The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-17
DOCTORS BILLS NOT PAID
THEIR CHARGES FOR ATTENDING
M'KINLEY NOT YET KNOWN.
Alleged to Have Declined to Present
Estate-Statesmen's Perquisites.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Feb. I6.-No one i'm Con-
gress has had the temerity TO stand for the
Buffalo doctors bill for attendance on the
late President Mckinley. Some time early
in the winter a statement was made on
behalf of these doctors, giving their rea-
son why they came to Congress with their
bills. Their charges were so excessive,
compared to any like services rendered to
private patients, that their explanations
were not well received.
1t is generally understood the executors
of President McKinley's estate held a con-
ference here and in Buffalo relating TO
these physicians bill. They refused TO
make any public statement, but it is as
sumed they offered To accept the accounts
for services for settlement. The physicians
apparently refused to render statements,
fearing to prejudice their cases before
Congress. 1t is a safe guess that the SEN
ators and representatives would not be
disposed to favor payment of excessive
bills. although it is equally certain they
would make what they consider reasonable
appropriations for such a purpose.
In this connection it is recalled that the
undertaker's bill for the President Garfield
NA-1 1J ~
cause exorbitant charges were made. Con-
gress refused to be held up. Partial pay
ment was made, but the undertaken still
has a bill against the government.
X x
The senators now make ii a point to fire.
quently refer in their speeches to the mis-
cradle ~pittances" paid senators and repre-
sentatives for their services. Sena or Lodge
- -aev4,vffl0 far fh. Dlra- =. ,0F,~s-
marks. 1t is evidently the intention of the
federal legislators to keep constantly re-
ferring to this in the hope of gaining pub
lie sympathy, with the expectation that
within a few years a measure increasing
the compensation of congressman will be
given popular support.
In these sly many peculiar re-
marks are made. For instance. Senator
Lodge referred TO the fact, and Mr.. Teller
asked that IL be made very clear, that the
clerical force of the Senate was paid by
the financial officer Of the Senate, and there
was no money paid TO the senators 10 be
expended for clerk hire. They were trying
to bring out the point that in the House
each member is allowed 800 a month for
clerk hire. The legal intention was that
this money should be paid by the repre-
sentatives for private secretaries. As a
matter of fact many of the members put
all or most of this money in their pockets.
Many employ secretaries for a much less
sum.
The Senate gives itself a much more lib
eral allowance for clerical assistance than
the lower house is permitted. The favorite
way Of the Senate for increasing this force
is to begin by paying salaries out OF the
contingent fund of the Senate, which II
controls without the consent Of the House,
and later have the accounts transferred to
the regular legislative appropriation. Since
the founding of the Republic the House
has always protested against this, but the
Senate has been powerful enough TO have
it's own way. There is always the danger,
however, that the House will not yield &c
the Senate, and. as Senator Allison ex-
planned the other day, IL is oftentimes very
announcement to make the representative
agree to the roundabout way OF gettine
more clerks. Mr.. Allison knows, as nc
always must make the fight.
The indulgences of the Senate gall the
House. For instance, the senator's are al.
lowed a Geographic account. Each senate
is provided with a telegraph card. and thi:
enables him TO send at government ex.
pense all messages pertaining TO oflcia
business Official business IS a very
elastic word. and this privilege is a matter
of great economy TO the senator's, although
it cannot be justly said that the right /.
generally abused. 1t is also a fact tina
senators have a great deal more CORE
%spondence, postal and t~elegraphic. than IN,
members of the House.