Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-04-22
Carries Big Appropriation
Emergency River and
HarbOr Bill Goes Thru
REPUBLICANS ARE CRITICIZED
German Scores Them Severely For Not
Passing General River and Har-
Dor Bill, Which Failure He Claims
Was Due to "a Decree Coming From
an AIIpowerful Source

Washington, April 22.--The pension
appropriation bill carrying an appro-
priation of over $137.o00,000, and the
emergency river and harbor appropria-
ton bill, which carries 100000, We're
passed by the senate, leaving only the
general deficiency and the military
academy bills of the entire list of sup
ply measures still to be considered by
the senate. The house bill increasing
the size of homestead entries in west
ern Nebraska to $40 acres also re-
ceived favorable consideration. While
the river and harbor measure was un-
der consideration Mr.. German sharply
criticized the failure to bring in a gen
eral river and harbor bill.
Speeches were made on the pension
bill by Messrs. McCumter and Scott,
the later declaring that he favored a
service pension of $25 per month:
When the pension bill was read Mr..
McCumber expressed the opinion that
the time was approaching for the en-
actment OF a general service pension
law In this connection he referred to
previous service pension laws, and IN
cidentally mentioned the fact that
there were still living about 500 sons
and daughters OF soldiers of the revo-
lutionary war.
Pension Order.
Mr.. McCumber also discussed the re-
cent executive pension order. contend
ing that Il, was In harmony with the
laws making pensioners dependent up
on physical disability. He said that
the fixing Of sixty years as the age OF
half disability and OF seventy five years
as the age Of total disability had been
the result of long and careful inquiry
by the pension office; and that 1T had
been found necessary to have a gener-
al and fixed rule to insure uniformity.
The emergency river and harbor APP
preparation. bill was taken up at this
point Mi German asked why no
general river and hartor bill was TO
be passed at the present session.
Mr.. Elkins, In charge Of the bill, re-
piled that the judgmen'. OF the COM
mittae on commerce. which had re-
ported the bill, had been that gem
eral bill could not be passed, and ina
the state OF the treasury ana OF the
public business would rot justify such
a measure. There was controversy
between Mr.. Aldrich ard Mr.. German
the latter charging the republicans
with a determination to force an early
adjournment for political purposes, ana
Mr.. Aldrieh asserting that Mr.. German
could discuss public questions as long
as he chose.
Mr.. German criticised the republi-
cans for not passing 4 general river
and harbor bill, which was due to IA
decree coming from an all-powerfui
source"
The bill was passed and Mr.. Nc
cumber reported an amendment to the
pension Till appropriattng s4,ooo,oo0 IN
addition to the sum carried by the Din
as reported, of which amount Sl,50o,ooo
is to pay Increased pensions to July
/, under the old age order, and $4,000
600 to meet the deficiencies.
Mr.. Hale made the point OF order
that the amendment belongs on the
deficiency bin where II had been taken
care OF and the chair sustained the
point.
Mr.. Sc,,tt expressed regret that Mr.
McCunlber had felt called on to defend
the pension system. Tie man who, like
Senator Nelson or Senator Aldrich had
taken his knapsack on his back desery-
ed the gratitude OF his country. II
makes nj, difference whether the def
cheney is four millions or four hundred
millions. / am for the soldier and his
widow and children, and IL I could do
so by a vote OF mine. would pay a