The Washington herald., 1915-12-09
Tenn ''Pork Banel'' Resented
By Harbors' Congress Speaker
James H. Davidson Of Wisconsin Says Critics Of Rivers Bills
Are 'Hot-Air Artists" Committee Has
Resorted to Log Rolling or Favoritism

Critics OF the river and harbor bills ap-
propriated through the national Houses
were denounced in scathing terms yes
! terday by speakers in the morning and
, afternoon sessions Of the National Rivers
and HaTbors Congress-.
The term .'pork-barrel appropriations
as applied to such expenditures brought
forth a strong denunciation from James
II. Davidson. Of Oshkosh, Wis, who talk
ed himself hoarse and termed the critics
'hot-air artists His defense of the
river and harbor bills was punctuated
with frequent applause. and his talk
throughout was characterized by strong
feeling. He took exception to Representa-
tive Benefits assertion In a speech made
earlier in the afternoon that he hoped for
greater things from the committee and
more appropriations for New York with
two members on the committee.
IF Representative Bennett knew what
j know. he would find that New York has
the same chance Of getting appropriations
with not a member of the committee from
his state" said Mr.. Davidson. Mr.. David
son said there never had been any IA
vor!tism. either party or personal. in
recommending appropriations. that such
a thing as log Trolling was unknown to the
committee.
Il defy any person or the press to point
out a single act that can be interpreted
as a lobby he said. mo one knew
who our delegates were to be until they
were elected and sent to the convention.
Our books are open to investigation.
What is there in the association to tusti-
fy being called q menace to the count
try
waterways and Defense.
Mr.. Davidson said that every item
added to the roll of appropriations was
not indorsed by the committee until II
had been favorably reported on by the
engineers Of the army.
IF the program Of defense does not in
clude the improvement of waterways II
is a very short-sighted policy" he de-
clared. 'T should like to have the MAX
ing OF this rivers and harbors bill. and
II l did I would stay on the floor OF
Congress until my dry bones turned to
dust before / would accept a lump sum-"
An urgent plea for adequate appropria-
tions by Congress for carrying out the
project OF a thirty -fve-foot channel in
the East River was made by Represen-
tative VIM. s. Bennett. Of New York
Edward F. McSweeney. chairman OF
the directors OF the Port of Boston. spoke
before the congress on THE Obstacles
to Waterway and Port Development and
Their Vital Interest to the Manufacturer
and Wage Garner"
Mr.. McSweeney said the lack of a
United States merchant marine was due
to the fact that ever since the Civil
War We did not think one was worth
while. He declared that nothing could
be of greater Importance to the country
than a merchant marine and the con-
troll Of port facilities.
Representative William D. Stephens.
Of Los Angeles. spoke on the Los An
geles Harbor and the West" He called
attention to the fact that the improve
ment of rivers and harbors along the
Pacific Coast as well as the betterment
Of those in other ports Of the country
would be an important step in a better
national defense.
Lectures Delivered.
Following the talk of Mr.. McSweeney.
Martin Behrman. mayor of New Orleans.
spoke on THE Port of New Orleans !