The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-12-12
WAR REVENUE REDUCTION.
Debate Opened in the House. Payne and Swan
SON Speak.
CRv the Associated Press

Washington, Dec. 1.-THE debate on
the War Revenue Reduction Bill opened
in the House today but was confined to
speeches by Mr.. Payne, of New York,
Chairman of the Ways and Means Com
mittee, on behalf of the majority and
Mr. Swanson, of Virginia. on behalf of
the minority.
The speaker appointed the following
committee to Investigate the death of
Cadet Booz, at West Point.
Messrs. Marsh (Rep., Ills). chairman;
Wanger (Rep., Pa, Smith (Rep.. Iowal.
briggs (Dem., N. W, and Clayton (Dem.,
N. ".
substitute resolution was reported
from the Military Affairs committee re-
questing the Secretary of War to report
the result of the investigation he is now
making of the Booz case to the hospital
together with such recommendation as he
may see fit to make.
Mr.. briggs IN. W, the author of the
original bill protested vigorously against
the adoption of the substitute resolution
as it did not include provision for an
investigation of the general subject of
haZing at West Point with a view to
making permanent stop to such prac-
tees. He declared that the practice of
UNANIMOUSLY hazing "plebs" at West Point
was notorious. He cited the case of
Whitaker who was hazed in 1880, and
whose case led to a Congressional investi-
cation. Mr.. briggs declared that he
would be in favor of abolishing the acad-
envy if these brutal practices could not
be stopped (applause).
Mr.. Wanger, of Pennsylvania, who APP
pointed Cadet Booz insisted on a Con-
RACES known to have been committed at
the academy in the past he said had
aroused the conviction that the officers
of the academy and of the army were so
jealous of the fair same of the academy
that they guarded Il as indiscreetly as
the officers of France did in the Dreyfus
case. Only Congressional investigation
would bring out the facts and lead to the
action which would forever prevent haz-
ing in the future. Mr.. Wanger had read
a letter from an official of the town of
Bristol, where Booz resided. which testi-
fed to the young mans high standing,
physically, mentally and morally which
recited the charges of brutal treatment
and which called for an investigation.
Mr.. Clayton On. W, a graduate of West
Point said; THE academy fears no in
vestigation the son of a washerwoman
and of a millionaire are on the same foot
ing when they enter the academy"
From his personal experience. Mr.. Clay
ton said he knew that the reports of
hazing were terribly exaggerated.
Mr.. Hay (Va.) favored a Congressional
investigation because he believed an in
vestigation would vindicate the academy
and the cadets.
Mr.. Hull, Chairman of the Military
Committee, said he had little faith in
Congressional Investigations; that of the
War Department he thought would be
much mere searching.
Mr.. Wanger offered a resolution for
special committee of five to investigate
the case which was adopted without di
vision. The House Immediately went into
committee of the whole and took up the
consideration of the bill for the reduction
Of the war taxes.
PAYNE SPEAKS FOR THE BILL.
Mr.. Payne IN. ", Chairman of the
Committee on Ways and Means, who had
charge of the bill, opened the debate
Mr. Payne said that in reducing the
revenue great care should be taken lest
the reduction cause a deficiency. The
committee felt as though they. had gene
to the farthest limit The sixty-five mil
lion dollars remaining after the reduction
proposed by the committee took effect
would not equal the extraordinary eX-
penses sure to follow as result of the
Spanish War, including interest on the
bonds issued to prosecute the war
amounting to five millions; and the in
creased army which both sides admit
should amount to one hundred thousand
men, for the next two or three years.
This increase in expenditure would
amount at least to sixty million dollars.
The increase in naval expenditures for
equipment together with the pensions
growing out of the late war. would add
to our expenditures ten millions more.
while there is no reason from any do
nestle cause to apprehend any disaster
in business during the next few years,
said he. yet there is a possibility of
foreign complications WHICH might have
that result. OF courSR.. depression in