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 $l00,000,000 Addi-
tional Revenue a Stumbling
Block for Advocates of
Pending Measure.
ttRoM A STAFF COMMENCEMENT. /


WASHINGTON, d. c.. Sept. 2l.-Demo-
Gratis of the Senate who today renewed
thelr nght 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 s1O0, 100000 addi-
t1onal revenue for the lETreasury the
strongest argument against the so-called
pork barrel" measure. Some of the ma
Jority leaders are endeavoring 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-
1cans OF appropriating a lump sum not
to exceed s20,000.000.
Senators Burton, OF Ohio; Kenyon, of
Iowa, and Norris, of Nebras ska, refresh
ed by good rest over Sunday, resumed
their attack Of the pork barrel legisla-
ton today with q display of confidence.
They were reinforced by Senator Borah,
of Idaho, who arrived from the West to
join In the flibuster unless concessions
are made.
The opening speech in today's battle
was by Senator Fletcher, of Florida, in
support of the measure.
burton today gave out a statement to
the effect that the opponents Of the bill
proposed to fight to the limit Two plans
the opponents of the bill. Should neither
be accepted, Senator Burton said, at 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: "I feel that I am at
liberty to say this; The President has
not given out any statement that he was
in favor of settling this matter by a
lump sum appropriation, as reported Sat
urday, and he has not given out any in
he was unfriendly to the BILL"
The. conference OF the Senator with the
President, it is believed, was not alto
gether harmonious
The President has gone on record as
wishing the amount the measure carries
cut to between $l2,000OO0 and $4,000 900.
1t was originally upward of $50.000,00O.
but now has been pared to $3S, 900 5000.
Senator Simmons Is understood to have
told the President that the Senate might
one-half millions more off the presen-
total. but further than that, he said, the
Senate would not 60
1t was the feeling in most quarters that
4 compromise on a bill carrying from
'2O, 100000 to $25,O0O.OOO would be the out
come. Some of the Southern Senators.
however, want no compromise. and would
Ike to jam the bill to passage. regard
ess of consequences to the party or the
The engineer corps Of the army has
rot escaped the long debate without some
In some instances there have
been intlmations that political influence
las even reached to the engineers. This
ecently led Senator Ransdel to defend
ha npiNN nrNyip nf hN
Criticism of the measure throughout the
country is said to have inspired the Pres
dent to seek the sharp reduction he pro-
,osed. 1t was held that the heavy sums
arried In the pork barrel measure
'ere inexcusable at time when heavy
var taxation was contemplated as a
means to make up deficits in receipts. |
This is the view the President Is said to |
but many Congressman are |
p for reelection, and, in the language |
# the street, they need the money in |
heir districts.
Continuous sessions will he forced on |
he Senate unless some agreement can |
q reached with those leading the fill
ulster on the BILL" Senator Simmons
aid. The Senator declared he had con-
erred with Senator Burton leader of the
lIbuster. but without result
The spectacle OF a Senator speaking in
ath robe and slippers may be wit
cssed, If Burton is brought from the sofa
n his office tonight on too short notice
D dress. Burton brought to the Capitol
Oday a beautiful dressing gown and easy
lippers, so that during quorum calls to-
light he may be able to snath brief maps
'ithout being encumbered by his tight
othinG, Should a quorum, however be
btained speedily Burton would far rather
g embarrassed by his sartorial effect
nan to lose the floor by not appearing
romptly.