The morning call., 1894-03-20
Severe Criticism of Missouri
River Improvement.
AN EXTRAvAGANT COMMISSION.
Consideration of Appropriation Bills
Causes Lively Session in
the House.

Josephs, the New Mexico delegate. to pass
the bill for the admission of that Territory
TO Statehood, under suspension OF the
rules, but it being apparent that the Dem
ocrats did not have quorum present be
decided not to make the effort.
Without transacting any routine busi-
ness the House went into committee Of
the whole, and the consideration OF the
sundry civil bill was resumed. The
paragraph appropriating S750,00O 10 be
expended under the direction of the Mis-
souri, River Commission was then pend
ing discu ssion. Catchings continued
for brief time his argument against par
ceiling cut by restriction portions OF the
river and harbor appropriations made un-
der the continuing contract system.
Hermann (R) of Greg N eulogized the
contract system for the waterways of the
country; the inauguration of which, he
said, was one of the granoest achievement S
of the Fifty-frst Congress.
Mr.. Loud OF California criticized the in
justice of the system to those "who are
not in on the proposition" NJ man was
better able to defend the system than Mr..
Catchings nor to second it than Mr.. Her.
mann, both of whom had their projects
through which they were interested In the
system. His objection to the river and
barbor Improvements was that they were
not made to benefit the whole country but
to satisfy certain interests. He showed
that the Southern States had received up
to 1890 S60, ,000,0 600 for river and harbor im-
prOvements, while the value of their ship
ping was only S1S,o00,0O0, while the Pa
cifc Coast, with S23. 100000 value in
shipping, had only received $4,000, 900,
and of this amount Oregon had received
the lions share. S6.0O0OO0. Mr.. Loud
made such good showing for California
that Hermann of Oregon attempted
reply. Mr.. Loud mollifed the Oregon
Congressman by saying that Oregon Jared
so we'll because of the ability of Senators
Mitchell and Doph and Representative
Hermann, whose fitness for Congressional
work the Oregon people appreciated.
Hainer Of Nebraska criticized severely
the work Of the Missouri River Commits
sion. OF the 100000 appropriated
81. 100000 had been used on the same reach
of fourteen miles at Jefferson City, At
the present rate 1t would require $50, ,0OO,-
600 and 40 years to reach Sioux City. The
Missouri River Commission proposed to
expend over $500, ,OO0.O GOO of the sum car
ried by this paragraph on the first reach of
the river above Kansas City. Not one
dUllar was to be used for Omaha, Atchison
and Leavepwortb and the other cities on
the river where the Missouri was making
great eDcroachments.
Pickler of South Dakota advocated an
amendment TO divert 100000 of the ap-
preparation for the Missouri to the stretch
of 1900 miles above Sioux City.
Heard defended the Missouri River Com
mission and the money expended at JEFF
ferson City.
Mercer Of Nebraska advocated his
amendment TO set aside S50,0O0 of the
Missouri River APPROPRIATION for the re-
mOval of snags and distractions above
Sioux City and S150,00O for the construc-
tion of reyetmeDts, dikes and works be-
tween the south line of Nebraska and
Sioux City.
After few closing words by Catchings
warning the House against demoralizng
the systematic work done by the commits
sion by parcelng out portions of the ap-
propriations action was had on the amend
ments.
The first was Mr.. Broderick's to set
aside $50, 600 to strengthen the dikes at
Alchison and Leaven worth, Kansas. 1t
was lost.
The Picker and Mercer amendments
were also lost.
The next and last paragraph in the bill
was that relating TO the Soldiers Home,
against two clauses of which (placing the
disDursiDg ufficer of the homes under
bonds and requiring an annual repor. on
The conditions of the homes TO the Secre-
tsry of WAR Mr.. Black had raised point
Of order.
Mr.. Black of Illinois, one of the men,
bers of the Board Of Managers of National
homes, opposed the two clauses referred
TO. Congress. he said, had dealt NUM-
6cently with this board. Over S60, 600, 600
had been apportiOned. and not one dollar
had been lost. Suits for recovery were
pending against General Buffers estate in
Massachusetts. and recent treasurer In
Wisconsin. Some 33 GOO old soldiers were
maintained at these homes. he was op-
posed TO the change as proposed by the
bill. 1t might handicap the managers.
Mr. Cannon advocated the change. An
agreement was reached that further de-
bate on the pending paragraph be ter
minated in thirty minutes, after which the
committee rose.
Mr.. Cultivate, chairman of the Commit
tee on Military Affairs. presented the army
appropriation bill, and then, at B 80 o'clock.
the House adjourned.