New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-04-25
FARMERS FREE LIST Up
Democrats Get Down to Business
After Wrangle Over Patronage.
HOUSE TO DEBATE 1T TO-DAY
On Plea That Democratic Mem.
bers Need the Money Mileage
Bill Is Allowed to Stand.
from Tho tribune Bureau.l

frronn Tho Tribune Bureau.l
washinston. April 24-After the Demo-
Gratis had wrangled for more than three
hours over the clerical help wanted by the
committees that are 10 conduct whoiesaie
Investigations OF the federal departments
Representative Underwood called up IN me
House late this afternoon the Farmers
Free List bill reported BY the ways ana
Means Committee.
General debate on the bill, which places
more than one hundred articles used by
The farmer on the free list. will begin TO-
morrow. There already are 90 many re-
quests for time that the House leaders DE-
ueve the debate will last during the entire
week. No definite date was set for its ter
minstion.
The measure IS expected TO pass tne
House by a majority almost as large as
that given the Presidents Canadian reel
procity measure. The solid Democracy aho
more than thirty insurgents from the ae-
ric,,Itural Middle West favor Il. The bill
will be stuhbornly fought by those Repubh-
csns who believe In the policy OF protec-
tion.
The Democrats, aided by few Republi-
Fans. spent nearly all Of the day In
srangle over the question OF supplying ses-
ejon clerks for the nine committees on
eypendtures In the various departments.
No Democrat seemed TO know just exactly
what was wanted and Representative Fftz-
gerald. with a show of impatience. finally
moved 10 knock out the entire section,
sending Il back to the Committee on Ac-
counts
That committee had brought In resoIu-
ton providing for nine session clerks at Sc
dsy each. Representative Garner moved to
amend by providing for hfteen clerks at si25
o month each. Representative Sherley want
ed only nine clerks. at S25 q month each.
Members Of the Committed on Accounts
seemed 10 have no definite programme
The Fitzgersld motion carried. and the
committees are still without clerks and CAN
not begin the era of investigation until an
agreement is reached.
The House passed a resolution making
Immediately available the mileage allow
sncss OF the various members, which az
Eregates sii5,co. Representative Cox, Of
indiana, remembering that the Democrats
hsve said a great deal about economy,
could not be headed of until he had pre-
sented an amendment to reduce the mile
mile On route to Washington and cents
a mile returning home was sufficient to
transport member and lis family to and
from the capital
Why do you agitate this question now
when we need the money so badly" inter-
posed Representative Garrett. Of Tonnes
See Bring IL UP next session"
Representative Fitzgerald made point
a. order against the Cox amendment on
the ground that the mileage had been APP
propriated for in the 6lSt Congress and
the law could not be changed now. The
point OF order was upheld, and. having
shown himself a Democratic watchdog Of
the Treasury. Mr.. Cox contentedly took his
seat
After the House passes the Free List bill,
the Ways and Means Committee viii take
up the textile schedules. concerning the re-
-ision OF which the Democrats are badly
split up. There is expected to naterialize
hen the first real clash between the free
trade Democrats and those who believe in
various degrees ot protection.