Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-07-02
LABOR TO
PERFECT BILL ON
WATERWAYS
Massachusetts Representative
Takes Occasion to Again
Brand Charge 1t Is a Pork
Barrel
Morning Journal Bureau.
613 Munsey Building,
Wnshinrton. -. c.. June 80.

49, hhfHA1 NEt me- h-"h t'H
els Munsey Building.
Washington, y. c., June 80.
Up TO the time when President TAFT
attached mis- signature to the rivers
and harbors bin some OF the newspa-
pcrs continued 10 class the waterways
measure as a pork harrcl'' bill. As Il
matter Of Fact pork barrel lcgisla-
ton does no more fit the bill than IL
would fit the postofflce appropriation
bill, for both measures concern the
entire country, while the public build
ings and grounds bin interests only the
localities In which sites are TO be pur-
chased ana public buildings erected.
Representative George +. Lawrence
Of Massachusetts,, who was one OF the
eonferees on the rivers and harbors
bill. which carries in the neiehbor-
hood OF $52,O 900, 600. has some very
pronounced views on the subject OF
pork barrel measures, especially
with reference to the development OF
the waterways OF the country.
In discussing The measure and it,
generally very acceptable character,
Mr., Lawrence said:
Many years ago river and harbor
bills were passed without very scrup-
ulous regard for reports Of engineers
or the merits 81 particular projects.
such bills were passed under suspen-
sion Of the rules, without opportunity
for discussion or amendment, ana
naturally resulted in two instances,
at least. In well remembered vetoes.
II was under such conditions that
the title OF pork barrel bills came m
to use,
During the past ten years there mas
been an entirely differeh, system in
vogue. The great bills Of 1902, 1905,
1907 and of the present year were
(every one of them) considered IN the
house with the fullest opportunity for
criticism and amendment to each ana
every section. There has been a Q II
slant effort to make the legislative
basis OF the rivers and harbors APP
propriation more strict. we nave
created a board of review, consisting
OF five engineer Officers of the army
The policy of the committee since
1902 has bocn TO iusist that before
a project should be included in a rlN-
ers and harbors bill there must be A
preliminary examination end survey.
made by the local engineer, passeu
upon by the dlvislon engineer, anu re-
portcd f%avorably by the board OF re-
View md the chief engineers. Very
few exceptions to this policy v been
made since 1902 and such action was
genorally taken In conference. because
Il was considered necessary 10 save
n bill. And | may say right here that
there are now new projects In TINS Dill
that were not approved by the boaru
of engineers. The senate added sew
eral Objectionable items. but the houso
confcrccs won in their contention that
such provision must 60 cut OF INC
bin,
II have assisted in preparing four
river and harbor bills and
wish TO zeal testimony to the seli-
sacrificing and conscientious work
done by members Of the committee
bubble can have little ~conceft'on
Of tho amount of labor. required.
when one considers that there are
now recommended by the engineers
projects chilling for expenditure OF,
three or four hundred million dollars,
most of them vigorously pressed, 1t
be seen that It Is not easy to limit
a bill to $50. 900, 900.
II have never known of see
tinnallsm or politics playing a
IN the work OF the committee. |
have never had occasion to suspect
deals of any nature were being
The projects stand or ran on
OF course. errors of judgment
been made. both by the en-
.ginecrs nd the committee. But |
that river and harhor bills
VIII bear as close scrutiny as any APP
preparation bills that are considered
congress. The present bill Is SUI
aerior to its predecessors, In that II
been constructed with greater re-
for definite plans n business
ike methods. II has taken some
'ouragc TO plan for the completion of
great projects. requiring great OK
,cnditure within a limited period. We
AVE, however. done 50 and the "drib-
ling" policy formerly pursued is
.uomcd.
T. have read with much interest
suggestions of the president about
uturc waterway bills. when he signed
river and harbor lin, and | be-
icve them excellent. l ave no doubt
lis suggestions will De carried out py
he committee