Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-03-20

WASHINGTON. March 1S-The house.
AFTER eIecting q new doorkeepers welit INTO
COMMITTEES Of the whole and resumed the
consideration OF the river and harbOr bill.
When Mr.. Hepburn Qowa). who has
fought river and harbor bills ever since
he came to congress. arose 70 speak. there
was an outburst OF applause on both sides
OF the kcRse- Il rise to make my annual
contribution IA river. and harbor htera-
ture. with a miscellaneous assortment OF
notions he began. Il recognize, he
continued, the utter futility Of saying
anything against this bill recognized
that fact years ago. when the pork IN the
barrel was only 100000. How manifestly
impossible Il IS 70 make Roadway against
Il now that the appropriations aggregate
tenoo0 COO At the same time / md IN con-
rection with the presentation OF the pend
ing bin some things to commend-a rare
thing IN my experience We have at the
head OF the river and harbor committee
an ideal chairman for the purposes In
view-one who. I believe. is striving 10
secure public rather than private benefits,
one looking for the welfare Of this great
nation and the promotion OF its commerce,
not the elevation Of A. B. or c. 10 seats
upon this fioor. CApplause) Mr.. Hep
burn commended the COMMITTEES for taking
the back track upon wasteful expendi-
lures IN certain directions. pointing out
the abandonment Of further improvements
OF the Missouri river az final fuIillment
~ predictions made eighteen years ago.
He said that congress should set definite
limit upon the depth OF water sought TO
be obtained in seaport harbors, thirty feet
for instance. and place a limit on naval
architecture. Otherwise, he declared,
there would be no end 10 the depth Of wa
ter which would be demanded
1Ir. Bah, Of Texas. a member Of the
river and harbor committee. contended
that his committee was more economical
in proportion TO the interests served than
any committee OF the house.
speak king OF the Hennepin canal. Mr..
Hepburn admitted that ne had voted for
f. But. considering the mental penance
I have undergone since" said he, and
my infancy and ignorance when cast the
vote. Il viii not go as hard with me as
with a hard-hearted old sinner like my
friend from Illinois CAr. Reeves If he
should attempt TO indulge in another such
freak 81 legislation CLaughterl
The canal was projected 10 get the pro-
duce 81 the farmers OF Iowa 10 the great
lakes" suggested 1fr. Reeves.
Quite true. retOrted Mr.. Hepburn,
"but the farmers OF that day are all dead.
while the fncompleted canal continues TO
draw fts annual appropriations from the
treasury" CRenewed laughter.)
While acquitting the chairman OF the
committee OF looking 70 anything but the
public welfare. Mr.. Hepburn said there
were gentlemen upon the committee who
did not hesitate 20 log rolf TO secure ap-
uropriations for their own schemes
Without desiring 10 reflect upon the cour-
age Of the present speaker. he expressed
the hope that the time would come when
there would be a speaker with wonderful
courage" who would see TO IL that the
committee was composed Of men who had
no special interests 70 be conserved
Mr.. White. OF Kentucky. spoke in favor
OF the bill.