The San Francisco call., 1909-12-03
PEOPLE TO VOTE ON
CONTROL OF PURSE
British Premier Upheld by Com
mons in Fight With Peers
on Finance Measure
King Agrees to Dissolve Parlia'
ment and General Election
Will Follow Soon


LONDON, Dec. BY majority Of
els the house of commons today re-
corded It's claim to exclusive control of
the nations purse--a claim never be-
fore challenged in modern times
The vote was taken on resolution
offered by Premier Asquith, which de-
clared that the action of the house of
lords in refusing to pass into law the
financial provisions made by the cham
Der for the expenses of the year was a
breach of the constitution and a
usurpation of the rights of the house
of commons
The resolution was passed by vote
of S49 to 134.
Asquith announced that the govern
ment had advised King Edward to dis
solve parliament and that his majesty
had accepted the invitation. The pre-
mier added that sf the liberals were
returned to power the first act of the
government would be the re-enactment
of all the taxes for which provision
was made In the budget rejected by
the house of lords.
ENTHUSIASM IN COMMONS
Scenes of enthusiasm which accom-
panied the voting of Asquith's resolu
tion were in marked contrast to those
witnessed in the recent debate in the
house of lords No prominent mem
bers of the government side arose in
the house of commons to utter solemn
warnings against the course the minis
ters were pursuing.
The ministerial ranks were closed in
complete unanimity of protest against
the action of the upper house
Arthur J. Balfour leader of the oppo-
sition, evidently was suffering from the
effects of his indisposition. His speech
lacked the ring of sincerity and con-
viction that characterized the prime
minister's. The latter had an easy task
in pouring ridicule upon what he de-
scribed, amid the rousing cheers of
his supporters, as a new tangled
Caesarism," this arrogant usurpation"
of the lords.
PREMIER CAUSES LAUGHTER
The premier's ironical reference to
the instinct of dvination" of the peers
on reaching manhood dissolved his
hearers in laughter. He quoted with
trenchant effect the speech of Balfour
less than a year ago. in which the
former premier described himself as a
house of commons man" and said:
"It is the house of commons, not
the house of lords. which settles, un-
controlled our financial system. If
the house of lords could touch the
money bills the whole executive ma
chinery of the country would be
brought to a standstill.
The amazement in which the liberals
listened to the quotations from Bal
four against himself was only equaled
| by the chagrin depicted on the faces OF
Balfour's followers. Altogether, As
quith surpassed himself, and his elated
| followers declare that he never made
finer or more effective speech. In
conclusion he said:
SYSTEM OF LOADED DICE
I'VE are living under a system of
false balances and loaded dice. When
democracy voted for a liberal govern
ment the dormant second chamber
| awoke from its slumbers and nulliffed
the work of the house of commons.
! eve shall ask the house by this vote
| and we shall ask the constituencies at
| the earliest possible moment to declare
| that the organ, the voice of the free
people of this country, is to be found
| in the accredited representatives of
| the nation"
Arthur Henderson, leader of the
| labor party in the house of commons.
announced that the government would
have the wholehearted support of the
| la borites.
The nationalists who had decided not
| to participate in the debate or division,
were conspicuous by their absence.
| 1t is understood that parliament will
be dissolved, so as to permit the hold
ing of elections between January 10
and 20 The prorogation will take
place tomorrow.
BALFOUR FAVORS SUBSIDY
LONDON, Dec. "a. J. Balfour has
! written another letter for publication
dealing with the cotton problem.
After reference to the difficulties that
are looming up for Lancashire in OBJ
tanning supplies Of cotton and the more
remote but more formidable danger
arising from the fact that the time is
approaching when the United States
will require all home grown cotton
for its own industries, he lays down
the principle that private enterprise.
in extending the area of supply within
the British empire, should be supple
mented by public aid
Among tariff reformers the latter is
accepted as pledge that If the union
lists are victorious in the general .elec-
tion Balfour will be willing to sub
sidize British grown cotton.