The Washington herald., 1909-02-20

Carrying an appropriation Of more than
the Senate yesterday without much oppo-
sition on the part OF Senator La Toilette
or his band OF insurgents
The pension appropriation. which passed
earlier in the day. was also enacted with
old-tiTne Senate alacrity, its consideration
taking less than forty minutes. This
measure carries an appropriation OF $780,
00e. 600.
Following the bitter attack made on the
Wisconsin Senator on the preceding day
by Senator Penrose. renewed hostilities
were expected when the Senate convened
TO consider two more large budgets.
Leaders Are Determined.
The leaders started out with set deter
mination. however. 10 rush the general
appropriation bills through. IN spite Of
Mr. La Toilette. who was IN his seat
early and ready to fight.
The first and practically the only clash
Of the day came when Senator McCumber
submitted the pension bill and moved to
proceed with its consideration
Dir. La Toilette promptly arose.
Debate on that motion Is not In order. $
said Mr.. Lodge.
Il realize perfectly well that debate is
not in order, replied the Wisconsin Sen
ator. I realize that I cannot make a
brief statement except by unanimous con-
sent II 1 cannot get the consent now, I
viii make the statement later when can
proceed within the rules"
Let him go ahead" urged several Re
publicans IN chorus. and Senator McCum-
Der yielded
Mr.. La Toilette had little 70 say. He
explained that he was a member Of the
Pensions Committee and had attended the
hearings. The bill. he explained. was a
routine measure appropriatinE money 10
meet official estimates. 4 an familiar
with its provisions" said he. and do not
desire further time 10 consider IL. but Il
any other Senator here desires TO exam
inc the bill l viii vote with him TO have
Il go over for a day.
No Senator expressed a desire 10 exam
inc the budget, and the consideration pro-
/ ceeded.
Senators Hale. Aldrich. and other lead-
ers are taking 10 chances on a fiibuste1
that may send some Of the appropriation
bills over 70 the special session. and I'm
mediately upon conclusion OF the pensions
matter took up the army appropriation
bill
Passed with AIacrity.
This measure consumed more time in
its discussion than the pension bill. but
was passed with little change. just as il
was reported from the committee. Of
which Senator Warren is chairman.
Mr.. La Toilette vas out of the cham
her when the consideration was begun,
but shortly afterward he resumed his
seat. when he arose 10 ask questions
about certain items. Z was then ne ex-
pressed himself. and said he would have
moved that its consideration 20 over fOr
a day had he been present.
He remained IN his place throughout
the discussion. taking but little part In
the deliberations that brought out some
stirring statements oy Senators Hepburn
and Nelson regarding military roads in
Alaska
Mr. Hepburn did not ike the idea Of
building public roads in that vast domain
when the boundary near the Canadian
border was not precisely settled.
Among the provisions made for military
roads is an item Of 81 00G for a road from
the highway bridge 10 Arlington National
Cemetery.
OF the fifteen appropriation bills that
Congress must pass each year 10 keep
the wheels Of government turning. eight
have been passed and one is on the ways
Il the Senate. Those that have most
of the elements OF contest within them
are safely over the breakers. and with
two possible exceptions, the others have
the prospect Of going through on a slide.
Apprehension Is Quieted.
The apprehension that some Of the
larger measures would go over 20 the
next Congress has been quieted. The
passage OF the big pension. bill yesterday
is close TO record tine. and the army
bill coming on Immediately. getting
Indian bill ready and waiting its turn
the Senate is encouraged in the belief that
all the necessary measures would get
through before adjournment, with posi-
bly, little time TO spare for other busi-
ness.
These appropriation bills are out Of the
way: Legislative, District OF Columbia,
pension. post-office and post roads. naval
urgent deficiency. and army.
Those yet in committees are agricul-
ture. fortihcations. diplomatic and con-
suiar, Military Academy, sun6ry civil,
and general deficiency.
This makes fourteen all told. The if
teenth is rivers and hsrbors. which has
been abandoned this year. its place being
taken by 4 special appropriation Of about
S1o,0oo.e00 for necessary work.