New-York tribune., 1911-02-17
HOUSE DEMOCRATS SNAP.



rate Of travel was not abnormal. for when
the party had again reached land and man
and beast had been thoroughly rested
peary spurted back to the ship. covering
over one hundred miles Of ground in two
sleeps" or nearly as much distance as
made by him in seven days from April 10
April 6. 1907.
Mr.. Graham. Of Illinois spoke on the
Bailinger- Pinchot investigation. He de-
clared that Mr.. Ballinger had been
caught red handed" dealing with the
special interests" but despite all that
was shown in the investigation he was
allowed to remain In President Tafts
Cabinet. Mr.. Graham was a member OF
the investigating committee.
The House adjourned at 10 p. m, with
the naval bill and the Peary reward still
under consideration.
Won't Raise Secretary's Salary.
Virtual notice was given to the House
to- day that II the appropriation bills are
TO be disposed of before March night
sessions must be frequent and the House
must meet early in the forenoon. Other
wise. Mr.. Mann and Mr.. Tawney sug-
gested. many Of the large appropriation
bills must be rushed through under sus-
pension Of the rules There are six ap-
propriation blllss and twelve conference
reports yet to be approved by the House.
Mr.. Tawney's warning was given be-
cause the House consumed nearly all the
afternoon debating the few items OF dis
! agreement in the legislative, executive
and judicial appropriation bill. The bill
was finally sent back TO conference, the
House insisting that it would not in
crease the salary of the Presidents Sec
retary. Similar action was taken with
reference to an increase Of $1,000 year
for the official stenographers OF the
House, inserted by the Senate.
Representatives Fitzgerald. Rainey'
Cox and Clayton, all Democrats. led the
opposition to the increase for the secre-
tary to the President. declaring that men
like Lamont. Cortelyou and Loeb had
served for $1,000 and $4,000 year.
Representative Glllett pleaded for a
salary commensurate with the dignity
Of the office. in order that older and more
experienced men might be retained in
this confidential capacity.
You would have us pay $1,000 for
added dignity, would your observed
Mr.. Clayton. This position is no more
dignified than that of circuit Judge,
a Senator or a Representative, and they
do not get $4,000 salaries.
Mr.. Fitzgerald suggested that the AS
sistant Secretaries Of State and OF the
Treasury receive only $1,000 and their
responsibilities are as great as those Of
a secretary TO the President.
Rainey Suggests a Prizefishtsr.
Mr.. Rainey said he knew Of no duties
the secretary had to perform that coulo
not be performed with equal tact by
Sneaker Cannon's negro messenger. He
asserted that some pugilist like Jack
Johnson or John L. Sullivan might per-
form some of the duties Of the office.
'Tt is not so long ago that at the order
Of one of these secretaries an old lady
was carried screaming through the
White House grounds" he said. III
S6 OO0 secretary would do thlng ike
that. in the name of God what would a
$4,000 secretary do?"
Mr. Olmsted. of Pennsylvania. took MI.
Rainey TO task. IF the gentleman from
Illinois considers his course either INTEL
Iieent or dignifed, am willing that he
should have a monopoly of that kind OF
argument" he said. "If he thinks
nrizefghter or a messenger could do the
work OF a secretary TO the PRESIDENT
don't care 10 argue with HIM.
THE gentleman was perhaps express
inc q hope as TO what might occur under
the next administration" suggested Mr..
Mann.
! "rThen the gentleman admits that We
will have Democratic President said
| Mr.. Hefin, OF Alabama.
! Have YOU any knowledge as to what
lame duck is going to get this job?'
asked Mr.. Clayton.
! "I have not" replied Mr.. Olmsted. but
| do know that as result of the coming
resignation of the very courteous gentle
man now holding the office the President
| is in great difficulty to secure a man to
fill the place at the present salary
The military appropriation bill went
| back to conference because the House
refused To concur in the Senate amend
ment authorizing the detachment OF 612
army officers TO train the national guard
of the country. Mr.. Hull. as a COM
promise, suggested 400. and Mr.. Hay, of
| Virginia, proposed only 200. The Hay
amendment finally carried, following the
assertion OF various Democrats that 1T
/ is proposed merely to afford four hun
dred soft snaps for army favorites. who
will not train the national guard. but
who will receive soft berths elsewhere"