The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-01-21
RELIEF ACT
WILL Be PASSED.
MANY HIT HOOVER
PenrOSe Becomes Paragon Of
Virtue While BOTah and
Sherman TangIe on Profits
Made by Packers.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 2l.-Debate on
the administration bill appropriating
500, O00, 900 for food relief in Europe
and the Near East covered a wide range
in the senate today and again prevented
a final vote. Passage of the bill Is con-
coded by both advocates and opponents
and Democratic leaders were hopeful
that this would be accomplished to-
morrow.
Attack on the bill and the admins
tration of the relief fund by Herbert
c. Hoover, was led by Senators e
rose, of Pennsylvania, and Sherman,
of Illinois, both Republicans, while Sem
ators Martin, of Virginia, the Democrat
ic leader, and Lewis, OF Illinois, the
Democratic whip, supported it.
Senator Penrose said Mr., Hoover
had insulted every Republican citi-
zen" Sby advising the American people
to support the Democratic party in the
last congressional campaign.
The Pennsylvania senator offered an
amendment requiring that the relief
fund be used TO purchase supplies in
the United States. Senator Martin
criticised this proposal "as a profiteer-
ing stipulation on a charitable fund, ~
and Mr.. Penrose finally modified it to
read that wheat to be given free to
the people of Europe should be pur-
chased in this country as far as posi-
BILE. The amendment then was adopt
ed.
Another amendment offered by sena-
tor AshurSt, of Arizona, Democrat,
would give every soldier, sailor and ma
rine a bonus of six months pay n
his uniform upon discharge, but its
consideration was deferred.
Senator Lewis urged passage Of the
bill as necessary to sustain President
Wilson in his work at the peace con-
ference. Defeat of the measure, he
declared, would dishouor the president
and embarrass him at Paris.
In the course of his discussion of
Mr.. Hoover, Senator Penrose called
attention to reports that the depart
ment of agriculture is drawing a bill
a]ppropriating 81, $50, 600, 900, which is
necessary for the government to buy
the 1919 wheat crop at the fixed mini
mum and said this was a situation
brought about by Mr.. Hoover's ad-
ministration.
Senators Borah, of Idaho, Republican,
and Reed, of Missouri, Democrat, joined
in the criticism of Mr.. Hoover, declar-
ing hat the food Administrations ac-
tivities had resulted In large profits
to the packers.
food administration had fixed and
maintained high prices for live stock,
while limiting packers profits on the
edible portion of live stock to nine per
cent of invested capital.
Senator Sherman said the 800, 900, 900
fund would be placed "in hands out
side of those of the president" for dis
tribution. He said the president had
selected Mr., Hoover, who probably
would choose his w help.
"The president said Senator Sher-
man, did so in the matter Of ~alrplane
| construction of the appropriations for
| which $40, 00O, 900 have never been sat
| i~sfactorily accounted for. Mr.. Hughes
in his report recommended court-mar-
tial for certain gentlemen and the (sen-
ate) committee found many things that
were not in accord with good business.
1.-THE president recommended in ad-
vance that such men as Mr.. Hughes
report found worthy Of court-martial he
exonerated. do not hold the presi-
dent responsible for this miscarriage
Of justice. I do. however, hold him re-
sponsible for the agents whom he Sc
lected and who made such a thing pos
sible."