Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-09-06
Powerful Interests Antago-
nized by Blocking "Pork
Barrel" Appropriations.
NO COMPROMISE DUE 49,
ON ISSUE INVOLVED
Will Be Made Prominent Feature Of
Approaching Presidential
Campaign.

Former Senator Theodore E. Burton
of Ohio, who Is being urged by polit-
ical friends for the republican nomina-
ton for President, Is facing severe OPP
position on account of his pork bar
rel'' antagonism. defying powerful in
terests by practically blocking appro-
priations for extensive river and har-
Dor improvements.
Burton's supporters are to make no
compromise on this issue. That they
propose to make it the outstanding
feature of their campaign is indicated
by a statement given out by the Bur-
ton publicity bureau. This points out
that an amendment to the last river
and harbor appropriation bill may
make impossible all future federal I'M
provement of inland rivers on a large
scale" This barrier may be called a
legacy left to Congress by Senator Bur-
Engineer Army Corps to make re-ex-
aminations of the ten leading water
way improvement projects.
Two Examinations Completed.
Two, of these determinations have
been completed. The corps of engi-
neers as a result have recommended
the absolute discrimination of the Mis-
souri, river project on which a total Of
approximately $10,000.000 of govern
ment money has been expended. 1t has
been recommended also that the Ar
kansas river project be abandoned.
sack OF these projects and the eight
others that stand in danger of adverse
recommendations are some Of the
strongest political influences in the
country. Regardless Of this fact, Sena-
tor Burton's friends are seeking for
him the full credit for having made the
recommendations possible.
Other Influences Defled.
The Burton amendment also contain
ed the further direction to the enei-
neers to examine any other projects
heretofore authorized, but which on ex-
animation might show that further ap-
preparations are inadvisable
As the result of this many smaller
streams. the pet projects of senators
ana representatives. may fail of engi-
neer Endorsement. The report on the
MISSOURI river recommends the cessa-
Ton TO- OF the annual appropriation of So
oVo'ooo a year and gives small ap-
preparation for removing snags.
nnad .he project can never improve
navigation, for there is no important
navigation on the Missouri river. The
ten projects which Senator Burton'a
amendment required to be examined by
the engineers called for an ultimate ex-
T.
Voo,ooO mas been expended on them.
Activity Of Opposition.
The determination to inject the r;ver
and harbor pork barrer' feature into
the preliminary presidential contest
has brought activity from opposition
sources. Last week some of the bi1
newspapers of the middle west pub
toms record in Congress during the ten
years OF his Craftsmanship of the House
rivers and harbors committee. It was
enoeavored to show by this record that
state Of Ohio and his home civ nS
cleveland In making I'D the itema ~
the successive bills which were renort-
ed from his committee.
Complete Change Of 1ne-Up.
The statement issued in Mr.. Burton,
behalf declares that the oyerturn ~
the situation is so complete that ~
promises to reverse the order NJ bs+-
tie in the next Congress. ONLY 1a.,
winter MI Burton. while not accus,n1
the army engineers of being "pork h,r'
rea sraobers. declared that they had
preston that public opinion dem.ndnd
Improvement of almost any stresrn
inen the statement continues:
NOW that this attitude of the gov
esnment engineers has apparently
WAN .ainse a. the Indications are that the
Inain hgnt OF the pork barrel adyo-
Gates next year will be directed
against the Corps Of Engineers to take
he control OF rivers away from il.
IN the Indignation meeting held in
Kansas City last week as nrot..,
against the condemnation Of the MI
souri, river, Senator Reed of Missouri
IN merry speech. declared that hs
would lead the fight in the coming SEES
sion 70 remove the control of river i'm
engineers and to put it in the hands Of
practical business men, Eighfsen
mem oers of the House attended tbi.
meeting and pledged themselves To
In.ttns Heeds night, several Of them