The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-01
ONE GREAT MAN BORN
IN NEW YORK CITY
The Occupant of White House,
Says BirdseII
OPPOSING SHIP SUBSIDY
Iowa Representative Criticised Gros-
venoTs Threats Against Cornfied
Districts-Littaue Amend
ment Is Adopted.

Washington, February 2s.-The present
occupant of the White House is the only
really great man who was actually born
in the great city of New York. This
statement from Representative Birdsell
of Iowa provoked much applause in the
House. 1t was made by Mr. Birdsell to-
day while speaking in opposition to the
ship subsidy bill, which was again to-
day under consideration. Mr.. Birdsell
urged that the mass cf farmers and
laborers opposed the measure while it
is supported by the great centers of
population.
Mr.. Brdsell criticised Mr.. Grosvenor
for the methods used In reporting the
bill out of the committee. He said that
Mr.. Grosvenor had gone so far as to
threaten the members from the corn
field districts with all kind of political
disaster. should they fail in supporting
the bill. Mr. Birdsell also asserted that
Mr.. Hinshaw of Nebraska had been ten
dered a liberal donation by the ship
subsidy men for his campaign, but he
had Indignantly spurned 1t.
"And now he added. they propose
to follow up in his district and defeat
him for denomination, or at the polls. -
Mr.. Grosvenor concluding the debate
said that any reference he might have
made to corn fields" had been In line
with the utterances of the senator from
South Carolina-Mr. Tillman.
General debate having closed the read
ing of the bill for amendments was be-
gun. the first amendment being offered
by Mr.. Littauer of New York, providing
for a line of steamers or sixteen knots
from the Gulf of Mexico to Brazil. at a
maximum compensation not exceeding
100000 for a monthly service or $500, 900
for fortnightly service.
The amendment was adopted.
BY vote OF 112 ayes to 127 macs, an
amendment offered by sir. I.ittauer ex-
cepting the Sierra, Sonora and Ventura
OF the Oceanic line from the operation
of the bill was defeated.
An amendment, offered by Mr.. Hum
phrey of Washington. that no money APP
propriated by the bill shall be paid for
any vessel directly or indirectly con-,
nected with any railroad, was defeated.
on the theory that the bill is sufficiently
safeguarded in that direction.
Mr. Smith of Iowa presented an amend
ment requiring that every contract UNI
der the bill shall be awarded to the
responsible bidder who will contract I'M
der penalties prescribed by the Postmas-
ter General for the highest running speed
between the points named in the con-
tract. This amendment was adopted.
Mr.. Fordney of Michigan offered sub
stitute for the bill under consideration,
providing for naval reserve and in
creasng ocean mail facilities to which
Mr.. Burton of Ohio addressed himself
incidentally reviewing the whole subject
of ship subsidy legislation
The argument for this class of meas
ures" said Mr.. Burton rests upon the
fallacy that a subsidy to ships is akin 10
protective tariff. 1t is not 50 because
of the drain Of the treasury to those re-
ceiving and tariff brings money into the
exchecquer, while a subsidy pays it out.
He said the tendency of all subsidies is
to induce a dependence upon govern
mental assistance. Lines that have been
subsidized he added. have not been
free from a record of corruption and
failure"
In second speech on the measure Mr..
Grosvenor of Ohio reviewed subsidy dis
cussion in the Fifty first Congress and re-
called that at that time his colleague.
Representative Burton, voted unwaver-
ingy for a subsidy measure more sweep
ing than the Littaeur bill which Mr.. Bur-
ton was now opposing.
In reply Mr.. Burton said he had little
respect for a man who would vote In
favor of a. measure today merely be-
cause he had done so sixteen years ago.
Mr.. Fordney did not press his amend
ment. and no action was taken on It.
Mr.. Townsend of Michigan introduced
an amendment striking out the subsidies
for the two lines from the Pacific coast
to China and Japan.
The bill was temporarily laid aside FOR
other business