The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1927-01-27
NAME
Washington Letter

-1OIcIIlOSU III llic dloSuooIoii III Soh
gress these days. Whenever {
proposition is mentioned and de-
mand made for it's enactment the
alibi artists call attention to the
fact that the 'ftime is all to short.
The defeat of many meritoriou!
measures through postponement il
their consideration by the Senate
and House is inevitable. The re
suit is that Washington is throngec
with legislative representatives Of
organized groups in final effort
to obtain action on bills which
they deem of vital Importance in
their particular field of endeavor
No race horse was ever more care
S fully clocked than the present
Congress.
Though several gestures have
been made by Legislators interest
ed in farm conditions, its general
ly recognized that no serious eff
fort will be made to take up the
agricultural problem at this ses-
sion. 1t appeared for a time that
some emergency legislation giving
financial relief to stricken agricul-
tural areas would be enacted. At
tempts to amend some of these
bills to relieve the difficulties of
the cotton growers and other
amendments is said to have
brought about an impasse.
The flight of time is recognized
to such an extent that some legis-
1ators are restoring parliamentary
tricks to obtain action on meas
ures they sponsor. The favored
method is to offer amendments to
appropriation bills from the floor
of the Senate and House, hoping
that no objection will be made to
the consideration of the amend
ment. The chances are against
the final adoption of amendments
of this sort, but frequently politi-
cal situations leave no alternative.
Foreign affairs, which have
shared the spotlight with election
contests in the Senate, still claim
attention. The organized electric
al interests are making their pres
ence felt these days by forcing dis
cussion of power projects in the
West and South. The discussion
on railroad consultations, always
a source of debate in the Senate,
failed to register this week. The
feeling prevails that the time is
not ripe for legislative action on
this subject, besides there are sub
jects of greater political impor-
lance within shouting distance.
Now that resourceful legislators
in both Houses are resorting to
various stratagems in the race
against time, the Senate never
lacks the quorum. No school boy
ever responded so promptly as
Senators to the bells calling for
their attendance in the Senate
Chamber. These bells placed in
every corridor and room in the
Senate and House Office Build
ings, and in the Capitol, bring the
summons. Members of Congress
drop everything in their mad rush
to be present when their name is
called for vote or some other pur-
pose in the Senate or House Cham
Der.
The furry in Latin-American af-
fairs is having a salutary effect on
the preparedness program. No
body in high official circles SER
iously considers a war with the
southern republic. The discussion
has brought about an intensified
study of national defense. The
Congressional Record is filled daily
with patriotic discussions concern
ing the effectiveness of the Army
and Navy. The committees of
Congress dealing with the military
and naval establishments are be-
sieged by earnest advocates of
preparedness and disarmament,
with the result that committee
members are hard pressed in their
efforts to serve. Years ago
congressman had a job which was
regarded as sinecure, but nova
days if he fulfills his duties the
position calls for real work.
Now that the public buildings
bill, carrying millions for post
offices, has become law the Sec
rotary of the Treasury and the
Postmaster General are besieged
with requests from various COM
munities to consider local patron
age. In other words, they want
new buildings erected in their par
ticular territories. The public
buildings bill, however, confines
the appropriations to certain pro-
jects so that cabinet officers have
little lee-way in the matter. Gov
eminent buildings valued at $780,
600, 1000 will be erected in Wash
ington within the next five years.
This work is necessary because
many important government agen-
cies are housed in privately owned
buildings at excess rentals, so that |
true economy will be effected in |
housing them in government struc-
lures. Construction work has not |
started, as some differences exist
between the city planners and gov /
ernmental officials. Every effort
Is made to maintain the reputation
Of Washington as "The City Beau!
Iful."