The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-02-12
BalkS Hale's Plan to Rush
Naval Appropriations.
COMMITTEE PLANS ARE SCORED
Backed by the Younger Republican
Members, wisconsin senator Makes
some Sarcastic Observations, and
Urges More Equitable Arrangement
of AssiEnments-WIns Point.


he naval appropriation bin before sd-
journment yesterday. and they would
have succeeded If it had not been for
Hon. Robert II. La Toilette, OF Wiscon-
sin.
As things turned out. Mr. La Toilette
objection 10 the immediate con-
sideration Of the measure on the ground
that he had not had time 10 examine II
and in consequence II went
over until Monday.
The ples Of Acting Chairman Hale OF
the Appropriations Committee, that nine
or ten big appropriation bills remained to
Be acted On By the Senate within q period
q fifteen working days before the pres
snt Congress dies. had no effect on the
Senator.
Mr. La Foliettes objection produced
2 debate. in which il was brought out
nat he die not Ike the way things were
run IN the Senate and longed for d
-ha1ge.
Hale Is Insistent.
II was getting around 10 O'Clock when
II. Hale called CD the naval BILL he
ranted the Senate TO begin its consider
gfion at once and get through with It.
a order to clear the way for other ap-
separation measures
Then Mr.. La Toilette got up and said
nat il was an important bill; thai l.
.arried Ss7. 10000. or something Ike
:. $4,000 more than was estimated BY
ne Navy Department. and thai Il vas
90 important 70 be given consideration
.-ntfI Senator'S had the opportunity OF
.xsminlrg its provisions thoroughly
He thought that as many Senator's we're
4wav from town attending Lincoln Day
celebrations. and as these Senator's would
want 20 speak. the bill ought 70 go
5ver-
AIr- Hale admitted there was force in
what Mr.. Ia Toilette had pointed out,
1ut suggested that very little time was
Ell 70 put through all The remaining an
luaI budgets before Congress died on
March T. He mentioned nine OF ten an
nuaI appropriation bills that remained 10
Re acted On
Nj La Toilette commended that as the
Committee on Appropriations had re-
ceived the naval bill from the House
fifteen DAYS ago. and had used all that
time in considering and amending il, It
was hardly fair 10 give the Senate only
.wo or three hours for debate on Nhe
tens contained
Then Mr.. La Toilette made some sar-
castle observations. He indicated that
action on appropriation bills had been de-
layed because a few Senators we're MEM
bsrs Of all the important committees, and
we're so overwhelmed with work that they
ures so that they could be reported with
out any considerable delay
This was an evident crack al the Senate
leaders M Hale came back With some
sarcasm OF MS Own.
I have no doubt" he said, that the
Senator has in mind a very profound
scheme for reforming the uses and prac-
tees Of this body. but he will never get
any new plan which viii not permit the
consideration Of any appropriation Dill BY
any committee"
Senator'S who knew Of the affair con-
strued this remark OF Mr. Hale's as ref
erenCs 10 a proposition considered at a
little dinner party 10 Senators given by
Mr.. La Toilette this week. this PROPOSE
ton involving a scheme to let the younger
Senators have a voice in deciding how
committee assignments should be dis
tributed-
Interpreted HaSe'S Remark.
Perhaps Mr. La Toilette interpreted The
remark as showing that Mr.. Hale had
knowledge Of his little dinner party and
the object for which It was held
The dinner party was attended By
about a dozen Of the more radical among
the younger Republicans Of the Senate,
who have not yet. however. acknowledged
Mr. La Toilette as their leader, although
they have backed him up at times IN
opposition to the more conservative Re
publican element.
Most Of the busy bees" as these
younger Senator's have come 10 be called,
we're at Mr. La Foliette's dinner, and re-
NAMED about his table until go o'clock
IN the morning. Among them were Sen
ators BOrah. Bourne, Brown, Burkett,
Cummins. Curtis, and Dixon.
Senator Beverage was asked to attend
but when he found what the object o.
the meeting was ne declined the invita-
ton.
Tie proposition under consideration at
the dinner was that the busy bees In
s.st that the Republican steering COM
nittee." officially known as the Commit
tee on Committees. should have its pres
ent limited membership increased SO as
10 provide q place for a Republican Sen
atOr from every State that had a Re
publican Senator.
As far as known the dinner conference
did not result IN the formation OF any
definite plan OF campaign
La Toilette Is IrOnieaI.
When Senator Hale was through talk
ing Mr. la Toilette turned the batteries
Of his irony on him he arose. he said.
just 10 say word in reply to the sug-
gestion that he was considering some
scheme Of very great reform in the pro-
eeedinss Of the Senate. and that no plan
could be worked out that would improve
on the method Of sending bills 10 com
mittees.
i am very frank 10 say to the Senator
from Maine, remarked Mr. La Toilette.
with sarcasm, that I have thought about
the present assignment Of committee ar
IN this body, that I had the
teneriIy TO consider whether there
might not be some other arraneemeut TO
.AA1NA ADINC AAtE NUAili4AlLAEE ASSIGNMENTS
more eGuitably. It may be almost trea-
sonsble to have the idea Of these being
any Improvement made on the present
method Of appointing committee in this
body.
II have had the hardihood not only
to doubt the divine perfection OF the
present arrangement. but 10 almost be-
ieve the business Of the Senate could be
distributed among its ninety-two mem
osrs, instead Of being taken care Of bv
less than oue-third OF this BODY"
Senator Flint, OF California. had been
On tiptoe, trying 10 get a chance
10 interrupt the celloquy. When the
chance came at last he called attention to
Mr.. Ia Follette's statement that the
Always the Same.
Tha~1sS