The Savannah morning news., 1904-01-26

81 Chairman BurtOns announce
+Snnsm of Economy Has
s.rncI. the Administrntion-EN |
0Iouation That Principal Harbors
1viII Re Taken Care of Under Sum
6rv Civil Appropriation Bill.
By r. NJ. Larner
washington, Jan. 25.-There is a
rowing feeling of indignation among
,a,,,bArs of Congress who are interest
"a in river and harbor projects, which
ave to suffer because the adminstra-
.ion has decreed that there shall be
M river and harbor bill before the
panama canal deal is consummated.
representative Lester, and other
members of the River and Harbor
Committee have been looking for a
moderate bill from their committee
during the present session, but their
expectations have been blighted by the
formal announcement of Chairman
Burton that it is not considered ad-
yisable to bring forth general river
and harbor bill this session.
savannah Project Postponed.
This means that the thirty-foot
channel project, in which Savannah
is so vitality interested, must be post
poned until some future period. Before
Congress assembled, Chairman Burton
came to Washington to confer with
the authorities at the War Depart
ment who have charge of the river
and harbor work. Mr. Burton's COM
anittee had spent several weeks travel
ing around the country at the expense
of the government, making personal
inspection of certain projects, intended
to be of general benefit to commerce.
MI Burton was then in favor of
liberal river and harbor bill 1t was
also announced at the War Depart
ment, that although Secretary Root,
was opposed to river and harbor bills
on general principles, he recognized
the Importance of making special
provision for the Improvement of some
OF the great waterways of the country.
Talk of General Retremchment.
Since the report of the Secretary of
the Treasury to the effect that there
z is likely to be a deficit in the reVe-
nues next year, the word has gone
forth that a general retrenchment
shall be made in river and harbor, ex-
penditureS, public buildings, and other
internal improvements. To add color
10 the retrenchment programme
the president and his Cabinet devoted
consideration
requiring employees in the government
departments at Washington to linger
in their respective offices an extra half
hOur daily. AS further evidence of
practical economy, several officials are
to be deprived of the privilege of hav-
ing horse and carriage at their dis
posal.
Spasm of Economy a Curtain.
This spasm of economy forms an ex-
ceIlent curtain to hide other extrava-
gances in the public service. which will
probably be overlooked during the ex-
element of an approaching presidential
campaign. NO notice is taken of the
time occupied by federal officers in
travelling from one point to another
WORKING up sentiment and arranging
Tor the sending of delegates to the Chi
Cago convention. with Instructions to
vote the Roosevelt ticket
The formal announcement from
CHAIRMAN Burton that there will be no
general river and harbor bill is er1bar-
iaSSng to large majority of the mem
pels OF the House and Senate, who
would be glad of an opportunity to try
anu put through a bill on the subject.
II such measure were reported from
Inc appropriate committee The mem
Dels OF the Rivers and Harbor Com
ihlttee nave for the past few weeks
Deeh ahXiously looking for a call for n
meeting OF that committee, to take I'D
Inc consideration of the river and har-
Dor OIL. Instead of a call, they have
received a weekly notice from the prac-
! t,CaIIy unemployed clerk, to the effect
Ihere Will be no regular meeting of
Inc committee this week."
DiscOurnging to New Projects.
me explanation is offered that near
y all Of the important improvements
are provided for under the continuing
CpHuact system, and, therefore, the
PllHclpal harborS of the country will
De taken care of in the sundry. civil
Appropriation bill. This may be accept
aDIe TO those localities having great
projects already under wav. but if is
wy ulscouraging to those localities
Heeding Immediate aid in improving
tner commercial highways
II poll OF the House and Senate
were taken it would disclose the fact
nnat majority of the two houses
mould much prefer that $50, 100000 of
the public money should be made i'm
ileuately available for rivers and har-
por ana public buildings, at home, than
~ contribute the same amount of
tnoney TO carry out the questionable
edl with the French Panama Canal
Company.
NepubIcan senators who have for
years opposed the building of an 18TH
ialIc associates on the back, and en-
oouIaglng them to vote for the ratifi-
''''oh OF the pending treaty.
The Canal In II.
ms little dialogue took place a few
&C. .SS ago in the Marble room at the
t|apltol. when Senator Elkins was in
ouuclng Senator Blackburn to some of
vohStltuents from West Virginia:
t1 1N0idlor Elkins to Senator Blackburn:
l., Dooh mere, Blackburn. you ought to be
iaVor of this treaty. 1t gives the
iou'n an opportunity to get it's arms
dro5 r,o the Treasury to the extent of hun
eaoS uS OF millions of dollars. 1t is the
+L' S' chance the South has had since
tj war and you fellows ought to take
fuly fdn to the proposition, and thank us
giving you the opportunity"
senator Blackburn, replying to Sena-
Wi. EIklns. in the presence of several
Witnesses:
w., mat sounds very nice, coming from
~ ou' Elklns. but you know and l know
s"al tile South Will not actually receive
Goliar of the Panama canal money.
S,I ,a IL those fellows from New England
,logtled for single instant that we
tbo0iu' tho1' would not be in favor of
r e treaty. l appreciate your friendli-
r,i, SS Tor The South, but the present ad-
SINS sb,,,,Stration is not working overtime to
0" ltS love and sympathy for 1t.
For Brunswick LightsIlip.
n L. l.