The Washington times., 1917-04-15
VAST WAR BUDGET
GOES TO SENATE
Seven BiIIion-DoIlar Bond Bill
Passed by House Practical
ly Unchanged.

Supported by a unanimous vote in
the House, the Administration seven
billion-dollar bond issue bill, the
greatest war budget ever carried in
single measure, will go to the Senate
tomorrow.
The bill, designed to make avail
able Immediately funds for prosecu-
tion of the war with Germany ana a
loan of $4,000, 100000 to our allies,
passed the House late yesterday by
vote of 3S9 to o.
CONGRESSMAN Meyer London, New
York Socialist, who is opposed to war
and all legislation appertaining there
to, was recorded as present" on the
roll call.
Debate on the bond bill, the largest
financial measure ever presented TO
legislative body in the history OF the
world, was concluded in the House
shortly after o'clock.
Amendments Knocked Out.
Various amendments offered during
the debate were so promptly rejected
that it was evident the House was
overwhelmingly in favor Of expedi-
tious passage OF the bill. IN order'
however, that the world might know
the unanimity OF the House, a roll
call was demanded on final passage,
and not a member voted In the mega
tive.
Committee amendments perfecung
the language of the bill were adopted,
but there were no fundamental
changes. Two somewhat important
amendments, first suggested by Con-
Rressmen Mondell and Lenroot, were
accepted by the Democrats in charge
OF the bill
They provide that the big loan to
our allies shall be made during ana
not after the war, and that the loan
must be made to a country then en-
gagged in fighting Germany. The pow
er of the President and Secretary NC
Adoo to negotiate the loan was un-
restricted.
Would Control Finances.
But three votes were cast for the
Towner amendment 10 make the orig
inaI bond issue only two billion dol
lars Mr.. Towner contended the
pending bill gave too much power to
the President and the Secretary OF
the Treasury. Congressman La Fol
lette of Washington, Huddleston OF
Alamaba, and Keating of Colorado
supported the smaller issue, MI
Towner himself not voting.
Mr.. Towner said the three billion
dollar loan should be provided in an
other bill, which should state spe-
ciacaIIy the foreign securities to be
accepted
Congressmen Sloan of Nebraska
and Green of Iowa each offered an
amendment to appoint a joint com
mittee of the Senate and House TO
cooperate with the President and
Secretary McAdoo in making the
loan These amendments received
less than a score of votes.
An amendment by Congressman ].
Hampton Moore OF Pennsylvania, to
fix the maturity of the bonds sold
by Nthis Government at either thirty
or fifty years was likewise badly
beaten. The House showed no dis
position to change the language OF
the bill permitting the Secretary OF
the Treasury to determine the denom-
tnation, maturity, and general terms
and conditions of the obligations TO
be issued by the Government
To Fix Denomination.
CONGRESSMAN Howard of Georgia
offered an amendment to provide that
some of the bonds should be as low
in denomination as $25. This amend
ment failed, too.
Mr.. Towner's contention was that
entirely too much discretion, "a su-
preme power, in fact" was placed In
the hands of the Secretary of the
Treasury and the President under
the bill as reported.
When members suggested that the
government or governments receiving
the loan might not be able to repay
II, II was disclosed that tome of the
tn-ntt1d he willing IN donate
funds to the allies, provided this
would aid in terminating the war.
81 don't care IL they don't pay it
back" sharply retorted Congressman
Madden of Illinois. America has enf
tered this war to win and to maintain
American rights. If we can maintain
those rights by furnishing money to
some one to fight our battles for us
while we are getting ready, 1t seems
to us we ought to do it. 1t will be a
year before we can send anybody to
the trenches. I am ready to pay my
share If this money is never repaid"
Congressman Fitzgerald, chairman
OF the Appropriations Committee, said
he "had no sympathy for the sugges
tion we may not get our money back.
1 would be glad to vote to give the
allies six billion dollars If it would
end the war. If by giving them
money we can save the sacrifice OF
American lives, 1 do not care about
the repayment"
Money Available Weapon.
Mr.. Mann, the Republican floor lead
er, said the United States at this mo-
ment is prepared only to aid by fur
nishing money TO those fighting the
enemy of this Government
at is proposed We loan three bill
lions to the allies" he said, "and !
doubt not that in a year the sum will
be doubled. But il we can end the
war in that way it will be Justified.
Our highest duty is to give aid to
those ighting the enemy against
whom we have declared war. 1 only