Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-16
LAST OF THE MONEY BILLS
GENERAL DEFICIENCY APPRO-
PRIATIoN REPORTED.
Provision Made for Payment of $1O,.
100000 for Pensions Made Neces-
sary by "Widows' Act

The last of the regular annual govern
ment money bills-the general deficiency
was reported to the House today by
Chairman Tawney from the committee
on appropriations 1t carries S17.342.5I
of which $lo.OOOOOO is for pensions, this
appropriation being made necessary by
present session and also by the old-age
pension act Of February 6. 1907.
For the naval establishment S3156 $50
Is recommended, part of which is nece essi-
tated by the recent increase in the pay of
enlisted men and officers of the navy.
and part of which is made necessary by
the increased amount of coal that will
be consumed by the battleship fleet in
making the voyage from San Francisco
to Hampton roads.
OF the total carried by the bill S1.31O.-
9O1 is for the military establishment, in
cluG.ng increased pay of enlisted men and
officers on the active and retired lists for
the remainder of this fiscal year. The other
chief items of the bill are: Printing and
binding. S732OOO; judgments of the Court
of Claims, SS94.OD0: judgments for Indian
depredations. $1l4.U0; accounts audited
by departments and certified to Congress.
S2229, COO
For Relief of Midshipmen
In accordance with an order from the
Navy Department the Annapolis midship-
men of the class of 1907 were given an
opportunity of graduating in September
of 1905 or February of 1907 and a num-
Der of the midshipmen took advantage of
this opportunity and remained al the
academy during the vacation period.
studying, and succeeded in passing the
examination in September and February.
They are now serving their two years at
sea. But recently decision was rem
dered by the adjutant general oil the
Navy Department that this order was
illegal and that these graduated midship-
men could not receive their commissions
as ensigns until two years from June.
1907. The effect of this decision would
be further to prevent them from obtain
ing pensionable status if they should
sustain injury In the service between the
dates Of their earlier graduation and the
date of the graduation in June. To cor
rect this condition the general deficiency
Dill carries provision authorizing these
graduates to be commissioned as ensigns
subject to the usual examination. at the
expiration of their two years OF sea serv-
ice.
One rather important legislative pro-
vision says that hereafter all supplies
OF fuel. Ice. stationery and other mis-
cellaneous supplies for the executive de-
partment and other government establish
ments In Washington, when the public
exigencies do not require the immediate
delivery of the article, shall be advertised
and contracted for by the Secretary of
Commerce and Labor instead of by the
several departments and establishments,
upon such day as he may designate
Central Purchasing Bureau.
This section also provides for a gem
eral supply commission composed of off,
GERS. one from each department and other
government establishments in Washing
ton, the duties of which shall be to maze
an annual schedule of required miscel-
laneous supplies. to standardze such sup
plies. eliminating all Unnecessary grades
and varieties and to aid the Secretary of
Commerce and Labor in soliciting bids
based upon formulas and specifications
drawn by government experts. who are
authorized to be called upon by the boa rd
for assistance. 1t is further provided that
1.-The articles intended to be purchased in
this manner are those in common use by
or suitable to the ordinary needs of two
or more government departments"
This provision in effect creates the CEN