Evening star., 1915-02-13
Representative Parker Be-
Iieves There Is Authority for
u. S. Aid for Howard.
ITEMS IN SUNDRY CIVIL
BILL KILLED BY SISSON
Mississippian Contends Appropria-
tions for Institution, Totaling
$101, 900, Would Be Unlawful.


from the sundry civil bill by points of
order made late yesterday by Repre-
sentative Sisson of Mississippi. Repre-
sentative Parker of New Jersey today
announced to the House that he be-
lieved he had found authority in the
statutes for federal contributions to
the institution. Representative Parkers
announcement may lead the House to
place the items totaling $101.o00 back
in the bill before it goes to the Senate.
Representative Sisson has declared.
however, that he is aware of every
paragraph in every act relating to
Howard University, and that there Is
no statute authorizing any federal ap-
proprtations to that institution. Rep
resentative Parker itends to ask unan-
imous consent to return the Howard
University items to the bill, but IL
Representative Sisson is on the floor
this consent probably will not be
granted.
Items Stricken Out Yesterday.
The items of government support for
Howard University were knocked out
of the bill late yesterday afternoon by
points Of order raised by Representa-
tive Sisson of Mississippi and sus-
tanned by the chairman of the COM
mittee of the whole. Representative
Crisp of Georgia, on the ground that
none of the appropriations is author
lied by law. The items are $65. 900 for
maintenance, $4,000 for the department
of manual arts, $500 for fixtures; $1O.-
900 for repairs, etc. 81, 900 for the medical
department.; $4,000 for the laboratories
OF the rev science ball. $500 for fuel
lUht-fn a
Representative Sisson in defending his
point of order said he did not believe the
appropriation ought to be made "even II
it were for a white school," He reiter-
ated the argument he made against ap-
preparations on the previous day for Gar
field and Providence hospitals, saying:
Il think the government should not
appropriate any money to private or
sectarian institutions Another reason
why this appropriation should not be
made is that theology is taught at
Howard University. 1 do not believe
that the federal government or any
state should spend one single penny in
support of any school Of theology Of
any kind or character"
Mr.. Fitzgerald Replies.
Representative Fitzgerald, in charge
Of the bill, called attention to the fact
that for thirty years Congress has been
u
University. and that without govern
ment aid the institution cannot con-
tinue. He was unable to cite any spe-
cific act authorizing these appropria-
tions, and Chairman Crisp, citing rul-j
ings of the House, declared he would
have to sustain Representative Sisson's
points.
Other members of the House. how
ever. endeavored to persuade the Mis-
sissfppian to withdraw his point of
tive Sherley Of Kentucky. He called
attention to the fact that Howard Uni
versity is the only institution of its
kind in the country and that to with
draw federal support would be to Grip
pie seriously the negro race.
II do not believe" he said. that
it would reflect in any sense the judg-
ment of the white people of the south"
Representative Mondell of Wyoming
reminded Representative Sisson that it
years ago, that made the first appro-
priation for Howard University
The institution is doing a splendid
work on very small outlay" he said,
"and 1 do not think the gentleman
from Mississippi wants to rut himself
or the democratic party in the posi-
tion of declining these appropriations.
l cannot believe he wants to desert
people of this country to a higher and
broader education"
Protest by Mr.. Gillett.
Representative Gillett of Massachu-
setts also protested against the exer-
else Of the point of order against the
for Howard University
and pointed out that there are other
instances in the sundry civil bill of
items approved without specific au-
thority by previous law.
ITO pick out this one line of appro-
priation." he said. and make a point
of order against it will. it seems to me.
be taken as indicating a disposition
and a temper toward the negro race
of which there have been manifesto
tions already in this administration
which have excited much adverse COM
ment in the country, which have not
tended to harmonfze the different sec
tions. and which, it seems to me. the