The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1916-12-23
VETO OF ITEMS N
APPROPRIATIONS
Under Constitution President
Cannot DO II.
AMENDMENT IS NECESSARY
Desire Has Often Been Expressed to
Permit President to Cut Items From
Appropriation Bills as Step In Econ
omy-Former War Secretary Dickin-
son For Universal Training.
BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.

WV SfHNuf tFdttitN0s
BY ARTHUR W.. DUNN.
Washington, Dec. 22.-[Special. l.
From the time men began to talk
about extravaganza In government ex-
%penditures there has been discussion
of the proposition to allow the presi-
dent to veto items in appropriation
bills. Without regard to the fact that
the only way this can be accomplish
ed Is by a constitutional amendment,
Its advocates go boldly and gayly for
ward, as If all that was necessary was
to get a sufficient number OF indorse-
ments from various organizations and
the end would be accomplished.
In the first place, the proposed
amendment would have to go through
each house of congress by a two
thirds vote, and such a proposition :
could not get a %corporal's guard I'm eli
Their body. The items In appropria-
ton bills are the dearest things to con
gressmen In their careers. 1t IL by
such items" relating to their own To-
cal communities, that they accomplish
what their people want. They would
not sacrifice their right TO secure such
Items" for 1t Is the only way Ihey
can get what they want.
Other Economy Suggestions.
Another suggestion along this same
line Is the budget system, into which
there will be a general Jumping of all
appropriations. Nearly forty years ago
for political purposes the budget sys-
tenn was destroyed by distributing the
appropriation bills among various com
mittees. That can't be changed. The
tendency is to spread rather than cur
tall the control OF these appropriation
bills.
Jumping n lot of things together Is
another method of congressman TO get
what they want. That Is what they
do with river and harbor %appropria-
lions, public building bills and claim
bills. The good is made to carry the
bad. Good bills could not pass alone,
for the logrolling methods have been
found profitable for the fellow with
small items, which would never get a
hearing unless they were put in ON.
nibus bills.
Do Not Want Economy.
The people do not want economy.
The Democratic party came into pow
err after the denunciation of the Re
publicans for extravaganza, and the
six years OF Democratic control of the
house, with a strenuous economist at
the head of the appropriations com
mittee, have seen the greatest extrav-
asance ever known. Said the econo
mist chairman, Fitzgerald, recently:
THE people do not want economy.
Whitman's administration has been
the most ~extravagant ever known, and
he was reelected In New York by 100.
600 majority. If / were In the opposi-
ton In this house l could make the
greatest speech ever heard on waste
fulness and extravaganza"
War Secretaries Opinions.
Most of the former secretaries of
war who have expressed opinions are
for universal military training. One OF
the latest to take this position is Jacob
M. Dickinson, a Democrat, who was In
Taft's cabinet. I'VE must have militia
universal training" he said recently,
unless we confess ourselves at the
mercy Of other nations"
G~aIIinger's Warning.
During the discussion of the immi-
grafton bill In the senate there were
many and often prolonged references
to Japan and her people. Once the
senate doors We're closed because the
discussion was trend,ng on grounds
which might be offensi, e. AT one time
Senator Gallinger warned the senate
against this kind of talk. Japan has
control OF the Pacific ocean, he said.
by u own foolish legislation we
have given her that control. She has
a powerful navy and can keep control
IN war as she now has I'm ommerce
We are on friendly terms with Japan
and ought to continue them, and 1t Is
not we'll to be constantly discussing
these questions and raising suspicious"
Not q Lone Orphan.
The Alaska fisheries bill came up I'm
the house, and 1t was shown that the
great territory of the far northwest is
not a lone orphan. Most Of the lead
ers In the house took a hand In the
discussion. Chairman Alexander OF
Missouri and Delegate Wickersham
were of course prominent, as well as
the men from the Pacific coast states.
But, In addition, there were Bennett of
New York, Moore OF Pennsylvania.
Saunders and Montague Of Virginia.
Cooper Of Wisconsin, Hardy of Texas,
Fess OF Ohio, Sisson OF Mississippi.
Iinthicum OF Maryland and. of course.
Mann Of Illinois.
Murray's Offer.
While discussing clerks salaries and
the possibility that they couAd not be
obtained for $125 per month, Murray
Of Oklahoma interrupted to remark: