The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-02-08
BANKRUPT TREASURY
PREDICTED BY PAYNE
New York Representative Calls
ShacklefOrd Good Roads
Bill Petty Politics.
A JOB HOLDING MEASURE
Says S25,OOO,0OO Isn't Enough
and That New York Highway
Grsfters Got S6,OOO,0O0.
A JOB HOLDING MEASURE

wAsHINGToE. Feb. 7.-Representative
Serene Il. Payne made the charge in the
House to-day that the state OF New York
has lost about $1,000, 900 or s6,00o,Oo0 in
the last three years through graft col
lected 10y persons-whom ne did not name
Incidental to the improvement of roads
IN the State.
Mr. Payne was attacking the Shackle-
ford bill. which provides an appropriation
o. 10000 to be expended on roads In
the various States according to the popu-
tston.
The New York Representative said he
ga not care TO characterize the Shackle-
ford bill as graft" because that would be
reflection on the House." He added
shst It was preposterous for Congress to
entertain seriously the thought OF appro-
pr,ating s2S,ooo.ooo for roads, because.
aooording to Mr. Payne, the Treasury Is
fscing bankruptcy"
Mr.. Payne predicted that the Treasury
would report a deficit nj the end of the
year. lie deprecated the tendency OF
members to get appropriations for rivers
and harbors, for free seeds and other
forms Of graft merely for the purpose OF
making q hit with tho people IN their
histricta
some members WINGED as Mr.. Payne
remarked that many Representatives were
Hanging on TO their Jobs by their gills
snd were willing TO join IN any raid on
Tho Treasury that would insure their
tenure OF public Office.
Would DO Little Good.
llr. Payne told tho House tina, New
York had expended Sl25, 100000 In i'm
provement OF State. county and city roads.
but that the work was far from COM
p.eted. He said the Shackleford bill APP
propriat!ng misery s25 100000 would
Go little good In the various States, al
taough II might make votes for some in
..rested members.
81 am in favor OF good roads, but
do not think this bill will do anything
toward the accomplishment OF that end.
It appropriates $4,000, 600 out Of money
that is ns. In sight.
I'VE haf IA deficit In the revenues last
month OF Si2.000.0oO. and the deficit is
likely TO DE great deal more than that
y, the end Of the year. Even II we had
money l think 1t would be throwing It
away 10 deal 1t out under this bill"
Mr.. Payne then took up the question
OK road building In New York.
1T is true that In the last three years"
he said. there has been some graft In
20 5000, ooo or ss,0o0.oO0. 1t is a small
percentage OF the si25.o00,000 We have
expended. A good deal OF this sum has
been spent 10 good account"
Mr.. Payne said In New York II cost
anywhere from $4,000 to $4,000 n mile
70 build n good road. whereas the shacl;l--
ford bill limited the expenditure TO some
thing like $50 a mile.
y understand this bin is designed 20
create interest in good roads whore there
u no interest IN the subject" he added
members are always willing 60 do some
thing at the expense OF the national Gov
eminent. Good roads advocates ask for
their share because II is argued we are
spending money to improve rivers and
harbors.
We'll. you are spending very little on
rivers and harbors IN New York State.
H you will transfer the Jurisdiction over
rivers and harbors to US we will improve
tnem ourselves and save money by IT,"
hr. Payne attacked the method OF allot-
eng river ana narbor appropriations by
CorS ress districts.
Politics in the Bin.
That sort OF legislation Is the vice Of
This good ROADS bill," ne said Gentle
men think because they get few paltry
dollars FOR their district 1, Is going to
help somebody In the next exelction.
There are 50 many people IN Congress
sust hanging on BY their gills that II IL
no use 10 argue against bill like this.
II Is breath wasted. Il Is time spent IN
vein. know how you will vote. l Will
no; say that I am casting my pearls be-
cause that would be & reflection on the
Public or upon some Individual.
You have spread out the approprla-
lions IN this bill so that the design Of II
n apparent 10 every man In your district.
When they See you are putting into roads
eco p nile they will say, How many votes
are you going TO get on that mile OF road
with thar soJ?'
Il do not like graft. I do not Ike 20
accuse anybody Of graft This Is not
graft. ! know how people sre led into It.
They want 10 come back mere and they
want to 90 things that are popular.
1--WE have never been able To break up
ti.s appropriation for free seeds because
gentlemen thought IL helped 10 elect them,
have always voted against it and told
ny people that hoped there was not a
voter In the district Who could be bought
With ten cents worth OF Seeds They said
vas right,
MY people don't like this petty bust
ness II We are going TO build roads let
US Guild roads. II We In New York spent
sl25.00O000 ard have not yet got good
ROADS and are only fairly started. how
many billions are you going 10 spend In
the United States? Face the music. Face
tie proposition squarely and do not begin
with a s25.UO0,000 appropriation from a
49,. ~