The Washington times., 1902-03-22
Measure Authorizes Ex-
penditure of Sixty-one
Million Dollars.
APPROVED BY VIVA VOCE Vote
Chairman Burton Ridicules Demand for
a Greater Appropriation for Snagging
the Missouri River.

,, The river and harbor bill, authorizing
total expenditure OF SCI, 900 900, was
passed by the House yesterday, after five
days consideration in Committee of the
Whole.
An effort was made by Mr.. Sulzer Dem.
n. " to get roll call on the passage of
the bill, but he received only the good
natured jeers and gibes of members pres
ent. only three gentlemen seconding his
demand for the yeas and nays.
A number of minor changes were made
in the bill. but as was to have been ex-
changed in the measure as reported from
| the Committee on Rivers and Harbors.
Increase Asked for Missouri.
Support ing ar amendment to increase
from $4,000 to s50OO 900 the appropriation
for snagsirg the Missouri River. Mr..
Shackleford Dem, Mo- said that great
river was being neglected by the Commit
tee on Rivers and Harbors.
1--WE have nobody on the committee,
be said, ito plead our cause. BY the time
it gets to the Missouri River the pork bar
rel is SO full that they have no need of
us and we are forgotten"
To this statement. Mr.. Burton. chair
nan of the Committee on Rivers and Har-
bors, replied:
THE gentleman speaks of pork If
there is any district in the United States
that has been gorged with pork 1t is his
own, because it has received appropria-
tions for about 81. $50. 900 for systematic
ipor n
out there with a miscroscope you could
not find a trace of the Improvement over
the whole space where that s.. $50 600 was
expended.
"A man brought up in that kind of sur
roundings naturally comes in here and
talks about pork in a river and harbOr
bill. because he has been accustomed to
see the money wasted.
The Amendment Rejected.
The amendment was rejected.
Mr. Gaines (Dem., Tenn.) called atten-
ticn to an amendment adopted by the
committee yesterday at the instance OF his
colleague. Mr. Richardson. 1t authorized
the Secretary of War, in his discretion,
TO grant leases or licenses to the owners
of land abutting on lock and dam No. 1
on the Cumberland River, near Nash
vile, for the use OF the water power thus
created at such late and under such
conditions as he deemed best
He said he had never heard of the
proposition until shortly before Mr.. Rich
ardson offered the amendment, although
the lock and dam are located in his dis
trict, within a mile and a half of his
door. He expressed the opinion that he
should have been at least consulted in the
matter. and especially SO in view OF the
fact that the privilege or right thus to
be disposed Of was exceedingly valuable,
and, in his opinion. should be leased only
upon competition duly advertised.
MIR. Moon. another colleague. had stat I'd
that reputable, respo nsible concern in
New York had offered to pay 1891 00J for
their right to use the power created at
Chattanooga: if the right there was
worth that sum at Nashville it was worth
at least 81 500 900, more than enough to
build the locks and dams desired on the
upper reaches of the Cumberland.
To Advertise for Bids.
He offered an amendment directing the
Secretary of War to advertise for pro-
posals for the use OF the power at Nash
ville the proceeds TO be used in the con-
struction OF further Improvement OF the
river.
Mr.. Richardson explained that he be-
came interested in the matter at the
rbquest of constituent of Mr..
Gaines, while that gentleman was
out OF the country, and the amend
mcnt he had introduced yesterday had
been drawn by Mr.. Burton, in charge OF
the bill.
Mr.. Gaines amendment was agreed to.
Without further material change, the
reading of the bill was completed. the end
being reached amid applause. The COM
mittee rose, the bill and amendments were
reported to the House. the amendments
were adopted, and the bill was passed.
Mr.. Snlzer, tDem.. N. ", demanded a
vote by yeas and nays. but could secure
tina support of but three colleagues, not
a sufficient number