Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-23
ON RIVERSANDH ARBORS )
APPROPRIATIONS CONSIDERED
BY THE HOUSE.
Chairman Burton's Thu It Brings the
Pennsylvania Members Into Line
on Improvement of Delaware.

Yesterday afternoon was devoted by the
House to consideration of the river and
harbor appropriation bill. The feature of
the debate on that measure was the pro-
test of certain members of the Pennsylva-
MIA delegation against the requirement that
before the government expends SJ00,00 ad-
dtional for improving the Delaware river
below Philadelphia the state of Pennsyl-
vania should appropriate an equal sum.
Under threat by Mr. Burton to insist on
an amendment striking out the improve
ment entirely the opposition vanished.
Mr.. Burton (Ohiol. having the bill in
charge, made a careful explanation of it,
the main features of which already have
been published. He said, however. that
the demand for legislation was becoming so
pressing that one of three choices must be
adopted To proceed on a larger scale Sc
lect some few improvements TO prosecute to
completion or devise some plan by which
part of the expenses should be borne by
the communities or localities affected.
Messrs. Adams, Bingham and McCreary
Pa) called attention to the sums spent
by Pennsylvania on the Della ware river
channel below Philadelphia based on prom
ises of fair government appropriations,
which, they claimed, had not been given.
Mr. Burton took exception to the criti-
cism and said that more money had been
spent in Philadelphia since 1902 than for
the New York channel since 1899. Phila-
delphia had been generously provided for,
and to say that the committee had not
been fair was TO make an assertion that
was contra dicted by the facts
The committee was taken to task by Mr..
Gaines Cfenn.) for charging up to Tonnes
see 10000. whereas he claimed but $50, 900
had been allowed for river improvements
in that state, the rest going TO points in
other states bordering on the Cumberland
and Tennessee rivers.
Mr.. Morrell's Declaration.
Reverting to the remarks of NJ. Burton
regarding the Delaware river improvements
Mr. Morrell (Pa) declared that he did not
think that Pennsylvania should be required
to give anything to secure what should go
to her voluntarily as her just due and he
gave notice that he would later offer an
amendment relieving that state from the
requirement of an appropriation equal to
that of the government before improve
ments are made.
In a brief reply to Mr.. ,Morren Mr. Bur
CESS fTeX.). member of the committee
explained that it was not the desire to
force from Pennsylvania a contribution for
a great Improvement. Unconditional APP
preparations in the past had been allowed
that state, but he said it was necessary
now, If the Delaware river improvements
were to go on, for Pennsylvania to tax
herself and help in the enterprise
Awaiting himself of the license of gem
eral debate, Mr.. Grosvenor tOhio) pleaded
for an efficient merchant marine. He spoke
of the naval victories of Japan over Rus
STA, and said they were accounted for
by the fact that Japan had paid careful
attention to that subject.
Mr.. SulZer On. v in reply criticised Mr..
Grosyenor and his committee for not bring
ing in a bill until late in the session He
provoked laughter by inquiring why the
bill should not be passed and sent over to
the Senate, that tomb Of all good legisla-
ton" The democrats, he SAID had filed
a minority report because they were OPP
posed to subsidies, rather than to discrimi
mating duties.
The river and harbor bill then was read
for amendment.
Mr.. Burton's Threat.
In view of the nferential charge that the
committee was trying to force Pennsyl-
vania to appropriate $500, 600 in order to get
a similar amount from the government for
the Delaware river, Mr.. Burton offered
an amendment striking out the provision.
Instantly Messrs Brown, Adams and But
Ter (Pa) were on their feet and each in
turn pleaded for the appropriation without
the requirement of a contribution from
their state
Upon the plea that the Delaware river
was the highway to important navy
yard and should not be neglected, Mr..
Grosvenor urged liberal appropriation for
its improvement.
Mr. Burton withdrew his amendment, but
in doing so and in reply to Mr. Grosvenor
declared that the commerce of the country
could not be brushed aside for the benefit
of navy yards.
The first amendment agreed to was one
permitting the expenditure of the unex-
pended balance to the credit of the I'M
provement of Pagan river, Virginia, for
continuance of the work.
The bill was laid aside for the day after
some minor amendments.
A resolution was agreed to authorizing
the President to convey to foreign govern
ments participating in the Louisiana pur-
chase exposition the grateful appreciation
of the government and people of the United
States for contributing TO the success OF
that undertaking.