New-York tribune., 1912-08-25
Sacrificed the Navy.

Sacrificed the Navy.
d, tho face ~ a threat from a large
coteri. OF Democrats that no battleshlps
would be authorized unless there were
pork barrel public building bill the
House sacrificed the navy under the pre-
tenre o, economy. Later. after the con-
,rov.r~y was extended through severa!
caucuses. the House reluctantly yielded
half yay 20 the Senate demand, consent
ing 10 authorize one battleship.
In The same way the army vas cut
Down by I've regiments of cavalry. aud
-icb drastic legislation. including pro-
vision designed 20 Gust Major General
Wood from the ONCE OF chief ~ stan
was Included IN TIE measure that was
vetoed b. the President
Most ~ the other Objectionable lesis-
Iative riders attached 10 the sppropria-
ton bills were eliminated on the insist
ence OF the President, but not until II
had become necessary 10 extend the sp-
propriat!ons FOR the last fiscal year three
distinct times by special resolution.
Methods Of the House were best eI-
emplifsd IN the case Of the pension ap-
preparation bill. The House included In
this measure a Legislative provision sbol-
lshinR the pension agencies throughout
the country. The Senate objected 10 this
and suggested that the question should
be Incorporated In a separate measure.
which would be given Immediate con-
sideratlon This the House leaders obst!-
nately refused 10 do. and the bill was
held up 50 long that the pensions be-
came overdue and The old soldiers were
deprived OF what was in many cases
their only support while the House
struggled and 0uibbled. Rather than
deprive the veterans Of their money
longer the Senate consented 20 the aboh-
tion OF the agencies.
Although most OF the legislation at
tached to the appropriation bills by the
House was either eliminated on the in
siatence or the President or modified by
the Senate, several important provisions
were finally approved and enacted. These
include.
Establishment OF a parcels post system.
n Senate provision substituted for the eX-
per!mental parcels post provided for By
the House
duct experiments for the Improvement or
public highways in conjunction with post
routes. a Senate provision substituted for
the House provision TO distribute millions
OF dollars annually TO the states.
Seven-year term or enlistment for the
army. OF which four years shall be IN
active service and three in reserve
Abolition Of the Tariff Board on the
demand Of the Democrats
The attitude Of the House was disclosed
not only In the medley of tariff measures
and legislative riders to the supply bills
but in It's refusal TO consider important
measures sent over from the Senate
II pigeonholed the employers liability
and workmen's compensation bill. one Of
the most important constructive measures
considered during the session. preferring
to sacrifice the rights of millions OF
working men and women 20 permitting
President Taft 10 gain credit for the en-
lightened and progressive legislation
II refused to take up the immigration
bill which was also the fruit OF ex-
tended and painstakins investigation by
a special commission.
II rejected the Republican sugar bill.
In the Senate the Democrats ernascu-
lated the arbitration treaties with Great
Britain and France TO such an extent that
ratihcations were never exchanged. and
practically killed the treaties with Nc
aragua and Honduras designed TO pre-
vent revolutionary activity I'm those two
countries
At the close OF the session several
measures were pending, the most I'M
portant OF which were bills creating a
Department OF Labor. passed by the
House and favorably reported to the SEN
ate; abolishing involuntary servitude OF
seamen: modifying the laws relating to
injunctions. and prohibiting corporations
from making campaign contributions and
limiting contributions Of individuals.
Through the efforts OF insurgent Re
publicans In both houses the proposed
amendment to the Constitution limiting
! the tenure Of ONCE OF the President TO .
] single term Of six yeay> vas block>"-