New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-26
RIVER AND HARBOR FIGHT.
MR.. MOODY ATTACKS MR. DINGLEY IN
THE HOUSE.
THE REPUBLICAN LEADER SHOWS HOWEVER,
THAT HE HAS NO PERSONAL INTEREST
IN TIE RocKLAND HARBoR
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE

cussion OF the Sundry Civil bill In the House this
afternoon devoted TO the river and harbor
Items of the measure II was an interesting fight
to strike out all except those improvements which
had actually been put uaGer contract. The Com
mittee on Appropriations explained by Chair
man Cannon and others included such rivers and
harbors as had been authorized TO he improved by
Congress- and the contracts made reported b.
the engineer intended to be made They were
put in to meet liabilities. as Mr.. Cannon said moro
than once in the course Of the debate. The discus
sion opened by Mr.. Parker Of New-Jcrsey.
who moved 70 strike out the Oakland (Cal) appro
priation. and pointed out n number OF places where
there no continuing contracts. He dis
claimed any criticism Of the Appropriations Com
mittee In reply TO Mr. Grosevnor. Mr. Cannon
denied that the insertion Of the items in
novaton. II had been done since the beginning Of
the continuing contract system.
Perhaps the chief feature Of interest IN the dis
cussion was the attack Of Mr.. Moody. Of Massa
chusetts on the appropriation Of 10000 for Rock
land Harbor Maine. and the reply Of Mr. D!ngley.
Mr. Moody referred the prevailing belief that
River and Harbor bill was to be passed nt this
session. He protested against some Ct the men,
bers OF the House getting in out OF the wet" I'm
the Sundry Civil bill. while others were 10 he ex-
posed TO the economy which to be imposed
upon the country. He believed that the Sundry
Civil bill should contain only appropriations 10
meet money due or to he due under contracts. He
objected to favoritism. Only few weeks ago. ne
said the coast OF Massachusetts had been strewn
with thirty wrecks Many lives had also been
lost The improvement which should have been
provided for Boston Harbor might have prevented
part of this loss He refused TO stand on the floor.
he said and submit TO the suppression Of the River
and Harhor bill.
ATTACK on Mr.. DINGLEY.
At this point Mr. Moody created a sensation by
directing his batteries upon the appropriation of
$4,000 carried in the bill for Rockand (Me) Har-
Dor As Rockland is in the district OF Mr.. Ding
ley the members realized Immediately that MI
Moody was making thinly yelled attack on the
floor leader With great sarcasm ne called atten-
ton 10 this vast appropriation for an insignificant
harbor on the Maine coast. The village and har-
Dor ne said could be buried in the haroor OF
Boston. Until last year the maximum approp'ia-
ton for Rockland had been $4,000 Suddenly las,
year the work had been placed under the contract
system and $500 900 had been appropriated lie READ
from the hearings before the Appropriations Com
mittee TO show that only about 10000 OF the APP
preparation made last year had been expended.
Mr. Greene pop. Neb-Whose district is Rock
land in2
Mr. Moody twaving his hand)-I do not care TO
state but we all know. Great laughter on the
Democratic sideD
Continuing Mr. Moody declared that II appro-
prlations for harbors in proportion 10 their I'M
nortance were provided in this bill on the scale
Of this appropriaton for Rockand. there would
not be a dollar e the revenues left. Il am ready
10 submit" declared Mr.. Moody, with great vehe-
mence Ito regime Of rigid economy II such Is
necessary and TO submit 10 honest leadership but
for one propose 10 rebel against such dscrimin-
alton" In closing Mr.. Moody gave notice tnat
he would ask the House to strike out this appro-
prlation.
Mr.. Grosvenor Rcp. Ohio. expressed his amaze
.mont at the magnitude OF the appropriation for
Rockland under the circumstances. II had not
been the practice Of the House 20 appropriate Tor
works for which the contracts had not been
actually let He denounced the policy proposed IN
the bill as ruinous. He declared that TINS ana
o,ber Items in the Sundry Civil bill should he
stricken out: that all members should be on an
equality He warned the members that II they
permitted the Sundry Civil bill to become River
and Harbor bill by indirecton. all hope OF economy
on river and harbor bills would be lost
Mr. Cannon got the floor 10 defend his bill i'm
rradia,eIv afterward and declared that the river
and harbor Items in the pending bill had oeeh IN
with more than any since the con-
,ract system had been inaugurated. Personally nc
d,d not champion river and harbor bills. and ola
not want TO be held responsible for them The
gentleman from Ohio. on the other hand had al
wavs been an ardent advocate OF river ana Maroon
bills and had been instrumental In passing SONIC
Of the largest bills ever passed
They were always idli' iAAN'''NPNN -
venor.
Soma of the most vicious bills ever reported
replIed Mr. Cannon. came from the River anu
Ua-hor Committee while the gentleman VIZ d
member Of Il. From % 70 % per ~ nUev Yet the
,Ir,sr attacks me for bringing in bill pro-
ydng for the eGpenG Gnn reS ID bctween the lines
l ne 49,, tba shoe on the gentleman and show where
ppche If al s9se 2 Wg hes Great laughter
Ny Congressional district is not aShins io' d
Then you have got II all H. ie'o''e' WI
There never was dollar spent In my district
Mr.. pINGLEYs REPLY.
Mr. Dneley then took the floor He displayed
cons,derabe feeling in replying TO the inslnuations
~ Mr. Moody. He explained first that the appro-
nriation for Rockland was not important ou' was
f'n,nIv IN aid Of the commerce OF Rockland The
innroyernent contemplated the erection OK d 1reah-
water anu S' a harbor OF refuge Is con,em-
Pr pre- 81 sandy Bay in the gentieman's own dis
'rict' saiu MnronrIaIed for Sandy Bay. The work
az Rockiand Mr. Dingey continued had noe yeen
p1, nv the River and Harbor Committee on ne
o. the Board OF ~ ybe BOARD 81
SnSneers II should be stricken out personally
,e Cared nothing about IT, and ne sala ehpnaercsy
inu IN II, or had asked FOR II. He appealed to
the members OF the committee 10 Dear nm nm, ou.
when he said ne had not maze 10 any Vi ''e'" d"
tts no.rsonai wish ne said In conclusion was 10
ms Poa Nyronristions largely reduced. and II any
- ,hsu, Gould properly be cut down or eliminated
sntirely ne would be glad TO cooperate IN that |
work - ia, ,,,,as ,,,derstood thu. thar.
-. g." he no River and Harbor bill ". A. Stone. |
:, I5c,nsvlyanla a member OF the River and Har- |
,a- com rnttee declared with great emphasis. I'VE
20 not report one this session. but this Congress
Iii NOT adjourn without River and Harbor bill"
Bo,h Mr. Stone and Mr.. Cannon corroborated |
.bat Mr. Dingey had sand with regard 10 the !
1ockand item and Mr.. Dingeys passive part in II.
After further debate. which was closed by col |
oquy between Messrs cannon and Grosvenor. full
y brlcht points Mr.. Parker's motion was defeated
" a large majority.
When the San Pedro appropriation reached |
dr Grosvenor called for information. which was |
furnished by Chairman Cannon. Mr.. Grosvenor
aid that there proposition nle at the |
Mar Department 10 make a harbor, without ex-
,cnse 10 the Government. NJ Santa Monica. Mr.. |
'annon said no such proposition had been made
o him Ho declared he would vote for II, how
yer. The points in the old controversy between