The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-12-15
Refuse 10 Give Themselves Or
Senate Any More
OTHERS GET GOOD RAISE
Vice President and Speaker of this
House to Be Paid $4,000 Each.
Members of Cabinet Also
Get Increase.

Washington, December 1.-THE House
Of Representatives today refused to in
crease the salaries of it's own members
and senators. To the vice president the
speaker of the House and members of the
Presidents cabinet substantial increases
were voted.
Mr.. Littauer of New York presented the
amendments to the legislative appropria-
ton bill necessary to accomplish the pro-
posed Increase. He first introduced an
amendment raising the salaries of the
vice president and the speaker of the
House to $4,000 each. He spoke of the
dignity of the speaker of the House, and
said that everybody recognized that the
duties are arduous, and that the pay Is
unequal to the position.
Mr.. Underwood of Alabama said he was
opposed to any further Increase of sal
aries in legislative and executive offices.
He further said he believed the salaries
of the minor clerks of the government
should be increased on account of the in
creased cost of living. His contention
that salaries are paid to members OF
Congress so that a poor man might como
to Congress and represent his constitu-
ents. He said he would not contend that
a congressman could live in Washington
and keen pace with modern society.
Fitzgerald Favors Increase.
Mr.. Fitzgerald of New York said he
would vote for the increase even if tho
price he paid was political oblivion. He
ca ed attention to the salary paid the
Mayor of New York and also to the pay
OF the comptroller of that city. and In
sisted that the vice PRESIDENT and the
speaker should be given salaries eommen-
surate with the dignity of their offices.
After other speeches the amendment
was adopted, 214 to 81. the opposition fall
ing to secure votes enough to call the
ayes and nays. Mr.. Littauer then intro
duced another amendment as follows:
ION and ofter March 4, 1907, the COM
pensation of heads of executive depart
ments who are members of the Presi-
dent's cabinet shall be at the rate of
$4,000 per annum each"
During his remarks on this amendment.
Mr.. Bittauer held up picture of Presi-
dent of a baseball association whose sal
ary had been increased from $4,000 to
$4,000 a year, and contrasted this with
the salaries paid members of the cabinet.
The amendment was opposed by Mr..
Mann Of Illinois. but was adopted 204 to
Co. The amendment which so closely con-
cerned the members themselves followed
Immediately.
~ Littauer. who retires to private life
with the close of the present Congress,
offered a provision recommending the
salaries of senator's and members of Con-
cross, delegates and the resident commits
sioner from Porto Rico TO $3.50, begin
ming March 1, 1909.
From Poor Mans Standpoint.
Representative Clark of Florida was ac-
C, rded an ovation when he announced
that he desired to discuss the question
from the standpoint of a poor man. He
called attention TO the fact that men are
lta"'v- the government service solely
because the salary In official positions
arc inadequate.
II believe he said. there are not ten
Icen on this floor who in private conver-
sation will not say the salary is made
quate. the increase is right but some
say. L cannot afford to vote f. ~ F."
For Gods sake let us answer the
great daily papers who are challenging
oLr courage to go upon the Record by
cur votes before all the country, was his
col cludlng appeal.
Mr. Lamar of Florida opposed the
ar endment. as did several others.
Representative Sullivan of Massaehu-
sets who retires with this Congress, in
supporting the amendment. said that 1t
would be opposed largely ON the principle
OF self-preservation, which IS the first law
OF nature "They understand he said
that small compensation is the usual
doe--o times the only protection of
medocrity. AS salaries increase, medi-
ocrity dimnishes, for better men are at
tracted to the public service
Others who spoke in favor of the
amendment were Representatives Gros-
veror of Ohio and Sims and Gaines of
Tennessee. The amendment was defeated
by vote of 106 to 1888.