Evening star., 1918-07-02
HOUSE FINANCES
URGENT DEMANDS
Joint Resolution Provides for
DC, Army and AgricuI-
turaI Department.
SHERLEY RAPS SENATE


expenses Of the District of Columbia.
the Army and the Department Of Agri-
culture for one month or until the
regular appropriation bills have been
passed, was made by the House today
in the adoption of joint resolution
offered by Chairman Sherley of the
appropriations committee.
The fact was emphasized that ap-
propriation bills which have been
passed but are unsigned are pensions.
post Office and legislative. The ap-
preparation bills that have not been
passed are for the Army. two agri-
cultural bills, the District of Colum-
bia and fortifications, although an
agreement has been reached on the
last-named measure, which is ex-
pected to be passed as soon as it can
be brought up in the House.
It was made clear that the continu-
ing appropriation provides for the
disposal of District garbage, but that
it does not provide for street i'm
provements.
Safeguards Taken.
Chairman SherIey stated that prop
er safeguards have been taken to
committee having had advice and as
sistance In drafting the resolution
from the controller of the Treasury.
Criticism Of the Senate for having
suddenly adjourned yesterday with
out taking action on a continuing
resolution ~ ~ fhn
prfatton measures, which was voiced
by Chairman Sherley in a speech on
the floor Of the House late yesterday,
was continued today by Representa-
tive Gillett of Massachusetts,, acting
minority leader.
Representative Gillett said it was
particularly unfortunate that the
Presidents signature had not been
affixed to the bills that went to him
last week and that the Senate ad-
journed yesterday without taking
action on joint resolution. The re-
Washington are now employed with
out warrant of law.
How Resolution Operates.
When Chairman Sherley presented
the continuing appropriation resolu-
ton Representative. johnson of Ken
lucky asked il 1t would not operate
to continue the half-and-half system
Of financing the District for one year.
Mr.. Sherley said it would not, that the
continuing appyapriation is for the
| month Of July only. and that unless
the District of Columbia appropria-
on n b q sha & e astsd H be- ap1a ssfars
| to pass another continuing resolution
until bill is passed.
5xpisins Continuing Resolution.
Chairman Sherley explained that the
continuing resolution takes care of
the necessary operation of the Army.
and for the Department of Agricul-
ture, including appropriations for
stimulation of food production hereto
fore authorized by law. and for the
District of Columbia for one month.
The, resolution provides for one
twelfth of the amount carried in the
appropriation bills last year to be
used for July, but it also provides that
where the expenditures for June, 1918.
or for July, 1917, were in excess of
this one-twelfth. the increased amount
is made available for July, 1918. He
explained that this was done to allow
latitude covering the support of the
Army and to take care of new work
authorized by law.
AS an illustration of this. he pointed
out the garbage situation in the Dis
trict, saying that allowance must be
made SO that municipal operations of
a garbage system may be undertaken,
which has already been authorized by
law. He admitted that the resolution
does not cover the new street i'm
provements specifically provided for
in the District appropriation bill. He
said that payment of salaries is to be
made at the present rate, and not un-
der the increase carried in the regular
appropriation bill. Whatever hard
ships there may be for the District
workers in this arrangement must be
suffered for a few days to prevent de-
rangement of the bookkeeping. sys-
tenn in all the government depart
ments.