Milford chronicle., 1928-05-11
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER
CFrOm National Editorial ASJOciatiOnl
Especial TO CHRONICLE

OUR WASHINGTON LETTER
From National Editorial ASJOciGfiOH1
Especial TO cHRONIcLEl
Washington, May 9-Signs of ad
journment of the first session of the
Seventeen Congress are noted in the
, numerous committee hearings. The
major bills or at least those with
the proper political support are
finding their way out of the commit
tees to the calendar of the Senate
and House, or quietly smothered in
the committee pigeon-hOles. The
sitting process is in the hands of the
leaders and proponents of legisla-
ton lost in the shuttle have difficult
ty in explaining sudden switches of
sentiment in Congress. AS the folks
back home become better informed
on national affairs the legislator
finds his alibi punctured by those
tired of Zip service or empty prom
ises.
Perhaps, the governor factor of
official leave-taking will be the wea-
ther. The leaders cannot agree on
a definite date for shutting up the
/ legislative shop as they want to
make the best of the remaining days
/ to develop party interest before the
conventions. The humidity of Wash
! ington is beginning to have its eff
feet as talk for an early departure is
renewed, because the heat and hu-
midity make a formidable cOmbina-
ton.
1t is generally conceded that fill
ibuster will break in all its fury
within a few days. The Boulder Dam
bill which jammed the legislative
machinery last year threatens. Sen
atOrs favoring an early vote have
been advised that the opponents of
the project are prepared to filibuster
for several weeks, stunt which re-
quires skill and physical endurance.
Long hours of speech-making invol-
wing night sessions are nothing more
than endurance contests to prevent
a vote.
A local Washington newspaper
has thrown a bOmb-shell into the
ranks of the legislators here. The
publication has announced that it
will hereafter report as news the
appearance of a Senator or Repre-
sentative in a drunken condition. AS
the publication is a member of a
chain of newspapers, |
the idea is not without its signifi-
canoe. 1t is particularly timely as
night sessions are now scheduled,
which means that habits must be |
changed. There is no secret in the
fact that many legislators privately
state that they vote on prohibition
questions because majority of the
voters of their state favor measures
votes have nothing to do with their
personal affairs, theory which is
sharply questioned in both wet and
dry camps.
The Federal Trade Commission
continues to serve as the chief
source of news outside of Congress.
This agency is making merry over
It's excursion into the files of the
National Electric Light Association
ind allied groups interested in pub ;
ic utilities. The present inquiry
las been confined to propaganda ]
Methods because data sought from
he operating companies has been
low in reaching the Commission.
The Commission is apparently de-
ermined to impress Congressional {
rites with it's sincerity in this {
robe of the power interests. Their ]
has revealed activities /
# the power companies in editing
ext books in the schools dealing /
With municipal owenrship and kim
red subjects. The hearings disclos-
d that those opposed to the utilities .
ave also been active in pushing !
heir opinions into school books and !
he press. I
Though the President is not send l
lg messages to Congress, his semi
yeekly conferences with the press
nd statements to official visitors "
ave a much better effect. His y
Jews on pending Legislation are
lade known and his possible course
action indicated. Just now the
alton, especially those politically a
linded, is watching the fate of food L !
5A4SL anu 4d4 Ill LEGISLATIVE 4l6oo VI co.
he defy of the House to the threat
{ veto is regarded as a political
.roke and the White House spokes-
an freely says so. 1t is said that
lie fortunes of Hoover and Lowden,
le two leading Presidential contes-
,nts in the Republican ranks, are
ed up in the action of Mr.. Coolidge
I the proposed bills.
Visitors to Washington observe of
tie that the "city of magnificent
is becoming the "city
,autiful" Old buildings, long re-
lrded as eye-sores have been de-
olished to make way for new gov
nment building on which sixty-five
illions will be expended. The 81
'are disappearing along =
e Mall. N