The San Francisco call., 1908-03-01
HINTS At GRAFT
IN ARMY PROJECT
Representative Mann of Illinois
Defeats Appropriation for
Rifle Range in East
Attempt to Break Eight Hour
Rule in Alaska Beaten
by Call

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2e.-Graft was
hinted at today while the house was
considering q paragraph in the army
appropriation bill approximating $780,
600 for the purchase OF 5000 acres of
land near Washington for q target
range. Representative Mann of Illi-
nois opposed the proposition and ridi-
culed the idea of paying $40 an acre
for such property when. he said. it
could be. bought for half. and even
less
Il am rather inclined to think" he
said, there has been undue temptation
to somebody"
PROJECT DEFEATED
Representative Hull pleaded for the
provision, declaring that the depart
ment of the east had no target range.
Manns imputation was assailed by
Representative Young of Michigan. who
said that the money would be expended
by an honest secretary of war, and a
great department of. the government.
Mann said there had been a lobby in
support of the proposition and that the
land already had been located where
it was proposed to place the range.
Young denied that any lobby had ap-
preached the committee on military
affairs and said that the committee
had heard from no one but the sec
retary of war and his subordinates.
But Mann persisted in his position,
saying that there were a great many
ways of reaching the sale of property
TO the government
The usual method" he declared,
'Is to obtain the support of somebody
beneath the head of the departments. "
After the provision had been further
debated it was stricken out on a point
of order by Mann.
STOP EIGHT HOUR BREAK
AS the consideration Of the bill pro-
ceeded there was considerable discus
sion over an amendment by Tawney
of Minnesota providing that during
the period between May ] and October
] of each year il shall be lawful for
( laborers and mechanics employed on
the public works in the United States
/ IN the district of Alaska TO work and
| receive compensation for work in ex-
/ cess of eight hours a day"
\ The amendment was ruled out on q
point of order, but not until Delegat te
( Cole of Alaska had an opportunity to
oppose IT. He said that the sentiment
of the Alaskans and of the working
men was against any departure from
the eight hour system.
The provision for the military in
struction and target practice of stu
J
mates of soldiers and sailors orphans
homes. 10 which issues OF small arms
may be lawfully made. was stricken
out on a point of order made by Mann
! An, amendment was agreed to pro
,Viding that the trophies and medals
authorized by the bill shall be con
/ tested for only by enlisted men of the
army, navy, marine corps and nationaa
| guard, organized militia of the states
and territories and the district of Co,
1 lumbia.
FUND FOR STATE GUARD
A new provision was inserted appro.
priating $25,000 for the purchase o.
books of instruction. range finders ant
equipment for state coast artillery or
/ ganizations.
The last paragraph OF the bill alsc
met an obstruction in Mann, who Wig
orously attacked the proposition it In
volved Of giving the chief of ordnance
discretion in purchasing ordnance sup.
plies without publicly divulging theil
| ingredients.
Hull sent TO the desk and had read