Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-03
Coal Strike Commission Bill
Passed.
MEASURE CRITICISED
MIR. BENTON DECLARES PRESI-
DENT WENT BEYOND AUTHORITY
Mr.. Cannon Declares That Action
Taken Was in Response to Over
whelming Public Sentiment.

When the House of Representatives met
today the Speaker announced the appoint
ment OF Mr.. Sheppard (Texas) a member
Of the committee on public buildings and
grounds.
Mr.. Cannon GllD. chairman of the APP
propriations committee, who was to have
charge of the bill to defray the expenses
Of the anthracite coal strike commission,
which was made an order for today, hav-
Ing been detained in his committee room.
q recess was taken for 10 minutes to await
his coming.
When the House reconvened the Speaker
announced the appointment of the follow
ing committees: To visit the Naval
Academv-Messrs Watson Und), Adams
Gal and Clark CMoJ To visit the Mill
tarv Academy-Messrs. Hull Uowa3, Steele
Undl and DeArmond (Mo.)
The House then went into committee of
the whole tMr. Grosyenor of Ohio in the
chair ard took up the consideration of
the coal strike commission bill.
Before the discussion began Mr.. Gaines
CrennD stated that he desired to offer
amendment. The chair having ruled that
time. Mr.. Cannon. in charge OF the bill,
agreed that the amendment should be read
for Information. II proved to be an amend
ment TO place anthracite coal on the free
list.
Il presume the eleventh commandment
might also be read" remarked Mr.. Cannon
sententious!y. who proceeded to say that
he had no desire to discuss the bill 1t
showed on Its face what it was 1t mere
~ provided for the payment of the ex-
penses OF the coal strike commission.
Mr.. Benton Opposed
nr
preparations committee, to whom Mr.. Can
non yielded. declared that he could not sup
port the bill. As original proposition
containing authority for the creation of
commission to settle the coal strike, It
would. he said, have received his support.
But this bill proposed to place in the Presi-
dents hands $50, 600 for the payment of the
expenses of a commission for which there
was no authority, statutory or constitu-
tional. The President he said had no legal
authority Tor the creation of the commits
sion. II he could appoint a commission to
settle the coal strike without law. he could
appoint commission to settle our COM
merc'al or trade relations with Germany
or any other sort Of commission that
seemed good to him.
Il know" said he that to refer to the
Constitution is to place myself In the role
OF back number. Nevertheless do have
respect for the Constitution and the laws,
and l do not approve of this sort of pro-
ceedng'
DO you think the President should have
waited until Congress enacted a law for
the creation of a commission asked Mr.
Hemenway Ind).
Il believe it was unlawful for the Presi-
dent TO act as ne did, replied Mr. Benton,
who proceeded to say that his second OBJ
lection to the bill was that 1t placed 100000
In the Presidents hands without any limi-
tation whatever
Mr.. Livingston (Ga.) and Mr. Underwood
CAla) supported the bill although they
agreed that the Presidents action was ir-
regular
Mr.. Bartlett (Ga.) said the President had
acted pa trioticaliy. Mr.. Cochran (Mo). Mr.
Feeley md. Mr.. Gaines (Tenn) and Mr.
Maddox tGaJ Endorsed the action of the
President
Mr. Hemenway Gnd) and Mr. LACEY
Gowa) warmly defended the course of the
President. the latter characterizine It as
one OF the ''boldest' acts in the history of
the executive.
Mr.. McDermott On. j. pointed out the
TACT that the strike commission had no
power behind 1t. He thought the commits
sion should be given power to make an in
vestigation and should report its findings
to Congress.
Voiced Public Sentiment.
Mr.. Cannon, in charge of the bill, argued
that It should pass in the form in which it
was presented. If the Presidents action
had been without authority of law or con-
sutution. Mr.. Cannon said, it had been
taken IN response to an overwhelming pub
lie sentiment Il sometimes think" sad he
that Just and righteous public sentiment
coming up from the whole country of So
Wopp people. which begets action is for
the express purpose 1t represents larger
than the constitution
Mr.. Griffith Ond) offered an amendment
TO provide for the payment of the expenses
OF John Mitchell. president of the United
Mine Workers. HeNextolled the service of
Mr.: Mitchell in bringing the strike to an
end.
Mr.. Cannon. in reply. paid a high tribute
10 MI Mitchell. who. he said, was a fellow
citizen of Illinois. He said he did not be-
heye Mr. Mitchell would indorse such a
cheap john proposition
The amendment was voted down.
Bill Passed Without Division.
The bill then was passed without division.
although there were several dissenting
voices on the democratic side.
The House then at 2:35 pm. adjourned
until Friday
THE SENATE.