Milford chronicle., 1926-02-26
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER
(From Nation Editorial Association
Especial to Chronicle)

OUR WASHINGTON LETTER
(From Nation Editorial Association
Especial to Chronicle)
Washington, February 24-Observ-
ers in Washington are of the opinion
that the time is at hand for an erup-
ton of the political volcano Months
have passed without anything more
exciting than petty squable and
official life in Washington has been
marked by dull routine. Not even
the 531 members of the Senate and
House have been able to project
themselves out of the humdrum OF
orderly existence. This unusual
calm has had a paralyzing effect
upon political parties with result
that something may be expected
within the next few weeks to relieve
the monotony.
1t appears that the best we can
expect is a few Investigations into
departmental matters. The Tariff
Commission, which has been out of
the limelight for some time, has
been selected by certain groups as a
subject for the political gridiron. In
late years the tendency has been to
remove the tariff issue from parti-
sanship and make it a scientific
proposition. The present commission
came into existence in 1917, and is a
i supposedly quasi-judicial and non
partisan organization.
Two years ago there was clash
of personalities among the commits
sioners but this was adjusted. The
change resulted in charges that
President Coolidge was seeking one
man control over the activities of
the Commission by reason of making
conditional appointments. Some
claim a portion of our economic
troubles are due to the high pro-
tectionists" among commissioners.
Whenever there is any difficulty in
marketing farm products blame for
the trouble is placed on the Tariff
Commission. Recently, the Senate
forced the Commission to take up
the study of the relative cost of
dairy products here and abroad. An
effort is being made to make the
Tariff Commission a political issue
in the Congressional primaries and |
elections.
One of the most noteworthy deVel- |
opments of the present Congress is
the disposition on the part of both
parties to dispense with Congress
sional investigations. It has been
found that the noise and bitterness
developed by political investigations
make little impression on the pub
lie and provide only passing sensa-
tions.
Passage of the public buildings
bill in the House by scant margin
Of votes is arousing interest as to
its fate in the Senate. This legisla-
ion has been pending in Congress
or ten years and provides for the
of Federal buildings in
he District of Columbia and in GER
ain states. Opponents of the bill /
lave classified it as pork barrel"
Measure, meaning of course, one
hat carries patronage for certain
The bill carries an appro-
,riation of 165,OOO,OOO to be spent
n the next five years under the di- 9
ection of the Secretary of the
and the Postmaster Gener-
i. Critics claim that it will only
over construction projects in six
tates. Those who protested against (
he bill claim that it would give the
General too much power ;
nd would abrogate the privileges 5
f the legislative body.
Hardly had the Senate disposed of
he principal problem in our foreign I
World Court-when a
ew issue was placed before politi- 8
al parties. The treatment accorded (
-merican citizens by the Mexican Z
government has revived demands s
Or Intervention. The State Depart 8
lent is extremely busy these days +
18th foreign policies. The notorious 3
athcart case is bound to have an 3
fleet on our international relations. &
here is talk of reprisal abroad g
-hich will make work for our diplo- 2
lats. The current opinion in Wash 3
lgton is to the effect that immigra- s
on authorities are making a e
fountain out of a mole hill" q
The publication of biographies 8
ritten by former intimate associ- g
-es of Presidents are keeping those &
lterested in. politics busy. The rem 3