The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-12-15
SALARY RAISERS
GOT "COLD FEET :
Congressman Defeat Salary Adj
vance Tho Measure Had
Good Feature.
BY w. w. Jermane. Colorado BUILDING,
Washington, .. C, :.

| =,
Washington, .. c.. s
| Washington, Dec. l5.-It is cues.
ton whether anybody. of influence in
the country would have complained if
yesterday, the house of representatives
had voted to increase the pay of its
members and those Of the senate from
$4,000 to $1,000.
The present salary was fixed MANY
years ago, when travelling was much
more expensive than it is today, and
when the present allowance of 20 cents
mile for members to and from their
homes each session was not excessively
more than what it actually cost tc
make the trip. Now, however, it is
very different, and SO far as members
Of both houses of congress living II
states which are considerably removed
from Washington are concerned, the
mileage allowance represents a very
conspicuous graft, altho not intended
to do so, of course. 4 4Lt...~ ~ N
The bill which was defeated yester
day provided that members should re-
llnquish this large allowance, and &C
cept In its stead pay for actual cost OF
travel to and from this city each SEES
sion of congress. !. !.
Got "Cold Feet.'' 4
This would have been a perfectly
fair arrangement, and as to the pro:
posed increase in pay, there is no ques-
ton but the increased cost of living
amply justifes it. The congressmen
and senators are entitled to their hire,
and nobody in the country expects them
to work without it. But instead Of
taking this view of the case, there was
scurrying for the tall timber yester-
day afternoon: when the roll cali came
on, and many members who at heart
were in favor Of the increase, and knew
voted against it out of abject fear Of
their constituents. - ! -:..t.
While thus voting, the congressman
held on to. the existing mileage grab.
To show how this grab works. it NAV
be said that the actual cost Of travel
| ing, first class, from Minneapolis and
st. Paul to Washington, is about $42
| each way. Yet, each member Of the
Minnesota delegation draws $3.50 each
| session of congress in mileage, on the
basis of 1900 miles from Washington
to st. Paul, and those who live beyond
| that city draw in addition 20 cents a
| mile each for that extra distance.
The Mileage Grab. %...s,
The members of the Washington
state delegation draw $1,000 a session
in mileage, when it only costs $1Ol. rs
to come from Seattle, frst-class, count.
ing meals. The California delegation
gets almost $l,400 man a session
when the cost Of first-classa fare from
San Francisco is but $40 each way.
: OF course, members and senators iv.
ing in the states near this city draw
much less than these amounts, thus
making the mileage system grossly un
equal in it's operations. In years past
| this mileage has been drawn by middle
and Tar west men who have travelled on
| railroad and Pullman passes. This alb
surdity the bill defeated yesterday
would have removed. IT," - r .~
There is little doubt but the senate
will pass the increases for the house
speaker, the vice. president and the
members of cabinet to $4,000 each,
These. however, are no. more nierited
than the item for Increase forscongres
men and senators.
How Northwest Voted.
>. Members Of the Minnesota delegation
divided on the question Of Increasing
salaries Of representatives and sen,
at9rs from $4,000 to 81, 500 year.
Those who voted for the increase
were Tawney, Fletcher, Bede and
Buekman,. two of whom retire at the
end OF this congress. Those who voted
against the resolution were McCleary,
Davis, Stevens, Volstead and Steener.
son, the first named being slated for
| the retired list after March 4. r.. :
Gronna Of North: Dakota made a ono.
minute speech opposing increase and
voted accordingly, while Marshall Of
| that state was absent on car shortage
| work for the interstate commerce com.
mission and paired. - :
Burke and Martin Of South Dakota
| both voted for the increase, as aid
Dixon OF Montana. All Of the three
last named will retire from the house
at the end of this session. Some of
me members who approved the increase
stated privately that they did so be.
cause under It's terms it would not
have gone into effect until the heo;n.
ming Of the sixty-6rst CONGRESS- ess v wRicb
would leave candidates for that con-
gress to make the race on the basis
OF Increased salary. a.. =. :"
I, Ihese members held that the mem
bers OF the present congress who have
been reelected to the sixtieth CONGRESS-
| are under obligations-implied at ieasti
TO serve on the SIS, 900 basis and could
not In honor vote for an increase to
| themselves. y. '1:.'.. = ~
Will: Yield on Spelling.
President Roosevelt will bow grace.
fully to- the will Of congress and re.
send his order for simplifed spelling.
put ne will continue to use simpli-
neg sPeIhng In all his written and
members of his cabinet. - :: ?. '''o
The president will hold annh1ic alton
tlon by a half dozen messages To con-
gress during the three days of next
The Panama canal, the Brownsville
incident, the attitude of the ADMINS.
tratlon toward the Japanese onestion
as brought out by the Ca1iforn; 10
school troubles, the naval personnel Hill
winch contemplates the more rapid re-.
tlrement and promotion of the officers
etary H Taf fh rep PpbS la9ds and Sec
tne topics OF the messages. =
-, LIS Ianalna canal message, recount.
| lng ms =. personal observations a1h1
OPINIONS Opt rs resulting from actual contact
with life :. on the isthmus. f1lllv linz Inc.
| trated, will be the most notable dnc does
men OF the kind ever given from The
country. ~ S'no tn e
| Bridge Time Extended.
:. Just before the house adjourned 1ast
night 1t passed Representative Stew.
ems. resolution extending the time "a,
beginning the Fort Smelling BRIDGE and nd
authorizing the expenditure bv fhe s So.
T1etary OF war Of the money contribntad
py the city of ST. Paul and the Twin win
City Rapid Transit company. {. 3
The urgent deficiency bill carving
an appropriation OF $5Sl,5O0 was passed
by the house today.