The Washington herald., 1908-01-21
FOR EX-PRESIDENTS
Bill in Congress Provides
Employment for Them.
SPECIAL DUTIES ARE CREATED
senator McCreary and Representa-
dive BartbOIdt Would Make Former
United states 10 Pan-Amerfcan and
Other International Conferences.

The recent declaration Of former Presi-
dent Grover Cleveland that the United
States should provide for ex-Presldents
resulted yesterday in the introduction in
Congress or a bill that sets aside work
for them.
It was introduced in the Senate by
Senator McCreary. Of Kentucky. and tn
the House by Representative Barthoidt
Of Missouri Tie puTpOs7 l. L-at former
Presidents shall he ex-offcio representa-
tives, for life, Of the United States al
the pan-AmeTican ana other international
conferences in which the United States
may participate. It requests an appr0-
priati0n Of S500OO and the former Pres.-
dents and other members Of the commits
sion shall be paid an annual salary OF
$1,000 and be allowed 20 appoint secre-
taries at a salary Of 5000 With all trav-
cling and actual expenses paid by the
government for the members Of the com
mission and the secretaries.
Under the provisions OF the bill. the
President, by and with the consent Of the
Senate. shall appoint forthwith four other
persons as members of the coming con
ferences, two for four years and TWO for
eight years. The future appointments 10
be made for eight years.
DatieS Prescribed.
It shall be the duty Of the former PresI-
dents and other representatives 10 "in-
vestigate and, from time 10 time, report
upon the several propositions looking o.
the substitution Of judicial decisions for
force in international relations. with a
view 10 enabling the United States gov
ernment TO Cooperate intelligeutly in all
international efforts TO secure TO the peo-
pie the benefits Of more enduring peace.
Their reports shall be made to the Pres.-
dent and to the Congress Of the United
States. and they shall investigate and re-
port upon all questions referred 20 them
By the President or by either branch OF
Congress.
They shall also disseminate inf0rma-
tion on the question of international arbi-
tration and peace by addresses and pubH-
cations in order to insure TO the people
the benefits of their Investigations and
conclusions. Their meetings shall be held
upon their own Initiative upon the call
Of the ranking former President or other
person chosen by them as chairman. at
such time and place as they may agree
upon.
BarthOIdt Discusses IL.
We do a lot of talking about peace. 3"
said Representative Bartholdt, in discuss
ing the bill "and ] believe the time has
come when We should do something
more than. talk We should also do
something for the former Presidents. This
is a noble work, not charity, and the men
who would be ex-ohici2 members would
be men well qualified to undertake such
work as this biIl anticipates. Person
ally. I am interested in peace, and shall
work for everything that makes for
peace, and I think this bin should be
given careful consideration. II will put
US on a footing with other countries. and
it viii keep great work i'm the hands
Of body thoroughly competent 70 han
die it,
More than that ii viii give a perma-
nence and stability 20 the Investigations
that cannot be gained any other way"