The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-01
Passes the sundry Civil Bill with Sew
eral Important Amendments That
Will Take Much Money.
MR.. PECK UNDER HEAVY FIRE
SENATORS ALLEGE THAT HE HAS
BEEN ExTRAyAGANT At PARIS.
Several Member Oppose Appoint
ment of COmmtssions-Arkan-
sas Jones's Charges.

WASHINGTON, May 31.-At the conclu-
sion of a session lasting eight hours the
Senate this evening passed the sundry
civil appropriation bill, which has been
under consideration for nearly a week. The
amendment providing for an a%ppropria-
ton of s5.OOo.00 O for the Louisiana purchase
exposition, to be held in st. Louis in 1908.
was continued in the bill. An effort was
made TO reduce the amount to be appro-
priated, but IL was unsuccessful. An
amendment was Incorporated providing for
the beginning of the work on the memorial
bridge between Washington and Arlington
Cemetery. to be erected in memory of the
dead of both the Union and Confederate
armies. While the bill carries only 100000
for the project, it is expected ultimately to
cost about 5000. 900. An amendment also
was added to the measure providing for an
adjustment of certain claims of the States
of New York. Pennsylvania. Virginia. Del
aware, California. Oregon and South Caro-
lima. The passage of the sundry civil bill
leaves only two general appropriation bills
to be acted on by the Senate-the Military
Academy and the general deficiency meas
ures. 1t Is expected they will be passed
by Saturday night
When the Senate convened Mr.. Gallinger,
from the committee on commerce., reported
an amendment to the sundry civil bill au-
thorizing a commission to investigate trade
conditions in the Orient. The amendment
is the same offered by Mr.. Gallinger in the
senate on Tuesday.
Mr.. Plat, of Connecticut. protested
against the creation of further commits
sions and against the making of further
appropriations for expositions. He de-
clared that certain promoters made a bust
ness of organizing expositions and arousing
the public feeling to work on Congress.
Mr.. Gallinger said that the President of
the United States was the first promoter
of the commission, having twice recon-
mended its creation.
Mr.. Pettigrew said commissions with
out number had been appointed by the
President. He believed the proposed COM
mission meant simply the furnishing of
five good places for as many politicians.
Our consuls could obtain the desired in
formation.
attack upon the administration of the Paris
exposition commission by Commissioner
General Ferdinand w. Peck. He pointed
out that the law creating the commission
general to make a detailed report of his
expenditures TO Congress. Up to Jan. /,
1906. Commissioned General Peck had ac-
counted for less than $f0o.000 of the 81, 400, 600
appropriated for exposition purposes. He
demanded to know where the balance of
the appropriation had gone. The so-called
detailed statement contained such items
as $72. 900 for clerk hire. 1924 for personal
travelling expenses of the commissioner
general, etc, which, Mr.. Jones said. was
ridiculous as "details" ut is time said
cease. The statements ought to be item
lied in accordance with the mandate of the
law"
"who is his person Peck?" inquired Mr..
Stewart.
81 do not know replied Mr.. Jones.
IF he Is a business man," suggested Mr..
Stewart, there might be a suspicion of his
honesty; if not, his recklessness may be at
to his ignorance"
Mr.. Jones said that In this connection he
desired to direct attention to the expendi-
ture of the fund of $50. 0O0,0 900 voted by Con-
gress to the President TO be used as a war
fund. He had. he said, the ut
most confidence in the integrity of the
President, but thought IL was due the public
a statement of the disbursement of
fund should be made. He referred to
a story published to-day concerning the
purchase of a yacht at Buffalo, N. Y, the
charge being made that one man had re-
ceived a commission of 5000 for effecting
the sale of the vessel TO the government,
offered by the government for s25, 600. He
called attention also to other stories con-
corning the purchase Of ships by the gov
eminent which, he believed. ought to have
the light of day thrown upon them. II be-
said Mr.. Jones. that such a state
ment ought to be made as would set at rest
the slanderous rumors and stories that are
afoat IL they can be set at rest. / hope
there is not a word of truth In them, but
II is due the people to know how this $780,
600. 600 was expended"
Mr.. Burrows presented several
giving the amounts allotted by the Presi-
dent out of the $50, 900, 600 emergency appro-
to the several departments of the
government. They showed that the amount
to the Navy Department was $29.-
973. 274, and to the War Department SIS. $685.
600, nearly $4,000. 900 Of which had not been
expended and would be turned back into
the treasury.
Mr.. Lodge said that every vessel pur-
chased by the Navy Department had been
passed upon and appraised by a board OF
naval officers before the purchase was
made.
Mr.. Jones said he was glad to have these
but thought Ii desirable that every
possible ray of light should be shed upon
the expenditures of public money by public
Off cers.
Mr.. Pettigrew then made the point of cr-
der against the amendment of Mr.. CALM
that il was new legislation
Mr.. Allen made a speech on what he
termed the Indifference of the Senate to
the cause of the Beers.
After further debate and the adoption of
amendments the bill passed.