The Washington times., 1913-03-03
PORK BARREL" BILL
MAY FAIL TO PASS.
District Appropriations Are
Rock on Which Conferees
Split in Conference.


that the public buildings bill would fail
to get through Congress. The two
houses are at serious disagreement over
four important items in the measure.
Senator Sutherland, shartiy after /
o'clock, reported a partial agreement
from the conference committee, but
stated that the House conferees had re-
fused to consent to four features of the
bill. These are the District armory, the
Red Cross building, the proposed park
connecting Rock Creek Park and Poto-
mac Park, and =, 600 600 appropriation
for the New York court house.
Senator Sutherland moved that the
Senate insist further on its amendments
and send the bill back to conference.
Senator Swanson said he was unwilling
to have the bill fail entirely because of
a few items In 1t. He moved that the
Senate recede from the four items In
disagreement
Root Opposes Concessions.
A stormy discussion at once arose.
Senator Root strongly objected to re-
ceding. Senator Lodge took the floor,
declared many features of the bill were
vicious, and objected vigorously to the
fact the conferees had eliminated the
Kern amendment, which would prevent
use Of any of the appropriations for
localities wher the postoffice receipts
were below $4,000.
In the midst Of the wrangle, Sena-
tor Burnham brought up the confer
ence report on the Agricultural appro-
priation bill and managed to get 1t
considered. This left the public build
ings bill conference report up In the
air.
Senator Sutherland in outlining the
partial agreement on the public build
ing BILL said the conferees, had struck
out the original provision 70 rthe memo
rial bridge over the Potomac and had
and investigation into the project. This
is to be in charge Of a commission con-
sisting of the President, the Vice Presi-
dent, the Speaker of the House. and the
two chairmen of the Public Buildings
Committee.
The Senate met at 9:45 and went into a
long executive session. This, however.
did not prevent conferees on various
appropriation bills fro mmeeting and
maing progress.
Agree On Postal Bill
The conferees on the Postoffice bill
came to an agreement this morning.
They were in dispute over the blue
tag order and reweighing Of the mails.
1t was decided to add per cent to the
payof the railroads on account Of the
parcels post and the blue tag order
was referred to the commission on
second-class mail matter.
An agreement was reached In con-
ference on the agricultural bill.
Among other things. the conferees
have restored the provision for the
free seed distribution.
The Mclean bird bill is retained In the
bill as an amendment.
The sum of 81, 900 is allowed for the
purpose of enabling the Government to
help on the work Of stamping out hog
cholera.
As for the division of markets, the
House provision on this Is retained. 1t
simply makes an appropriation for d.
provision created a division Of markets.
Sundry Civil Measure.
The sundry civil bill is still in dis
agreement. and Senator Warren report
ed that fact to the Senate this after
noon. The Senate insisted on its amend
ments. The items in the bill, which
are in dispute are the location Of the
Department Of State building. the CO.
lumbia Hospital building. the proposed
enlargement Of Geological Park. the
enlargement of the Capitol grounds, the
Exposition item, the
National Conservation Congress Hem'
and one or two others.
This afternoon the conferees On the
legislative bill were still in disagree
ment over the assay offices.
Deadlock On Naval Bill.
A deadlock still held fast among the |
conferees on the naval bill. They hare |
not yet adjusted the difference over
battleships. Senator Tillman is sick, |
and Senator Smith Of Maryland, who /
went on the conference In his place, Is
insisting hard on two battleships.
. The appropriation bills passed ana ap-
nroved are army, fortifcations, diplo-
matte and consular. Military Academy,
and pensions Rivers and harbors has
I,ossed both houses and the conference /
,,er,orf Is agreed to.