Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 37, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 January 1905 — WASHINGTON GOSSIP [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WASHINGTON GOSSIP

One of the moat eerlous problems before Congress Is the question what, if anything, can be done to*regulate the operations of great corporations for the protection of the public without Interfering with the legitimate development of capital or coming into collision with the reserved rights of the States under the constitution. Commissioner James R. Garfield of the Bureau of Corporations, in his first annur.J report, recommends the adoption of a system under which all corporations which do an interstate business should be required to have a national franchise or license. He would make conformity with all * necessary requirements regarding corporate organization and management a condition to the grant of such a license, and the making of all required reports and returns a condition to its retention, and would strut out from Interstate and foreign commerce all corporations which did not hold such a license. He argues that some such system as this is needed to correct existing abuses arising from the practice of chartering corporations in States whose laws are lax to carry on business in other States to the laws of which they cannot be held accountable because of their Incorporation elsewhere.

Professor Harvey W. Wiley, of Washington, is one of the most notable chemists in America, and he has made

excellent use of ills knowledge. None of his efforts to diffuse knowledge, however, has made such a firm impression on the public mind as have his experiments to determine the effect produced on the human system by the preservatives used by manufaettFeers

"of can fieri goods For the purpose of accurate observation Professor Wiley organized a “poison squad” composed of a dozen healthy young employes of the agricultural department, ■who were fed on suspected foods for a certain length of time. The claims of manufacturers and others that these goods were harmless have been disproved by the “poison squad's” experience. The members of it were all made ill save one, and he “had rheumatism.” It is possible without straining the system of government or subverting any of the vital principles upon which the republic is founded to lengthen the second session of the retiring Congress in order to administer the oath to the President at a season when an outdoor pageant is possible and safe and when great numbers of the people can, without danger to their lives, assemble to witness the supremo act of free government. Considering the volume of sentiment on tills subject, the urgent practical reason in favor of the change and the utter lack of reasonable objections, the marvel Is that the necessary amendment has not long ago been adopted, relieving this country of a four yearly menace. The Senate’s youngest man after next March promises to be Representative Burkett of Nebraska, who has thirty-seven years to his credit. His prospective honors may be taken away should the State Legislatures that elect next month pick up some young colt not now in the public eye. Although the Senate is supposed to be composed largely of old men and although the oldsters are still very numerous, threescore and ten being no distinction whatever there, young men are : rapidly gaining the seats. Mr. Hemenway, who will be the next Senator from Indiana, is 44. lie and his colleague. Senator Beveridge, who is 42, will be among the youngest men in the Senate. But Senator Dick of Ohio, who succeeds Senator Hanna, an old man, Is only 4(5. Seaker Cannon is wielding a gavel made from, a piece of dogwood which grew on the farm where he was born, near Guilford, N. C. John C. Fox, of that place, presented it to Mr. Cannon. “Uucle Joe" was delighted to get the relic, und assured Mr. Fox that ho would take the best of care of it. “But you know,” he added, "the life of a guvel in the House of Representative# is a short, merry and difficult one. It has a rough road to travel and is subjected to a great many hard knocks. It doesn’t lead the simple life, by a considerable sight.” While the American Congress is considering bills admitting the Inst of the territories us States, the Canadians are planning to carve two provinces out of the Northwest Territories, with selfgovernment similar to that enjoyed by the other Canadian provinces. Naval estimates for the fiscal year ending June 30* 1000, aggregate $114,630,038, an increase of $17,372,448 over the last appropriation. The estimate for the Navy Department proper ’ I# $768,010. The estimate for the pay of the navy is an Increase of $078,907 over the last appropriation. President Roosevelt gave the first dinner of the season at the White House. Eighty guests were present, members of the cabinet being the gueeta of honor.

H. W. WILEY.