claiming that under
the law he could be removed by
the President, only by and with the
advice of the Senate The question
involved is whether or not, under
the broad authority given the Pres
ident by the Constitution, he must
obtain the consent of the Senate for
the removal of an executive officer.
It will be noted that a verdict up
holding the defiant postmaster
would put the President of the Uni
ted States at the mercy of the Sen
ate. It is easy to imagine how the
enfeebling of the executory power
would strengthen the Senate's domi-
nation of the Government. Incl
dentally, it woud undoubtedly re-
suit in cabals and intrigues by dis
appointed politicians and keep the
nation in constant ferment and po-
Ilitical convulsions.
Some of the waggish observers
have compared the situation to
domestic controversy wherein a do
mineering spouse (meaning the
Senate) who wants all the prero-
gatives.
Two subjects will come before
Congress this winter which will re-
vive old time discussions of States
rights and other points of political
philosophy. The Secretary of Com
merce, Herbert Hoover, one of the
principal promoters of electrifica-
ton programs, has projected the
giant power issue into public debate
"Giant Power" is a new term to de-
signate the cheapest sources of
power by pooling of electrical ener-
gv supply, we are told, and the chief
idea behind it is not profit but the
public welfare. "Superpower" an
other new phase, is the Interchange
of small quantities of surplus power
at the ends of the transmission line
of each system, which, of course, is
for the profit of the companies.
It is foregone conclusion that the
question of power mergers and re-
gulation will be threshed out in
Congress this winte.' Senator
Norris, of Nebraska, is the leading
, advocate of public ownership while
Secretary Hoover occupies a SINH
lar position as a propo lent of State
reprlation. Congress will be the
judge as to the necessity OF Federal
action.
Certain phases of tie tax reduc-
tion program hinges upon the ac-
ton in question of Stase rights. AS
, the present tax hearings progress
the inheritance taxation provision
will be discussed. It is said that
the Administration wants this ta2
:, repealed while certain Congression'