The Washington herald., 1908-02-15


There isn't any use trying TO reform the
House Of Representatives through the
money end. It's too sensitive there. Lots
Of people have tried it before. and when
it came to a showdown they were found
considerably wanting-Or In want
But twice within the last few days
members OF that body, who looked with
horror upon the rush Of money to the
fingers Of Uncle Sam. have gone up
against the inevitable in a vain attempt
to shut off the golden streams which
pour upon the blessed and the cursed
Republican. the Democrat. and the un-
classified.
Representative Edwards. Of Georgia.
on Thursday introduced a bili to require
the Sergeant-at-sYms TO pay all clerks 10
members Of Congress direct, instead of
paying then through the members who
hire them Mr Edwards expressed the
mild view that some members. he could
not say whom, are managing 10 make
about 5000 out OF a 1850 salary, and that
without sitting Up nights 20 do It.
Only Gets "A Smile.
A clerk on the rolls at $500 gets per
haps SO a week. or possibly a pleasant
smile every three days. and that's all;
the member who hires him gets the rest,
besides the applause and the notices in
the home paper.
Representative CrumpackeT yesterday
braved the wrath Of the gods by attempt
ing to lower the mileage rate given mem
bers OF the House from % scents to S. Mr..
Crumpacker went into his brief night un-
afraid. but he came out vanquished, tenn
poTarily
Needless to say, through the skilIful ex-
ercise Of one Of a large army Of points Of
order, which lie ready packed in bales all
over the Republican wing and under the
Speakers table, the daring lese majestic
Of the Indiana member was summarily
squelched. or more.
An effort made yesterday 10 learn
the amount Of mileage paid 10 members
has developed what may be termed
mildly a queer state Of affairs The re-
ports Of the Clerk and Sergeant-at-arms
shed no light upon the matter, although
scores Of pages Of fine tabulated matter
were occupied with figures showing the
sums paid members on account OF clerk
hire. limited by law to 1880 a year, and
other equally interesting il unimpoTtant
information.
The inquirer learned that the mileage ac-
counts were paid by the sergeant-at-
arms, and a request there for information
was met by the suggestion that the Audi
tor for the State and other Department
was the proper official 10 give out the
facts.
over the Telephone.
Over the telephone the inquirer was told
that the information desired could be had
only after q long search through the rec
ords. after It had been authorized By the
Auditor; that the Office contained no card
index or other facilities for speedy answer
TO such questions. You can get the facts
from the Sergeant-at-aTms much, much
more easily than here"
Returning to that official, this statement
was repeated. and next came the ques-
ton: He didn't say TO you to tell US to
give Il, did he?" Stiu declining TO give
the figures in any case, the official said
the Office acted as disbursing agent for
the Auditor. and that payments were con-
hdentiaI between them. unless made pub
lie at the Treasury Department.
THAT is a remarkable attitude to as
sumo toward payments Of public funds
under a statute" was suggested
4 4 A.
troubles Of members by making these
things public"
Further inquiry developed the fact that
the Committee on Mileage. which makes
up the table Of mileage Of members.
makes no public report. It's findings are
sent to the SeTgeant-at-arms and checks
given the members in accordance there
with.
In constituting the words Of the law that
mileage shall be computed according to
the shortest and most Travelled route be-
tween the members home and Washing
ton, it was said, the committee recognizes
the right OF q member TO be paid accord
ing to a longer or the longest route If. in
his opinion, that be the most usually
travelled
VIII GO Through.
Mr.. Crumpacker. speaking Of his propo-
sition TO make the rate Of mileage cents
instead Of % cents. said that the latter
figure could not be defended now, what
ever might have been the conditions
when IT was first adopted. Il figured out
hastily" he said, that at current pas
senger fares a member could travel first
class to and from Washington, paying his
sleeping car fare and dining car expenses
for himself and wife at S cents a mile:
and certainly that is all that can be ex-
pected.
Last year the Committee on Appro-
priatiOns included the changes I sug-
gested. but it went out then on a point Of
order made by a Washington member.
But It is bound TO come"