Evening star., 1915-02-20
Measure Appropriates for Ex-
penses of the Several De-
partments of Government.
ITEM FOR LABOR INQUIRY
IN DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Investigation to Cover Earnings Out
side of Departments, Forecasting
Minimum Wage Law.

The Senate today passed the leSisia-
live, executive and judicial appropria-
eion bill, carrying approximately s37,-
100000
Just before the passage of the bill
the Senate adopted an amendment OF
fered by Senator Kenyon of Iowa pro-
Siding $4,000 for an investigation by
the Department of Labor into cost OF
living of wage earners outside the gov
ernment employ in the District OF Co
lumbia This investigation Is intended
by its advocates as a forerunner OF
an attempt to have enacted a minimum
wage law for the District. The Ma
tionaI Consumers League, which was
instrumental in bringing about the
enactment of the eight-hour law for
women in the District, has taken
Keen interest in the Kenyon amend
ment.
Senator Martin, chairman Of the ap-
propriations committee. said that he
would make no objection to the adop-
tion of the amendment. since there
seemed to be much sympathy with II
in the Senate, and that the matter
without opposition, therefore. the
amendment was agreed to-
Census of Agriculture Omitted.
The first item under consideration to-
day was that appropriating $2,2S6,0o0
for a census of agriculture By vote
of A to IL this was stricken out OF
the bill. 1t was bitterly criticised as an
extravagant and useless proposition by
Senator Kenyon of Iowa and others
before the vote was taken.
When the committee amendments had
been disposed of Senator Martin of
Virginia offered an amendment reduc-
ing from $500. 900 to $4,000 900 the ap-
preparation for revenue agents. gaug-
ers. etc. Senator Martin presented q
letter from the Secretary of the Treas
ury recommending the reduction. It's
effect will be to eliminate one gauge
of rectif1ed spirits, two now being
made.
An amendment was offered by Sem
aations committee, increasing from
s3o.ooo to $4,000 an item for emer-
Bency clerical services. to be expended
by the Secretary of State at his dis
cretion-
Senator Stone also sought to have
adopted an amendment for $4,000 to
allow the State Department to lease
building near 1t for a period Of hve
years at an annual hental Of $4,000
Senator Martin made a point Of order
against this amendment and Senator
Stone withdrew 1t.
Effort to Preserve Maltby Building.
An attempt was made by Senator
Shafroth of Colorado to have a provi-
sion inserted in the bill which would
preserve from destruction the Malby
building. which has been used as an
annex of the Capitol and which is
doomed to be torn down under the law
providing for the extension of the Cap
ttol grounds to the Union station. He
contended that the building should be
continued in use by the government
A point of order by Senator Martin
against the Shafroth amendment was
sustained
Fund for Panama Canal Opening.
During the consideration Of the legis-
iative bill in the Senate yesterday aft
ernoon u committee amendment appro-
priating s1oo.oOO to be used by the
President in connection with the FORM
al opening of the Panama canal was
adopted by the Senate after a sharp
debate Senator Fall sought to estab-
lish the basis on which the estimate OF
expenditures had been made. Senator
Martin. chairman of the appropriations
committee. said a conference of demo-
cratic and republican leaders called by
the President had agreed to ask for
s25o.ooo to defray rhe expenses of the
fCSiucut ana MS party, which was tC
include foreign diplomats and 200 OF
300 members of Congress
Sum Reduced by Committee.
The committee. upon being advised
Of some criticism of this last provision
however. had reduced the appropria-
fion $4,000 leaving 1t to the Presiden,
to invite whom he would
Senator Martin said he understood
the President proposed to invite former
Presidents Roosevelt and Taft and g
email committee from Congress 10
make the trip to San Francisco with
him
Senator Kenyon proposed an amend
tnent providing that none OF the none,
be expended to pay the expenses @,
members Of Congress on the trip, but /,
was laid on the table by vote of 3: