Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-06-10
WILSON AND SENATE
CAUSE HOT DEBATE
Upper House Accused OF
Blocking Enactment OF
Sundry Civil Bill.
SUBJECT OF CONTENTION
CLASSED AS RIDICULOUS
Suggestion That the President Is
Hedging on Labor Exemption
Clause in Measure.

Severe criticism OF the senate
thing rarely heard in the House OF Repre-
sentatives-and the suggestion that Presi-
Geat Wilson is hedging on the sundrE
civil bill because of the paragraph eN-
cmpting labor unions and farmers coop
erative associations from investiga tons
under the antitrust laws. fell from the
iips of Representative Gillett of Massa
chusetts. a republican. in the House to-
day.
Representative Gillett a member of the
appropriations committee and also. one
Of the conferees on the sundry civil bill.
which hangs fire between the House and
Senate. with Sl13.Wo.OOO of government
appropriations held up. declared that IT
IS ridiculous that the Senate should
block the passage of this great appro-
priation bill for so small matter
as the reduction of the number OF MEM
bers on the board of managers for the
national soldiers home,
All that prevents the bill, with its many
millions OF appropriations and new pro-
iects for the District of Columbia from
enactment. is the difference as TO the
number of the managers for soldiers
homes. The House wants to cut the
membership to five. The Senate insists
that the membership be retained at
twelve. There is no salary attached to
any of these offices. but 1T was hinted
broadly today by Representative FitZ-
-
propriations committee, that there are
opportunities to swing big contracts for
supplies by members of the board
Says It Is Small Politics.
Representative Anthony, a republican,
OF Kansas, indirectly criticised Gillett and
Fitzgerald by saying that the House at
tempt at reducing the members was the
smallest piece of politics ever seen in the
House.
why this delay?" asked Representative
Gillett as he arose to protest against the
non-enactment OF the legislation. 1t IS
because the Senate refuses to agree to
the reduction proposed by the House In
the membership of the board of the Ma
tional Soldiers Home.
That seems to be the reason, but have
heard it whispered in private converse
ton, and have seen 1t mentioned in the
news, that President Wilson does not
with that clause relating to the exemp-
ton OF labor unions from antitrust laws.
/ viii not say that It is so. but have
heard It i can hardly believe It, 1 DO
not know the Presidents views on this
matter but II he had the courage OF his
convictions, as his predecessor had. there
would be no procrastination IN any event!
Procrastination would not nelp p1s the mat !.
waiting for that
Ridiculous-But Patronage Matter.
THE Senate IL really unwilling to cut
the board from twelve TO five. 1t Is
ridiculous. but 1t is a patronage matter.
/ am in sympathy with the House in its
attitude, and the House should be firm
in standing for this reduction. The Sen
ate ought to yield and this great meas
ure should pass. / have been told that
some members Of the board have been
active i'm trying to retain their places.
III Is hearsay. only, that an insfdious
lobby is at work.
The President has not shown any
reluctance in giving his views to Con-
sress. and it seems that he might.
while on visit to the Senate to dis
tribute the spoils suggest the impOr-
tance of passing this great bill. Sena-
tors do not like to diminish patronage.
of course: but it is a reproach to the
House the Senate and the President
that this bill. of importance to every
branch of the government, is held up
because OF lirtle matter of patron
age.
Comment and Retort.
.rhe cheapest piece OF politics ever
rIaycd." said Representative Anthony. as
Mr. Gilett sat down. 1t was done to give
control of this big chain of soldiers
homes into the hands of men friendly
10 the chairman of the appropriations
committee
gepresen.a::-s Fitzgerald replied in bit
ter words tnat Mr.. Anthony's views were
affected by the fact that he was inter
ested in people who sold to the board
~~.I fro,o lMr AuthOny'S) district