New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-10
SOME CHANGES OF LAW NEEDED.
THE PENSION DEBATE IN DETAIL
DEMOCRATIC ATTACKS on THE VETERANS AM
SwERED BY REPUBILcANS- CAN
MONS PLEA FOR ECONOMY.


swERED REPUBLICANS Mr. CAN
MONS PLEA FOR ECONOMY.
Washington Dec s-After some preliminary bust
ness the House went into Committee OF the w Who'e
Mr. Payne OF New-York. In the chair for the con-
ssderation OF the Pension Appropriation b.h which
was reported yesterday. The bill carries slil-ls"
of which $50 is for fees OF examining su:geohS
salaries Of agents and clerk hire. and the other
items for the execution OF the pension laws. W. a.
Stone (Rep PENN. In charge of the bill. explained
the different items
Mr. Stone then yielded TO Mr. Cannon. chairman
of the Committee on Appropriations. VINO TOOK oc"
cason TO make a general statement OF the esu.
mates submitted by the Secretary or the treasury
for the public service of 1899. for the purpose. he
said OF disabusing the minds of members and the
country OF false impression made by compari-
son OF these estimates with those of preceding
wears TIE estimated revenues for 1899 were sis2,-
ooo 900 the expenditures s5AOo"0co showing an es-
timated deficit Of SCI 10000 Under the last Sundry
civil Act the Secretary OF the Treasury. he point
ed out was compelled to estimate this year for
sis 0occ0o OF river and harbor work sS3"o.ooo OK
which had not been authorized by law. II this sum
not heretofore included In the estimates were de-
Quoted there would be estimated surplus Of
& OD 600 instead OF deficit. Last year the esti-
mated deficit under the last tariff act was $B.ooO-
900 II the sl7 Ooo0) for river and harbor work for
which the Government then stood bound had been
included the estimated deficit would have been
Mr. Cannon said IL might he tnat the eN-
p.ndtures for pensions for 1899 would exceed the
timates The Commissioner OF Pensions estimated
the expenditures at Sl4S 10000 II he should prove
to be right Mr.. Cannon pointed out that the $l40-
0O 90 appropriated by the bill would pay all pen.
sions for the first eleven months OF the fiscal year.
and a deficiency appropriation could be easily made
In conclusion Mr. Cannon soemny warned the
House that the large anticpatory importattons
would keep the revenues under the present law
down TO the minimum. and he appealed to his col
leagues TO see to II that while the public service
was sufficiently supplied with money one dollar
is appropriated which Is not absolutely necessary
10 the best interests Of the public service" This
statement was warmly applauded on the Republl.
side
PRIVATE" ALLEN RAISES A LAUGH
Mr. Allen (Dem.. Miss) attacked Mr.. CannonS
statement in a speech. which set the House into Q
roar OF laughter He gravely commended Mr..
Cannon's appeal for economy. but avowed that the
figures of the chairman Of the Appropriations Com.
mittee did not do the situation justice. He referred
10 the increase In the pension roll under the present
Administration. and ridiculed the idea OF decrease
unless the late Increase TO be attributed to the
"exigencies OF the recent campaign In Ohio" The
maximum had not yet been reached. This Ques-
ton Of the maximum OF the pension roll" observed