The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-02-25

The House OF Representatives yesterday
voted to increase the salary Of the Presi-
dent 20 S75,000. but declined to agree 10
The Senate amendments 10 the legislative.
executive and judicial appropriation bill
increasing the salaries Of the Vice Presi-
dent. the Speaker OF the House. and
the Federal judiciary. and creating an
Under Secretary and Fourth Assistant
Secretary Of State
The new salary OF the President must
also pay his travelling expenses. for
which $500 has heretofore been allowed
The Democrats led the fight against the
increase, and were supported BY about
forty members OF the majority About
twenty Democrats voted with the Repub-
Iicans favoring the increases, but a. 10
time did it appear that the larger salaries
would prevail
Clark Starts Fight.
The Senate amendment to the lesisla-
tive bin provided that the President be
paid $4,000. but after heated debate
this was lost by g vote Of is to IA
Representative Watson. Of Indiana, then
moved that the House agree to TX the
salary at $500. and this was agreed 10
by vote Of 1s3 TO l49-
Champ Clark. leader Of the minority,
was one OF the first 10 speak against the
increases. He said that while he was a
personal friend OF the incoming Presi-
dent. he did not believe the increased
salary was necessary for the conduct Of
the Office He believed. with others, that
If the President should have money TO
live on after his retirement, IL should be
so arranged as 20 give him part or the
money upon retirement
Representative BOurke Cochran made a
strong appeal to the members in behalf
Of the Increase. He said Il was absolutely
necessary for the President to spend
every cent Of $4,000 a year 70 live re-
spectabIv- and he believed that after re-
tirement a President should not be forced
10 hunt for bread" He recalled the crlt-
cisms directed against Grover Cleveland
because he was forced through want 10
seek employment
What President Receives
In opposing the increase, Representa-
tive Hitchcock. OF Nebraska, a personal
friend OF William Jennings Bryan. said
that the wrong impression had gone out
over the country about the salary OF the
President Many people. he said, believed
that $4,000 was al he received He read
from records 10 show that last year the
conduct Of the White House, including
the salary OF the President. his travelling
expenses. Office expenses, light fuel, sta
bIes. &C. cost the government $4,000.
he said he admitted there were unusual
repairs last year. but he would state that
the amount expended exclusive OF these
items amounted 10 s29Se0o-
Champ Clark characterized the attempt
OF the Senate 10 Increase the salary OF
the Speaker Of the House from $1,000 TO
$4,000. as %'grsasinE the hides" Of the
Representatives so that the other IN
Creases could 90 through unhindered- He
said that while he believed the salary OF
the Speaker should be raised II any Of
the other increases were allowed, he
would oppose the amendment because OF
the depleted condition Of the country $
finances
Not Advocated by Speaker.
Chairman Tawney. Of the Appropri-
atIons Committee, said he desired 10 state
for the information Of the members Of
the House that the Speaker had not
spoken to any member OF the commit
tee. and that he had in no way advo-
Gated the increase.
When the viva vOce vote on the Speak
er's salary was taken, Speaker Cannon
seemed not a bit in doubt as 10 the re-
suit. and promptly announced that the
motion was defeated Some OF the Re
publicans, as did many Democrats, be
Ueved the vote was close, and demanded
p division This resulted in affirming the
Speakers announcement by a vote OF
102 10 Is
The attempt 70 Increase the salary o
the Vice President did not result in muCl
Of a contest L was the general opinion
that inasnuch as the Speakers salarl
was allowed 20 remain unchanged tn
Vice President should be treated Ike
wise. and il was allowed 10 be defeated
BY a viva voce vote
No Under Secretary
Again the Under Secretary IN the Stat
Department vas the cause Of a volume 0
criticism. at times running into ridieule
Champ Clark's statement several day
ego that It was so English, donche
know" seemed 10 have impressed mos
Of the members thoroughly.
Representative Mann, OF Illinois. de
clared that the additional officers IN tn
State Department were unnecessary. an,
said that now the secretaries we're fall
over one another in the halls. He did 10
believe the House should agree to IN
Senate amendment, creating an Office no
asked rs Secretary Root, who he said
-
successfully. He thought K was an ide
OF the incoming Secretary. and that !
should not be granted
DENLY Favors Amendment
Representative DENLY. OF Michigan
supported the amendment, and declare
the Office was necessary TO the welfar
Of the department
Representative Fitzgerald brought in
large dictionary and read the meaning 0
the word under" He said It gave tn
impression TO the common American citi
zen as meaning the under dog on
defeated, or, II re might usa the tern
"the goat. This little talk Of Mr.. Fitz
gerald caused a roar OF laughter tn
amendment was lost by a vote Of 1;
TO So
The fight for the Fourth Assistant Sec
rotary was taken up,and was lost after
number OF Republicans and Democrat
had engaged II a heated debate
May Get n Raise.
Senator Du POnt. Of Delaware. yesteT
day offered a bill providing that the sal
AIRY Of the secretary Of the Admiral O
the Navy be increased 10 $3.50 year
This authorizes an increase Of g per cen
in the amount now received by Lieut.
Leonard G. Hoffman.