The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-01-21
Transportation of Silver
Merely Benefits Ex-
press Companies.
C0NGRESSMEN AROUSED
Would Make Diversion Of
Appropriation Mis-
= demeanOr.

The cry OF graft raised in the House
OF Representatives yesterday afternoon
caused the defeat OF an amendment to
the urgent deficiency bill appropriating
$1,000 to supply an expected deficiency
in the fund used for the payment OF
transportation charges 81 silver from
the subtreasuFies &c trade centeTs.
The amendment was proposed by Gem
eral Keifer. Republican. vr Ohio, and
was opposed By Representative Tsw-
ney OF Minnesota. Smith Of Iowa. and
Hill Of Connecticut.
The annual appropriation 10 pay the
| cost 10 and from trade centers from sub
treasures amounts 10 $4,000. and has
been made since 1881
Mr. Hill raised the point OF order
against il. He lost. He tnen charged
that the appropriation was a species Ct
graft for the express company. Mr..
Smith joined him in the declaration
that it was no longer necessary for the
Federal Government TO continue the ap-
preparation. a-id that n the transports-
tion Of silver was not made so prohtable
| the coin would remain in circulation
longer.
Companies Urge Appropriation.
Mr. Tawney. in charge OF the bill.
expressed surprise trat the representa-
tives Of the express company were the
first 10 learn that the Committee on
/ Appropriations had refused 70 insert this
amendment in the bill He said that
early on the morning following the COM
mittee's action. representatives Of the
express companies personally urged
upon upon members the necessity for
the appropriation.
General Keifer sarcasticalIy remarked
that any kind Of a measure could be de-
feated when the cry of graft was raised
against 1t. He said he could not under
stand the consistency OF those members
opposing the measure at this time when
they had for years approved il.
The amendment was carried on a ris-
ing vote. .~Gt was lost on a vote by
tellers-7l to 20.
Moody Portrait Discussed.
The purchase by Attorney General
Moody of a large portrait of former At
torney General Knox for the Depart
ment OF Justice was again discussed.
Chairman Tawney read to the members
the request Of Attorney General Moody
for an appropriation Of s2,6I5, the exact
cost OF the portrait. TO meet a deficiency
for necessary expenditures. including
telegraph. fuel, light, foreign postage. Ia
Dor. repairs TO building, care OF grounds,
books OF reference. and other necessaries
directly ordered by the Attorney GEN
eral."
In reply To a question by Representa-
tive Palmer OF Pennsylvania. Chairman
Tswney announced that he would favor
an amendment TO the existing law pro-
hibiting heads of departments from di-
i1N
atty for conviction.
To Make Punishment Severe.
Mr.. Palmer then drew up an amend
ment declaring q violation OF the law 70
be a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine
OF not less than 500 or imprisonment
for not less than one month. He an
nounced that he would push the amend
ment later.
In replying to question by Mr.. Radg-
ett Of Tennessee. Chairman Tawney said
that the purchase of portraits had be-
come general practice, but that he
did not justify it.
In defending that provision OF the bill
providing for additional clerk hire for
the redemption of national bank notes,
Air. Gaines Of Tennessee demanded
clean money. he favored the rapid de-
struction of this dirty filthy, rotten.
bacteria = carrying. diseased breeding
money"
LittIeheld Severe.
Mr.. Littlefield became quite jOcular in
defining the progress of scientific
nomenclature in the bacteria line.
First in Germany" said he, these
little lively beings are known as germs;
| in Paris, as parasites; In Dublin. as mic
robes. and when they We're gone never
to return, they were called 'backteTia-' q"
Mr. Macon OF Arkansas wanted an
amendment adopted that would chloro-
| form every custom house in the country
/ that did not return any revenue. Floor
| Leader Paine declared that all useless
custom houses would be attended to
later. and Mr.. Macon was satisfied Gen
eral Grosvenor, of Ohio. took occasion to
declare thar the cry Of the shoe people
for free hides was senseless, fnasmueh
as the shoe industry was the most
profitable and prosperous of all indus
tries.
Consideration Of the bill was not COM
pIeted.