The sun., 1908-05-05
TGWNEYS BEATEN
HOUSE RESTORES MONEY FOR
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.

Committee on Appropriations Defeated
for the mird Successive Term-Tests
Of Structural Materials May he Made
In Other Than Government Laboratories
WASHINGTON, May G-For the third
successive term friends Of liberal appro-
priations for the Geological Survey'~ran
! over the Committee on Appropriations In
the House Of Representatives to-day. Incl
| dentally they also oondoned the appointment
by President Roosevelt Of an advisory board
Of engineers to tell the Geological Survey
how to spend the money appropriated
Two hundred thousand dollars carried
In the bill for this year for gauging streams
and determining the water supply was
omitted by the Committee on Appropria-
tions, In committee OF the whole to-day
compromise was effected by approprAt-
ing tlOO 900 for gauging the streams and
determining the water supply Of the United
States and for the investigation Of under
ground currents and artesian wells and
reports upon the best methods Of utilizing
the water resources
The appropriation for investi eating struo-
tural materials was reduced by the Com
mittee on Appropriations from 100000 to
$50 900.
Mr. Tawney, chairman Of that committee.
explained that an item Of $500 was in
serted in the bill Of 1905 on the express
promise that tests would be completed
within that year Survey officials came
back in 1907 and 1908 and secured $780, 900
to continue the work and to purchase the
necessary machinery therefor. 1t Itappeared
now. Mr.. Tawney said, that the money
had not been spent for that purpose, but
to pay professors in State and private in
stitutions for making tests in their labora-
tories. These tests were largely CONNER
cial, not for the use Of the Government nor
Of materials belonging TO the United States.
and II was up to Congress now to definitely
separate this commercial testing for private
gain.
AZ matter Of fact, Mr. Bartholdt Of
Missouri cOntended, the Government was
saving 10 per cent on the cost Of its build
ings as the direct result Of tests made under
the direction Of the architect Of the Treas
ury. The reports In this mornings papers
Of two fires attended by large loss Of life
accentuated the demand for the discovery
Of some satisfactory building material
capable Of resisting fire.
After two hours debate an amendment
restoring the amount Of appropriation TO
100000 on this item Of the bill was adopted
Mr.. Norris Of Nebraska then moved to
strike out the prohibition against conduct
ing the tests in other than Government
laboratories or by other than Government
employees.
II appeared in further discussion that
the advisory board Of engineers had been
appointed by the President to guide the
technical work Of the survey and Mr..
Tawney wanted to know by what authority
the President had acted
Mr. Bartholdt expressed the opinion that
the President's action was deserving OF
the highest commendation. II gave to
the Government the services Of the most !
eminent men in their profession without |
cost. except the intnitesmal sum allowed |
for travelling expenses
Mr. Sherey of Kentucky objected to a |
commission being appointed by the Presi- |
dent or anybody else without warrant Of |
law. All bad tendencies in Government |
start by being undertaken for a good pur- !
pose, he declared.
The limitation was struck out and the !
advisory board saved
Mr.. Dalze Of Pennsylvania moved to |
increase the appropriation for testing !
Goals, lignites and other fuel substances
from tl5O,OOO TO S25O.OOO This amendment |
was also adopted. Thus the action Of the
Committee on Appropriations was practi-
cally set aside on all items al issue In the
geological schedules