The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-07-16
Republican Leaders
Wrangle Over Bill

washin -ton. july 15.--An attempt
by Republican leaders in the house
to dodge he issue on President Will
sons veto OF the sund-y civil bill pre-
cipitated a Wild all-day wran9le to.
DAY. The opposition, led by Repre-
sentative Madden, of Illinois, mem
Der Ut the Republican steering conn
mittec, maneuvercd tho majority lead
ers into such an unfavora Bile position
that they forced an adjournment at
1880 without taking final action.
The prolonged debate was waged
along purely political lines and waxed
bitter at times. Champ Clark, the
Democratic leader. charged the Re-
publicans with attempting to reduce
their party to IA concentrated growf'
directed towards President Wilson,
and declared Majority Leader Mon
dell lis getting 70 be the greatest
GROWER on the American continent.
bar none"
OF using poison gas and attempting
to hide their operations behind a
smoke screen.
The pyrotechnics started when the
rules committee brought in d special
rule making in order the amended
sundry civil bill instead of putting
the Presidents veto to a vote.
The Presidents veto isapproval of
the bill was based on the failure OF
congress 20 appropriate the amount
OF money necessary TO carry on the
work for the rehabilitation Of dis
abled soldiers. The appropriation
carried was $1,000 0n. Just half what
had been asked. and limitations on
salaries and other restrictions met
with executive objections.
The bill as amended by the appro-
priafions committee increased the APP
preparation to Sla.6oo.DG0 and e1inn-
mated the limitations on the salaries
of mem bers of the federal board for
vocational education. Thus amend
ed. the bill was brought in as a neu
measure. which prevented a vote on
the question of overriding the veto.
The Democrats charged the Be
publicans with having two purposes In
view.
l. They did not want to take q
chance on failing to override the
veto, which would have given the
president his second victory over con-
gress In a week.
:. They did not want to vote to
override the veto because such q
course would have put them in the at
titude of opposing adequate funds for
the care of the men who have lost
defense Of their country.
In the heat Of debate Chairman
Good. Of the appropriations commit
tee declined to yield TO Mr.. Madden
for question. Immediately the ILL.,
nois representative launched a fflibus-
ter. He forced full reading or the
bill. which covers 2a5 pages and Of
fered amendment after amendment to
increase the appropriation.
81 ~ a..
the amendments. but failed to put any
OF them through in fac. OF the Re.
publican majority.
When consideration OF the bill was
completed In committee OF the whole
and reported out to the house for Ana
passage, Representative Buchanan
Democrat. Of Texas, moved that the
bill be re-committed TO the Arpro.
priation committee with instructions
TO add $4,000. 900 to the appropria,
tion.
Mr.. Good offered an amendment Il
this motion reducing the increase Il
$500. 900. Republican leaders instant
~ realized that this was greai
parliamentary nnistAke and put tht
majority In the position Of seeking Il
reduce the appropriation.
Mr.. Good Attem 3ted 10 withdraw hi,
motion, but he had already moved thu
previous question and = roll call hat
/, been ordered. The Democrats blocked
j his effort to withdraw his motion and
prevented reconsideration OF tn
vote ordering q roll call.
/ To gain time In which 70 d6vtae I
plan under which the majority part,
may escape from IL untSv0rahle pest
ftjon, M. 0ooA Movo4 t&1< ~ hcEnl
!, 1our1 m eax teslt,
M I'M !sss