The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-05-22
Taking Up Of Porto Rico Bill
Causes Temporary Halt in
Plans.
TO REACH MEASURE TODAY
Rules Committee Is Ready With
Special Dispensation for
Legislative "Riders."

In the hope of getting the Porto
Rican bill out of the way during the
afternoon, the House leaders uneX-
pectedly switched plans when that
body met today. and laid aside for u
few hours the District OF Columbia
appropriation bill, which had the
right of way according TO plans
previously made,
Congressman Robert N. Page who
wfll have charge Of the District bill,
said the local budget probably would
be taken up late. The special rule
making in order the legislative pro-
Visions CT the bill is ready for re.
port from the Rules Conmittee, and
Acting Chairman Pou was on hand
with the rule In his pocket when the
House convened today.
II believe We can finish the Porto
Rican bill by midafternoon," said Con-
aressman Page. "and the District bill
will he called I'D Immediately. Until
the minute the House met today 1t was
planned to take up the district budget
ahead of everything. but there was a
desire on the part OF some members to
get rid OF the Porto Rican measure.
and we gave way for few hours"
The Porto Rico Bill.
The Porto Rican bill. which grants
the people OF the island o more autono-
nous form OF government. hasbeen
debated at odd times in the House for
several weeks. II has been laid aside
on various occasions because or more
pressing measures, but Chairman Jones.
OF the Insulari Affairs COMMITTEES. and
Congressman Garrett. a member OF the
committee. believe that Il can be finally
. disposed of within q few hourE.
Teh District OF Columbia appropria-
appropriation bills on the calendar.
This was made certain whe nthe Rules
Committee agreed 20 report RUE maxi
Ing. In order the several legislative
Appropriations Committee last week.
Rule For "Riders."
Among the riders made In order by
the rule. which was agreed upon late
Saturday, Is that virtually repeating
the lf.and-half principle In the or
ganic act Of ISIS As written by the
House Appropriations Committee. the
District bill requires that all District
revenues shall be used to supp /, IN.
municipality and the Federal Govern
ment shall contribute whatever balance
n ms IN ss n ne aeot
utilized next year and the Federal Gov
ernment's contribution will be slightly
more than SJ,0ct, G01-the percentage ratiu
eral Treasury's contribution being due
to the fact that the District bill omits
many, stems for civic bettermeats and
It's total Is low.
It Is expected. however. that the half,
and-half repeal rider will go through
the House. The Senate is depended
upon by friends OF the District to sc,
that this principle Is not abolished with
out giving the District something In III
place. 1t is felt that II the half-and
the contribution OF the Federal Govern
ment ought to be more than 30 per cent
and the Senate. by including a number
Of things asked for by the Distric
Commissioners, may make the total o,
the bill so large that there will he NOR,
equity In the contributions from tn,
District and Federal treasures.
II Is probable that most of the weel
will be consumed In debating the Dis
trict bill The naval appropriation bill
will be brought In Wednesday. and It Il
planned that this national defense bud
get shall take right-of-way as soon al
the District measure is sent to the Sen
ate.
Progress Made Last Week.
House leaders feel that materia
progress toward an early adjournmen
was made In the lower chamber las
week. The flibuster in the Senate
against the river and harbor bill
however. makes II impossible to fore
cast what shape that body will be Il
n month hence.
During the past week the Hous
adopted the conference report on tn
army reorganization bill. passed tn
Administrators shipping bill. passe,
the floor control bill and disposed o
some minor measures on its calendar
In addition. Democrats of the Way
and Means Committee began work Of
the revenue bill and the Naval AFFAIR
Committee agreed on the naval bud
get. The big pensions appropriation
bill was reported from the Appropria
tions Committee, and the sundry civ
budget one OF the most important q
all the supply bills. was likewise re
eorted and made ready for debate.
Much Depends On Senate.
Time of adjournment. however. de
ponds largely upon the Senate, wher
there is no curtailment OF debat
and where the river and harbor BIZ
nlibuster IL likely to be followed b.
hlibuster on the shipping bill.
Democrats of the Ways and Mean