The Washington herald., 1909-05-14


tatfOn by Mr. OImsted.
Consideration Of a bill bringing order
out Of chaos in Porto Rico. in accordance
with recommendations made in the mes
sage Of President Taft submitted to Con
gress on Monday. was prevented in the
House yesterday by an objection made
by Minority Leader Champ Clark, Of
Missouri The measure was presented by
Representative Martin E. Olmsted, OF
Pennsylvania. and he asked unanimous
consent for its immediate consideration.
IN his message 10 Congress. the Presi-
dent directed attention TO the fact that
the lower branch OF the Porto Rican leg
islature had adjourned without making
appropriations to maintain the island
government in the fiscal year beginning
July 1 next This was the result Of a
conflict Of opinion between the lower
branch Of the legislature and the execu-
tive council. the latter body being com
posed almost exclusively Of Americans.
Il was represented to the administration
that unless appropriations were made
available for governmental purposes in
Porto Rico on July 1. a stslc Of dis
organization would ensue, Which might
prove demoraIizing in its influence upon
public sentiment in the island The
Presidents message urged Congress TO
act without delay. His references TO theI
Porto Ricans aroused storm Of protest
In the island
Provisions of the Bill.
The Olmsted bill provided that where
the Porto Rican legislature adjourned
without making needed appropriations for
the purposes Of the government. the
amount appropriated the previous year
should at once become available. and the
treasurer Of the island vas authorized 10
make disbursements accordingly. TheI
bill further provided that reports now
made by the heads of various bureaus
IN Porto Rico 70 the executive council
should be forwarded hereafter TO thei
executive government In Washington.
The purpose Of this provision was toi
bring about close communication between
the government al washington and the
government al san Juan. Complaint has
been made repeatedly in the last few
years that little information IS available
in Washington as to the status Of public
affairs in this island possession
Mr Clark objected 70 the consideration
Of the Olmsted bill, on the ground that
II had not been passed upon by a COM
mittee. Furthermore, he said. the Presi-
dents message had not received con-
3 s-l-
He thought the proposed legislation
should 90 through the ordinary channels
Under the rules. in the absence OF ref
erence 10 a committee. the measure could
be considered only by unanimous consent,
and this was refused by Mr. Clark. other
Democrats being ready to object Il he had7
not done so.
The Porto Rican legislation desired. by
tie President was thus brushed aside for
the present. That a measure conforming /
10 the Presidents recommendations viii
be passed IN the near future. IS assured.
Conditions in Porto Rico. IN the event OF
action by Congress. IL is represented 10
the administration. might become such I
as 20 result IN serious trouble. The sit
uation in the island IS thoroughly under
stood By the leaders in Congress.
There Is a purpose back OF the fight
that was made Monday 20 prevent the
reference Of the Presidents message 10
the Committee on Ways and Means. and
which prevented consideration OF the
OImsted bill Conforming with the prac-
tice that obtains Al special sessions OF
Congress. Speaker Cannon named only a
few committees when the lawmakers met
IN March to revise the tariff One Of them /
was the Committee on Ways and Means. /
which prepared the tariff bill. Such others
were named as were needed in the con /
duct Of the routine business OF the
House. The object OF the Speaker in fail /
ing 10 name all standing committee was
70 center the thought OF the House on
tie subject Of the tariff. and make II i'm 1
possible except in emergencies. 10 bring
other business Up for consideration.
Representative Garrett. a Democrat /
from Tennessee. offered a resolution !
which provided that the Speaker be re- /
quested TO appoint the Committee on In /
sUlar Affairs forthwith. This committee. /
Il It were organized, would be the one /
u which the Porto Rican message would /
be referred
The Speakers Effort.
But as the committee IS not now in cx- 4
istence. the Speaker male an effort cn 4
Monday TO refer the communication
from the President to the Committee On /
Ways and Means. Representative Payne. /
OF New York, majority leader, objected to /
the Garrett resolution on the ground that /
it was not privileged under the rules. The 4
Speaker held the resolution was priv /
ileged- 4 vote was taken, the House di- |
vided on party lines. and the resolution /
was defeated.
= good deal Of interest has been ex-
cite,l in the House over the efforts made /
10 force the Speaker to name the Com
mittee on Insular Affairs at this session.
Representative Henry A. Cooper, or Wis
cOnsin. who has serve1 rs chairman OF the
for years, vas one of the lessd-
eTs Of the insurgeut band that made a
bitter attack on the Canacn rules at the
beginning Of the session. Gossip has It
that Mr.. Cooper Is 10 be punished by tie
loss Of the insular chairmanship, and as
signed TO obscure committees in the House
Representative Olmsted is
said to be slated for the Tlace at the head /
OF the Insula- Committee some Signif-
cance IS attached 10 the fact that Mr..
Il. u