New-York tribune., 1912-03-06
From The Tribune Bureau.l

BATTL LESBIPS AND PORK.-The DEM
| ocratic chairman of the Public Buildings
Committee gave notice to-day to his
| brethren in the House that they could not
Yield to the almost unanimous demand
for the maintenance Of the navy at its
present standard without swallowing
pork barrel" otherwise known as a pub
lie buildings bill. as well. Condemnation
OF the action Of the Democratic caucus in
prohibiting the authorization of any bat
tleships this year has been so general and
has been expressed so emphatically in the
| Democratic press that the leaders have
about made up their minds to Tescind the
mandate Of the caucus and authorize one
and possibly two-battleships. as ma
tional election is so close at land. Learn
! ing Of this fact, Representative Burnett
OF Alabama, who is acting chairman OF
the Public Buildings Committee, deter
mined that there should he no battleships
unless there was a pork barrel. and ac-
cordingly addressed a communication 10
his colleagues calling a meeting Of the
committee for Friday morning. when a
plan of operation TO secure a pork bar
rel will be decided on Those who want
there is any public necessity for such a
measure. or even any general demand.
But they do assert that IT will help many
| Democrats 10 gain reelection 10 the
House if they can secure some sort OF
public building for their districts. The
Democratic leaders are greatly perturbed
by this prospect They realize that they
made a serious mistake when they voted
against any new battleshlps, and they arc
equally convinced that II will bo a grave
political error to pass a public buildings
bill, especially in view of the Democratic
pretensons of economy. On the other
hand, where their personal interests are
at stake. the Democrats in the House are
an ungovernable mob instead of we'll
disciplined majority and If they decide to
take the bit in their teeth their leaders, as
| they realize only too well, will be power
less to restrain them either as to the pas
sage Of a pork barrel bill itself or as to
its magnitude. Representative Fitzgerald.
the one insistent advocate of n policy Of
| economy is in despair.
MARTIN TELLS TRUTH.-Representa
tive Martin, or Colorado, caused his Demo-
cratic colleagues excruciating anguish to-
day, when he persisted i'm telling the plain
truth about the free sugar" indorsed by
the Democratic caucus. which he candidlY
declared to be "a piece Of political bunk"
In return for this truthful but possibly in
judicious assertion, Representative Garner.
of Texas, called Mr.. Martin a "betrayer OF
his party" and apologies were required
eventually to smooth the ruffied feelings Of
the Democrats. During the debate on the
agricultural appropriation bill Mr.. Garner
proposed an amendment authorizing q 5000
appropriation for experimental sugar pro-
ducing plants, the debate indicating that
Mr.. Garner would like to spend a portion
Of the amount along the Rio Grande. Mr..
Martin charged that the Texas Representa-
tive was trying 10 curry political favor
among his constituents at the expense of
the government. "The gentleman is among
those who supported the free sugar bill.
piece OF political bunk and a measure
which Is absolutely indelensible,' said Mr..
Martin. "He now hopes to restore him
self to favor by taking home 5000 In his
vest pocket TO pursue an investigation of
an industry which the bill he supports
! would destroy" Mr.. Garner was irste
when he arose to reply to his fellow Demo
crat. and said few harsh things regard
ing Mr.. Martins refusal TO support the
latest tariff revision bill agreed on by the