New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-29
A RIVER AND HARBOR BILL
WORK ON 1T BEGUN.
Sh07o Yarns against Extravaganza
Estimates and appropriations.

IFROM BUREAU
Washington, Nov. 2S.-The House Committee on
Rivers and Harbo-s has begun work on bill de-
signed, so far as is possible. with due regard to
the condition of the Treasury to satisfy the vari
Gus sections of the country which eking i'm
proVements for their waterways. A stupendous
amount would be required to provide for the con
tinuance Of the indispensable national improve
ments already under way TO say nothing of the
additional appropria ton necessary for the new
projects suggested For this reason. and hearing
in mind Chairman Hemenway's notice given at
the last session that he would apply the pruning
Knife to all appropriations the River and Harbor
committee will separate the important necessary
improvements from those regarded as less mpor-
tant and pressing. and then formulate a bill II
Is the intention of the committee ascertain ap-
proximatey the amount of money Congress may
be reasonably expected appropriate for river and
harhor improvements and then provide proportion
ately in the bill for the important projects
Previous hearings have given the committee alum
dant data with which intelligentlv and equtab.y
to frame measure for the Improvement of the
rivers ana harbors of the country. Because of lie
material already hand the committee will at
present give no further hearings but will receive
in writing any suggestions which might assist in
Secretary shaw is s' not Believer in the wisdom
OF enactng river and harbor legislation az the COM
ing session of Congress. He does not think that the
state of the revenues justifes any such drain
Would be- manifestiy indscreet Tor me to advise
Congress In this matter, said Mr. Shaw, this after
noon An can do is to say; Study the condition
Of the Treasury tor yourself. and then tell me
whether you think big River and HarbOr bill
ought to be passed. My estimate OF the deficit for
this fiscal year was. believe s22 0O)O00 The esti-
mate that have made for the year 1905-'O6 will be
found in my forthcoming annual report and will
speak for itself. II the gentlemen upon the hill
wish pass a bill of the kind mentioned. they will
probably do without consulting me- Each branch
of the government conducts its affairs seems best
and wisest from its own point of view, and is in
clined to resent any interference of meddlng from
any of the other branches
meeting of the Committee Appropriations
will be held tomorrow, although its chairman,
Mr.. Hemenway is absent in Indiana, looking after
his candidacy for the Senate to succeed the Vice
President-elect, Mr.. Fairbanks Already some OF
the big supply bills have been whipped into shape
for the consideration OF the committee The Legis-
atve bill has come from the hands OF the printer,
as has also the District of Columbia bill, and others
will now follow IN rapid succession While every
item of expenditure will be subjected 10 the rigid
scrutiny of this committee, which is determined
to exercise the utmost caution TO prevent extrava-
CANT appropra tons. it is believed that il will be
difficult hold the total much If any. below
the amount appropriated last year which footed up
approximately $1Sl,1OOO0. The estimate of the APP
places the total $3.50 O1lO0O in numbers in
elusive of S1O2 100000 for the navy and $6OO00O0
rivers and harhors These estimates will he cut
without hesitation wherever II he done without
Withholding money absolutely needed for the proper
maintenance of the government.
Representative Hemenway has repeatedly demon
Strated his unyiedng opposition 10 extravaganza in
appropriations but he believes that this country is
big enough and rich enough to provide the money
required for good government housekeeping, and
that money will unquestionahly be forthcoming.