New-York tribune., 1913-07-31
Democratic Caucus UnexpeCt-
edIy Called to Fix Amount
of Appropriations.
MOVE AMAZES COMMITTEE
Chairman Fitzgerald Calls Idea
Ridiculous and Promises
Hot Fight at Meeting
To day.
frrnm The Tribune Bureau !

WASHINGTON, July 30.-Chalrmdn rItz-
gerald of the House Committee on Appro-
prations received to-day postcard no
tice that a Democratic caucus had been
called for tomorrow afternoon ito direct
the Appropriations Committee to include
in the general deficiency bill an item ap-
propriating sufficient money TO cover the
expense OF selecting sites or other dell
ciencet for the public buildings PROVIDED
for in the omnibus public buildings bill
passed at the last session of Congress
Mr.. Fitzgerald Immediately hit the
ceiling" Summoning his trusty lieuten-
ants on the Appropriations Committee, ne
declared war on the pork barrel mem
bers OF the House. whom he accused OF
quietly circulating a caucus petition 10
direct the Appropriations Committee to
spend money.
Chairman Frank Clark and his asso-
ciates on the Public Buildings Committee
are the moving spirits behind the sud
denly called caucIs. The notice Of eau
Gus was entirely unexpected by the mem
bership Of the House generally ana the
pork barrelites' have worked so stealth
lily that Mr.. Fitzgerald had no intmation
what was afoot until he received
printed notice to-day to attend a caucus
called ito direct his committee
II saw Representative Clark circulating
something about the House chamber the
other day," Mr.. Fitzgerald remembered
"but IL never occurred 10 me a movement
was on foo, 70 instruct the Appropriations
Committee now TO do its work. The idea
is ridiculous"
Mr. Fitzgerald intimated that his com
mittee would go slow on spending money
for public buildings until the state Of the
treasury was ascertained, following the
enactment Of the tariff bill.
The Secretary Of the Treasury In sub
mitting recently estimates for the general
deficiency appropriation bill Included 81
353 G6l for Increases In limits Of cost or
public buildings now under construction
Office. field and administrative work ad-
ditional employees under the Supervising
Architect and the beginning Of special
proiects OF this amount $4,000 is desired
for craftsmen. clerks, engineers and site
agents I'm the Office OF the Supervising
Architect
The estimates were threatened with Wig
orous pruning by the Appropriations
Committee until the caucus call was sud
denly thrust before the astounded chair
man. The entire fight is now thrown into
the caucus.
The "ioker" in the caucus plan is that
since the force Of the office OF the super
yising Architect was reduced several
wears ago the Appropriations Committee
has been able TO plead that the Office was
behind in it's work and that II was use
less 10 appropriate for more public build
ings until the Supervising Architect could
catch up" on plans, specifications and
site selections.
II tia pork barrel" faction can force
the expenditure Of $4,000 for additional
employees I'm the Supervising Architects 8
Office, plans and specifications will be
turLsd out with a rush and the construc-
ton Of buiidirgs authorized but not APP
propriated for" will be demanded from
all quarters
The caucus OF House Democrats Will
convene at . o'clock tomorrow afternoon
and lively scene: will be witnessed when
Mr. Fitzgerald and his indignant coll
leagues on the Appropriations Committee
grapp!e with the alert spendthrifts on the
Committee on Public Buildings and
Grounds