The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-05-09
TAFT'S EXPENSES
CAUSE COMMENT
His Many Journeys Will Be
Theme Of Debate in
House.
BUDGET NOT YET READY
Secretary Carpenter Wants Presi-
dents Money Made Avail
able at Once.
BUDGET NOT YET READY

Washington, May s.--Preside nt Taft's
journeying throughout the country Is
to be made the subject OF an acrim-
onious debate in the House when the
sundry civil bill comes up for con-
sideration in that body.
The measure contains a provision
appropriating $4,000 to defray the
Presidents travelling expenses.
Under ordinary circumstances this
amount would not become available
until July /, the beginning OF the new
fiscal year
AT the request of Fred w. Carpenter.
the Presidents secretary. the appro-
priationt is to become Immediately
available
Members Of the House Committee on
Appropriations say they were not in
formed why tho White House wanted
the amount TO "become Immediately
available" They took 1t for granted
the current appropriation was about
exhausted, and therefore acceded to
the White House request.
Democrats File Protest.
Democratic members of the commit
tee, at the meeting at which this item
was considered. entered protest
against the appropriation being made
available for expenditure before July
j,
Republican colleagues.
President Taft is aware OF the criti-
cisrs that nave been made by Re-
publlcans in Congress OF his frequent
absences from Washington during the
consideration Of important bills on the
administration program.
Answering his critics he has de-
clared that 1t was the duty OF the
President TO accept some OF the invi-
tations extended him.
The Presidents trips formed the
subject Of animated discussion at the
meeting OF the Committee on Appro-
priations VIXEN 1t was decided to make
the travelling account OF the Executive
available as soon as the sundry civil
bill was approved. The Democrats in
appropria ton for the Presidents trav-
cling expenses
They pointed out that IL the COM
nittee should recommend the amount
be made Immediately availa BILE" that
an increase in the appropriation would
thus be made in a round about way,
and that next year. probably, the
White House would make a similar re-
quest.
Fitzgerald Is Leader.
Democrats Will oppose the sundry
civil bill item, making the Presidents
travelling expenses available immedi-
ately. instead of July !. Representa-
tive Fitzgerald of New York. will take
the lead in the fight The Democrats
Will use this provision in a partisan
way 10 inform the country that the
President spends too little time In
Washington. In this connection they
have been collecting lot OF figures.
They VIII be related by the Demo
Gratis when the sundry civil bill comes
up for debate. Representatives Taw-
ney. chairman of the Committee on APP
nropriations. who will have TO defend
the item, is not in happy frame OF
mind.
The president is beginning to listen
10 suggestions OF his Republican
friends that ne stick more closely 10
the Job. He has Cancelled an engage
ment to attend the launching OF the
battleship Florida in BROOKLYN neN'
Thursday. and has called off his en-
ragement to deliver an address at At
iantic city May 90. when the labor de-
nartment OF the Presbyterian churcr
is scheduled to meet.