New-York tribune., 1912-03-04
TAFT'S CARFARE ATTACKED
House Democrats Would Abolish
Travelling Allowance.
From The Tribune Bureau.


/ Washington. March 3-The Democrats of
the House Appropriations Committee. who
are now subjecting the legislative. execu-
tive and judicial appropriation bill TO the
pruning process, will attempt TO strike
from It the $4,000 travelling expenses
OF the President OF the United States.
For several years this amount has been
allowed annually on the theory that tho
country wanted 20 see the President and
that $500 might be expended for the
legitimate expense. especially now that no
Chief Executive accepts free transportation
from railroads.
No grea, surprise Is occasioned. however.
by the report that the Democrats intend
to abolish the appropriation. That an ap-
propriation OF this size must inevitably
m ct the Democratic economy" axe was
assured when II was learned recently that
the House majority are clipping off smaller
appropi iatiJns here and there without re-
gard TO the exig sncies Of the government
service.
For instance. the bill will provide that no
Cabinet officer or other government official
shall keep 81 a month telephone at his
residence at the expense of the federal
Treasury. 1t is unnecessary, the Democrats
hold. for a Cabinet officer to talk over
governmental affairs with the President or
a subordinate after Office hours and semi
official telephones at residences must go.
The attempt OF the Democrats to elmi-
nate the travelling expenses of the Presi.
dent from the legislative appropriation bill
may create an embarrassing situation on
the majority side. if history repeats itself.
Republican members of the House still
chuckle when they recall how Representa-
tive Tawney, then chairman OF the Appro-
priations Committee, hazed certain Demo-
Gratis when they proposed to strike out the
travelling account item two years ago Rep
resentatlve Bartlett and other Democrats
made rabid attacks on the appropriation,
asserting that It was absolutely foolish that
the President should have travelling ex-
penses which might be used to acquaint
him with the people and. incidentally, gath
er I'm few votes.
After numerous Democrats had yelled
themselves hoarse Mr.. Tawney arose and
said:
Il viii now read the names of certain
distinguished Democrats who accepted the
hospitality Of the President on recent
trip South and who helped spend some OF
the appropriation to the continuance Of
which they now object"
Mr.. Tawney then read with great en-
phasis the names of dozen or more Demo-
Gratis who had been the guests Of the Pres
ident and who had had no qualms about
accepting the hospitality Of his special train.
The lesson went home and afforded the Re-
publcans much amusement and the Demo-
Gratis much embarrassment
The list may be again read TO the House
when the Democrats bring in a bill at
tempting TO economlze. and to make up
deficiencies caused by pension legislation
and other vote-getting grabs at the expense
of the dignity OF the Office OF President
An at:empt is also TO be made to abolish
the Commerce Court. the Tarih Board and
the Economy Commission.
The abolition OF the Commerce Court Is
provided in bill already introduced by
Representative Sims. but the Democrats
believe they can accomplish this better by
cutting off its appropriation. The objec-
tion to the Tarin Board is because It is
an executive body and not under the dlrec.
ton Of the Ways and Means Committee. !
The Econcmy Commission, they assert, is
not accomplishing anything.