The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-12-02
TREASURY
VAPCH-DOCS
VICILAN7
Cannon Proposes to
Ditch the River and
Harbor Bill.
MCKINLEY APPROVES
THE POLICY.
San Pedro Will Be Provided
For In the Sundry Civil
Appropriations.
SPECULATIONS RIFE AS TO
PARTY PLANS.
Anticlpations Of Legislative As
sault on the Strong Box OF The
Government.
San Pedro Will Be Provided
For In the Sundry Civil
Appropriations.
SPECULATIONS RIFE AS TO
PARTY PLANS.
Anticlpations Of a Legislative Az
sault on the Strong Box Of The
Government.
Special Dispatch to THE CALL
CALL OFFICE, RIGGs House

CALL OFFICE, RIGGs House
WASHINGTON, Dec. l.
Congressman Cannon, chairman of the
Com mlttee on Appropriations. saw the
President to-day and SAID to him that
there should be no river and harbor appro-
priation bill passed at this session of Con-
gress, in view of the deficit in the revenues.
The President agreed with him.
This will not, however, interfere with
the appropriation for San Pedro harbor
or other projects fer which Congress au-
thorized contracts to be made. These
appropriations will be made as usual in
the sundry civil appropriations bill
1t will be the purpose of the leaders OF
the House to dispose of business at the
approaching session as rapidly as possibl
and 10 secure short session. The Appro-
priations Com mittee has evidently got to
work with that object in view.
When the subcommittee met yester-
day they got right down to business, and
during the afternoon about all the neces-
sary explanations from officials of the
Treasury and State Departments of esti-
mates were submitted.
The estimates are not more than nor
mally in excess of those for the current
appropriations, it will be the result of
memb rs laking the bit in their teeth and
running away with the House.
There is considerable speculation as to
how liberal Congress will be. At the ex-
ira session it was the policy of the Speaker
and his lieutenants to have have no legis-
lation except on the tariff. 1t is therefore
impossiD ole to determ ne whether the
policy will be one OF liberality, or one that
the Democrats denominate "Retrench-
ment and Reform"
Members have been putting off the de-
mands OF their constituents for a long
time now on the plea that the Govern
mert was short of revenue. and that
needed public Improvements must wait
| until money was more plentiful.
the extra session was devoted to legis-
| lation that would get the money, and
| MANY will demand that the benefits
should be avalled. Many things that
were admitted to be meritorIous, requir-
| ing the expenditure of money, having
! been held UP, mem bers generally expect
that at this session they will begin clear
ing the docket.
Besides the building bills, num-
bering more than 200. there are many
| other public improvements proposed in
| the way of river and harbor work light
The persons interested in private claims
last year were among the most clamorous
in opposition to Speaker Reeds policy of
inaction during the special session, and
now that the reason for that policy has
been removed they will undoubtedly be
particularly pressing.
| 1t will be argued against too great li5er-
| al ty of appropriations that the revenues
have not yet sufficiently increased, and
that the money should be actually in the
trea eury before expenditures are au-
| thorized.
What Speaker Reeds attitude will be is
uncertain, but it is supposed that while
being reasonably liberal he Will try to
| hold the House IN check.
| 1t is a question in the minds of many
| how far he can succeed in the exercise OF
restraining authority. He had a pretty
hard fight in private to hold the House
back during the extra session. At that
time he had not appointed his commit
tees and each member felt some reIuc.
lance about incurring the Speakers dis.
| pleasure. Now the committees have been
announced and about he only favor.
which the Speaker has TO Destow are those
of recognition.