The Washington times., 1918-03-06

were being discussed, Senator Hol-
lis intervened from the Banking
Committee to say that the discus
sion was taking a much wider range
than had been authorized or per-
mitted by the eminent authority
who was directing Senate commit
tees. As this authoritative direc-
tion included the Senate Finance
Committee, which had reported the
bill, he warranted that committee
as well trained, and expert in obey
ing orders. This was hotly resented
by Chairman Simmons and other
members of the committee. Their
resentment continued to express
itself up to the moment of adjourn
ment. So the issue of big stick in
the background" with the blacklist
to record its results of persuasion
went over.
The House debated the legislative,
executive and judicial appropria-
ton bill all day. The feature Of
the debate was the determined
stand made by Mr.. Walsh of Mas
sachusetts, for economy in the ad-
ministration of the House and
House office building barbershops.
With appropriations mounting
steadily by the hundred mil
lions in a twelve billion dollar
Congress, he thought it was time
to make patriotic sacrifices-espe-
cially as Congressman have to pay
for their shaves, exactly as if the
BARRIERS were not carried on the pay
rolls as assistants in the cloak room
and by other titles. But the BARRIERS
won. Various amendments were
agreed to in less vital connections.
In the Senate at the same time, with
the agricultural appropriation bill
under consideration, the debate was
equally earnest over the propositions
to strike out the appropriation for
garden and flower seed to be distrib-
uted by Members of Congress. The
garden seed appropriation stays in
the bill. Senator Smoot was con-
vincing in his arguments for the |
need of flower culture as a civiliz-
ing influence. Senator Wadsworth |
made a determined stand for cab
bage. Both won.
Under a bill credited to Senator
johnson of South Dakota, it is pro-
posed to furlough employees of Con-
gress and all departments to assist \
in planting and harvesting crops to
win the war. On application, they
will be granted furloughs, the time
tl.ey are absent to be deducted from |
their vacations. They are expected
to show great enthusiasm for Senaa-
tor Johnson-unless thew find some
or has made an unauthorized use of
MS name for their benefit
As Democratic whip, Senator
Lewis explained to the Senate that
the Administration was not concern
ed in anv way in the reported in
Tasion Of Russian territory by
Japan. japan was acting under its
compact or treaty with Great Britain,
for which our Administration was in
no way responsible. In reply to
questions, Senator Lewis said he was
giving his own views and not max
ing an authorized statement.
Commissioner Tallman, Of the
General Land Office, appeared be-
fore the House Committee on Pub
ic Lands, where he was questioned
1t length on a disagreement between
The Departments Of Justice and the
Interior. Il concerned California
md Wyoming oil. He filed a series
If official letters, full Of facts val
liable for future reference. The view
If the Land Office is that Califor-
lia oilmen are legally innocent un-
il they are legally convicted. Chair
nan Ferris did not seem convinced
hat oil men are habitually inno-
,ent, legally or otherwise.