Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-25
PENSION BILL TAKEN UP.
Senator German Claims That the Ap
pr0pria ton Is InsufRc Gent.


After The Stars report of the Senate
proceedings yesterday was closed Mr.. Nor
gan continued to comment On Mr.. Cleve-
lands attitude toward Hawaii.
In accordance with notice previously
given, Mr.. Perkins (Cal) called up the pen
sion appropriation bill.
g Mr.. Gallinger On. HI secured the adop-
ton of an amendment providing that here
after no pension shall be paid upon power
of attorney from pensioners residing in for
eign countries.
Mr.. German said that the commissioner
of pensions had submitted estimates to the
Secretary of the Interior which showed
that S14S, 337 GOO, and possibly as high as
$50 90. 900, would be necessary for the PEN
sion department during 1899 He read from
some statements made by the commissioners
of pensions before House committee, in
the course of which Commissioner Evans
predicted that there would be deficiency
unless a larger appropriation were made.
At this point Mr.. Mason Ull) inquired,
Have you any fear that We shall have
to borrow as much money as you did,?
1.-The point I MAKE" replied Mr.. German,
sis that you are not :levying enough taxes
to pay the expenses of the government.
Mr.. German concluded with the state
ment that it had been predetermined Con-
gress should adjourn with slim appropria-
tons and no legislation whatever.
Mr.. Perkins (Cal.), in charge of the BILL
the bill, saying that it had been framed
upon estimates submitted by the Secretary
of the Interior, the officer of the govern
ment charged with that duty. AS to the
statements concerning the tariff law by
the senator from Maryland, Mr.. Perkins
expressed his belief that the law would
yet produce sufficient revenues to meet all
the expenses of the government.
In the course of an extended statement
Mr.. Allison Qowa), chairman of the COM
mittee on appropriations, declared that
sucn purpose as had been attributed by the
Senator from Maryland (Gorman) to the
committee on appropriat ions was news to
him. Il may say said Mr.. Allison, that
it is neither the purpose of the committee
on appropriations nor of the republican
party to Shirk any proper responsibility.
Mr. Allison pointed out the fact that such
reductions as were made in the appropria
lions would necessarily have to be confined
to two or three of the great appropriation
measures. He discussed at length Mr.. Cor
mans statements concerning the deficiency
which he had said was growing up con-
Guiding with an expression of belief that
the present tariff law would produce ample
revenue for the needs of the government.
I Mr.. German Replies.
|. Mr. German replied to Mr.. Plat and Mr..
Allison, reading at length from the state
ment of Commissioner of Pensions Evans
before the House committee on appropria-
lions. He disclaimed any desire to reflect
he was satisfied the reduction in the esti
mates was made by the heads of depart
ments and not by the committee. There
is, however" concluded Mr.. German, IAN
evident determination on the part Of the
administration to keep the appropriations
within possible revenues, in order that
fictitionS balance may be shown.
Mr.. Gallinger On. H.). chairman Of the
pensions committee, then made a brief
statement concerning his position as to
pensions. He had been sharply criticised,
he said, because of the attitude he had as
stunned as to certain phases of the pension
question, but he was satisfied to rest upon
his record. He was, he said in favor of
the payment of a pension to every man or
woman honestly entitled to a pension.
Mr.. Allen (Neb.) offered an amendment
to the bill providing that hereafter no PEN
sion of less than eight dollars month
should be granted, and that all pensions
less than IS a month now being paid be
raised to that amount
Mr.. Perkins made the point against the
amendment that it was new legislation.
Mr.. Alien took Mr.. Perkins point of order
as a text for an extended speech in which
he lampooned the republican party, declar-
ing in the course of his remarks that the
republican party was the worst enemy the
old soldier had.
Mr.. Perkins said, in replying to Mr.. AL
lens statement, that the Senator from Me-
braska had taken an opportunity offered
him to deliver a political speech when it
was well-known fact that the republican
party was the friend Of the soldiers.
Without reaching any conclusion as to
the point of order against Mr.. Aliens
amendment, the Senate at $50 D. m, on
motion of Mr.. German, adjourned until to-
day.