Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-09-21
CHANCES OF PORK
BILL WEAKENED BY
WAR TAX PROJECT
President Wilson's Appeal
for $l00,O0O,OOO Addi-
tional Revenue a Stumbling
Block for Advocates of
Pending Measure.
[fnoM A STAFF connrsroYprNr.I

WASHINGTON, d. c., Sept. H.-Demo-
Gratis of the Senate who today renewed
their fight for the passage of the rivers
and harbors appropriation measure are
beginning to find President Wilson's APP
peal for the passage OF the emergency
revenue bill to provide 800, 100000 addi-
tional revenue for the Treasury the
strongest argument against the so-called
pork barrel" measure. Some of the ma
jority leaders are endeavorlng to convince
Senator Simmons, chairman of the Fin
ance Committee, who is the leading ad-
Vocate OF the rivers and harbors bill,
of the folly of keeping up the fight against
the compromise suggested by the Repub-
licans OF appropriating lump sum not
to exceed S20,0O0OO0.
Senators Burton, of Ohio; Kenyon, of
Iowa, and Norris, Of Nebraska, refresh
ed by a good rest over Sunday, resumed
their attack of the pork barrel' legisla-
ton today with display Of confidence.
They were reinforced by Senator Borah,
of Idaho, who arrived from the West to
join In the filibuster unless concessions
are made.
The opening speech in todays battle
was by Senator Fletcher, of Florida, in
support of the measure.
Burton today gave out statement to
the effect that the opponents of the bill
proposed to fight to the limit Two plans
for a compromise have been suggested by
the opponents Of the bill. Should neither
be accepted Senator Burton said, 1T is
intended to discuss the bill thoroughly.
item by item, and IL possible defeat the
measure as It now stands"
SIMMONS VISITS PRESIDENT.
Senator Simmons called at the White
House today.
He said later: II feel that 1 am at
liberty to say this: The President has
not given out any statement that he was
in favor of settling this matter by
lump sum appropriation, as reported Sat
urday, and he has not given out any in
timation he was unfriendly to the BILL
The conference of the Senator with the
President. 1t is believed, was not alto
gether harmonious.
The President has gone on record as
wishing the amount the measure carries
cut to between $4,000 900 and $4,000, ,OOO
1t was originally upward of $5O.OOo.oOO.
but now has been pared to $3S, 100000
Senator Simmons is understood to nave
told the President that the Senate might
see it's way clear to cutting two anc
one-half millions more off the presen.
total, but further than that, he SAID, the
Senate would not go.
1t was the feeling in most quarters that
n compromise on a bill carrying from
10000 900 to 100000 would be the out
come. Some OF the Southern Senators.
however want no compromise, and would
like to jam the bill to passage, regard
less of consequences to the party or the
country.
The engineer corps of the army has
not escaped the long debate without some
criticism. In some instances there nave
been intimations that political influence
has even reached to the engineers. This
recently led Senator Ransdell to defend
the engineer services of the army.
Ttrit of M thTJtiEhOut
country is said to have inspired the Pres
ident to seek the sharp reduction he pro-
posed It was held that the heavy sums
carried in the pork barrel measure
gere inexcusable at a time when heavy
war taxation was contemplated as
means to make. up deficits in receipts
This is the view the President Is said to
entertain, but many Congressman are
UP for reelection, and, in the language
of the street, they need the money in
their districts.
Continuous sessions will be forced on
the Senate unless some agreement can
be reached with those leading the NIL
buster on the BILL" Senator Simmons
said. The Senator declared he had con-
ferred with Senator Burton, leader OF the
filibuster, but without result
The spectacle of Senator speaking in
bath robe and slippers may be wit
messed, II Burton is brought from the sofa
in his office tonight on too short notice
TO dress Burton brought to the Capitol
today a beautiful dressing gown and easy
slippers, so that during quorum calls to-
night he may be able to snath brief maps
without being encumbered by his tight
clothing. Should a quorum, however, be
obtained speedily Burton would far rather
be embarrassed by his sartorial effect
than to lose the floor by not appearing
promptly.