Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-14
HOT RETORTS PRECEDE
RESTORATION OF PEACE
Consideration of Appropriation
Measure Makes Slow Progress.
UNDER DISCUSSION ALL DAY
Provision for Dividing the Building
Inspection Fees Between Fed
eral and District Govern
ments Only Change in Bill.

Although the District of Columbia ap-
preparation bill was under consideration
by the House of Representatives all day
yesterday, consideration of only ten of
the Ill pages of the measure were COM
peted. Representative BuTleson of
Texas. in charge of the bill, hoped to
complete its consideration by next
Thursday. but at the rate of progress
made yesterday this will be impossible.
Tomorrow unanimous consent business
has the right of way. and the bill will
not be taken up until Tuesday. We'd
nesday is the day for consideration Of
the business on the special calendar, and
again the local measure will be side
tracked From the attitude of the House.
as evidenced by yesterdays action, about
every paragraph of the bill will be dis
cussed i'm detail.
The proceedings yesterday were enliy-
ened by d sharp tilt between Representa-
tive johnson of Kentucky. the chairman
of the District committee, and Repre-
sentative Madden of Illinois, who was
formerly member of the appropriations
subcommittee in charge of the District
bill and who has always taken keen in
terest i'm local legislation. The row arose
over Mr.. Jollnson's objection TO an allow
aEce of $500 year to two elevator in
spectors for the maintenance of their
motor cycles. Mr.. Madden sharply criti-
eised the District chairman for taking a
position that might result in endangering
human life in the District. Mr.. Johnson
rctorted by declaring that the Illinois
member. when the crossing policemen $
relief measure was under consideration
the other day, had opposed 1t in the in
terest of the street railway corporations
Immediate Opportunity Assured.
Il take exception to that. Mr. Mad
Den shouted back.
Then take exception outside" retort-
cd Mr.. johnson. adding in effect that
ehere was no time like the present. And
he moved toward the door. Mr.. Madden
remarked that he wasn't prize fighter.
"A coward sits down and laughs. and
that is all he can do,' remarked the
District chairman.
Things looked squally for a moment.
but the storm blew over and Mr.. john
son withdrew his point of order
against the motor cycle allowance to
the elevator men.
sentative Hughes of New Jersey. and
Fowler of Illinois. sharply criticized
the appropriations committee for not
increasing the salaries of men en-
plOye0 Dy Ine al
from so TO 500 a month. Representa-
tive Victor Berger. the Milwaukee So
cialist, and some republicans also
Joined in the attack. But all amend
ments attempting TO increase these
salaries were eliminated on points or
order by Representative Burleson OF
Texas. in charge of the bill
Only one change was made in the
measure. This was based on an amend
. ment offered by MIR. BurlesOn, which
was adopted providing that hereafter
all fees collected by .he building in
spection division be turned into the
federal treasury. one-half TO the credit
of the District Of Columbia and one
half to the credit os the genera: gov
: .rnment At present the entire amount
~ these fees is deposited to the credit
CT the District.
Bill Read for Amendment.
After general debate had been exhaust
ed. reading Of the District bill by Sec
tions. for purposes Of amendment. was
begun.
When the paragraph relating to the
building inspection division was reached.
Representative Mann of Illinois pointed
out that while one half of the expenses
of this Office are borne by the federal
government. all the fees are covered into
the treasury to the credit of the District
of Columbia.
Mr. Burleson explained that the law
provided for this. He was of the opinion,
however, that the fees should be equally
divided between the federal government
and the District, and, on his suggestion,
the paragraph was temporarily passed
over little bit later. however. an
amendment offered by Mr.. Burleson was
adopted providing that hereafter the fees
collected by the building inspection divi-
sion shall be covered into the federal
treasury. one half to the credit of the
general government and one half to the
credit OF the District of Columbia.
Raises Point of Order.
Chairman Johnson of the District CON-
mittee made a point OF order, on the
ground that IL was not authorized by law
against the paragraph reading as follows
ITO reimburse two elevator inspectors
for the provision and maintenance by
themselves of two motor cycles for use
In their official inspection of elevators in
the district OF Columbia. x15 per month
each. $500
Representative Madden of Illinois sug
gested that the point of order made by
Mr.. Johnson might affect human life il
the District by hamperfng the elevator
inspectors in their work and preventing
them from covering the territory assigned
to them. .
am astonIShed, said MIR. MAIDEN
Ito think. that a member OF this Hous'
should oppose such an appropriation.
ITO do so Is to cripple the work of the
elevator inspectors and expose men
women and children to danger. The gen
tleman from Kentucky is assuming .
great responsibility. To say that the In
spectors ride their motor cycles on Sun
days and wear out their tires Is petit
foeging. and it is unworthy of membei
10 make such a point of order"
The other day." Mr.. johnson respond
ed, 1.-THE gentleman from Illinois stoot
here on this floor and undertook to pre-
vent the giving Of protection to womer
and children i'm crossing the street cal
tracks in order to save money for a cor
por;.tion.
Mr.. Madden replied that Mr. johnson
50 mistaken.
!f this were a corporation whose as
sets were to be assailed,' Mr.. johnson
continued. :" do;sbt not that the gentle