The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1926-03-04
WASHINGTON LETTER

Washington, March 3-With the
tax bill out of the way, Congress is
breathing more freely. 1t was I'M
questionably the most important leg
islation before the present session be-
cause of it's economical and political
effects. With thousands of bills pend
ing before various committees, the
Senate and House is doing it's best to
sort the wheat from the chaff be-
fore adjournment in the early sum-
mer.
The organized groups interested in
legislation have in recent years
adopted new methods. The day of
the high-salaried attorney to handle
legislative matters for great organiza-
tons in Washington has passed. Not
so long ago the word lobbyist" was
used rather freely to describe an af-
fable and thoroughly we'll informed
agent who took advantage of his &C
quaintance with members of Con-
gross to solicit their votes on certain
measures. The approach was usual
ly followed by lavish entertainment,
etc., on the part of the legislative
agent. Today the policy of decentral-
ization which has hit government &C
tivities has also affected legislative
movements. The demand for legis-
lation comes from the field or, in 9TH
er words, direct from the consti-
tuents. The Washington representa-
tives or organization are chosen for
their intimate knowledge of politics
and politicians and serve merely as
coordinators for field forces.
Several senators have remarked
this week on the change in legislative
tactics and called attention to the
growing tendency to hold conventions
in Washington during sessions of
Congress. A convention was held
here recently of national organiza-
ton and the delegates numbering sew
eral thousand were given definite as
signments. The outcome was that
members of Congress received large
demanding immediate action on leg
islation in which they were interested.
1t requires unusual tact and re-
sourcefulness on the part of members
of Congress and their secretaries to
keep these visiting delegates in good
humor and at the same time avoid
definite pledges.
An occasional society notice con-
corning visiting officials reveals some
interesting angles of our information
al situation A group of men are
gathering quietly here for conferen-
ceS with high officials of the Depart.
ment of State and the Army and the
Navy, relative to the Forthcoming
conference on limitation of arma-
ments in Geneva. The outstanding
figure in these meetings hefe will be
Hugh S. Gibson, American Minister
to Switzerland, who is expected with
in a few days.
The presence of diplomatic and
military observers representing the
American Government at the four
corners of the earth is essential be-
cause of the magnitude of the prob
lem involved. No code has ever
been devised to cover the data neces-
sary for our representatives at the
Geneva conference. 1t requires yer.
bal reports and exchange of opinions.
Gradual extension of American
participation in foreign affairs brings
out the fact that We are not as
thoroughly informed on conditions
abroad as foreigners are of condi-
tions in this country. Although dip
lomats are very taciturn when inter-
national affairs are mentioned at So
cial gatherings, an occasional word is
dropped which provides material for
speculation.
1t has been suggested that the linn
itation of ornaments shall be con-
strued to include limitation on the
industrial strength of the various
countries. This brings the question
of ornaments close to the financial
manufacturing and working groups
Efforts to keep the conference to the
question of ornaments and pass up
all political and economic questions
are regarded as most important.
Those well informed on information.
al affairs state that the United States
will make an effort to confine the dis.
cussion to reduction of ornaments
but will assidously avoid participat.
ing in security pacts" which deal
with economic problems of other ma.
tons. 1t has always been our exper-
fence, because Of the enormous
wealth of this country, to lose in eco.
nomic negotiations with other coun.
tries. 1t is barely possible that the
Geneva conference may not be held as
scheduled as the European situation
in not settled. 1t is however, prob.
lem holding the attention of the dip.
lomatic and military establishments
here and something upon which Con.
gress has little to say at this time.
q
One of the surprises of the pres.
ent session has been the tendency tc
softpedal discussion on power pro
iects, especially the Muscle Shoals is.
sue. The time Of the House and Sen
at have been SO taken up with inter.
nal revenue measures and appropria.