The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-02-05
More Interesting Than Any
Other Measure Coming
Up in Congress.
HOUSE RULES HANDY
" Jokers" Often Knocked Out
by Point of Order Rule
Liquor Situation.
~ RooERIck CLIFFORD.
(American News Sefyice)

fAmcrfcan News Sci vicc)
Washington. Feb. 4.-No proceeding
In the house 10 more interesting than
consideration OF an appropriation bill.
Tho reason for this Is that much of
the new legislation enacted by the
house is grated on supply bills in
amendments offered by the members
from the floor OF the house. Under
the rules that govern the house moth
Ing not authorized by existing law is
permitted In an appropriation bill.
and all new matter reported in a sup
ply bill from the committee having
the measure in charge Is subject to
point OF order which. If made. knocks
the item out.
Two membesr of the house who
make a specially of this practice are
Representative Mann of Illinois, one
OF Speaker Cannons right hand men
and Representative Macon OF Arkan-
sas. the Democratic Watchdog" But
even with them on the watch tower
amendments would slip by were it
not that other members kept a close
lookout for the little joker" The
little Joker" In an appropriation bill
Ia an item increasing a salary or en-
larGing the powers OF some Official, or
authorizing the head of an executive
department to make an innovation un.
der the guise Of an improvement.
II was an item of this character
that came under the observation of
Representative Goldfogle OF New
h., IA
appropriation bill was under consid-
Grafton. He discovered the little
Joker" when the bill was taken up i'm
nediately after the session began.
Yet II was close to Ave o'clock in the
afternoon before the opportunity pre-.
Sentcd itself to knock It out with a
point OF order. The Joker" in the
bill provided THAT after December
81. 1911. delivery Of mail by city let
ter carriers shall be made only at
such residences and places of bust
ness az provide at the door or en-
trance suitable rcccptaclcs for its de-
posits." This looked innocent enough.
but In the opinion Of Representative
GoldfoGlc. the adoption OF the para
graph would have given the postmast-
er general authority to issue an or
der prescribing the kind of letter
boxes and the next move would have
been for some favored box marufac-
turer to get approval OF box to be
sold to every housekeeper in all cities
Such piece OF legislation, Mr.. Gold
fogle said today. would have been
burden to thousands of his constit-
uents. Chairman Weeks of Massa-
chusctts. who had charge of the bill,
madc no objections. and said nothing
In tho way OF suggestion that the item
ought TO remain In the bill. II would
be Interesting, Mr. Goldfogle says to
know just how and why the Joker"
was slipped in. Some years ago the
postofiicc department undertook to
prescribe the shape and size of letter
boxes on rural delivery route. but the
insinuations of favoritism became SO
pronounced that the entire matter
was abandoned, and tho recipients Of
mail were allowed to provide any
kind Of box they wished.
10 Cloak for Criticism.
Representative Hefin Of Alabama.
while lounging in the Democratic
cloak room handed out a little talk on
the beauties OF the leave to print