The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-06-14
House Approves
Railroad Fund
Democrats Urge Larger Amount
But Do Not Press Fight for
Amendment

Washington. June 10.-Ry a vote
of 305 to four the house today pass
ed the bin authorizing an appropriaA
ton of S75O,000,000 for the railroad
administrators revolving fund. Dem
ocratic members urged larger
amount, but did not press any amend
ment for an increase while Republi-
cans declared the fund would pe sur
ficient until later in the year when
future needs would be known. The
measure now goes to the senate where
leaders plan early action.
Votes against the appropriations
were cast by Representative An
thony, Kansas; Ramseyer, Iowa:
woodward, W Va, Republicans, and
Thomas, Kentucky, Democrat, none OF
them urged his objections to the bill
during the debate which was by the
Injunction OF considerable political
discussion.
Chairman Good Of the appropria-
tions committee il charge Of the rail
bill explained that reduction from the
$1,000, 100000 requested by Director
General Hines was decided on by the
committee because it was admitted
that exact needs Of the future were
problemmatical. The new fund. he said
would make total Of $1,250,00o 600
granted the administration since the
rail lines were taken over by the gov
ernment.
|, Representative Byrnes. South Caro-
lima, and Bryns, Tennessee, Demo
Gratis, urged that large approprla
ton was necessary to make prompt
monthly payment Of the adnlinistra-
1ion's expenses, the delay in which
they said would adversely affect gen
eral business conditions. They also
asserted that the smaller amount
would increase in the charge on rail
road indebtedness that eventually
would be paid by the government.
| Meanwhile in the. senate, debate
proceeded on the Cummins bills to re-
store to the interstate commerce COM
mission immediately its power of su-
uervis...1 over interstate railroad
| rates. Senator Nelson, Republican, OF
Minnesota. protested against insertion
of an amendment to limit the restor-
alton of supervision to interstate
! rates. The amendment, he said,
would leave intrastate tariffs at the
mercy of the railroad administra-
ton. Senator Cumnins declared thar
TO subordinate the federal government
as operator of the lines to the au-
thority of the several States as to IN
trastate rates would be indefensible.
/ Senator Pomerene, Democrat, JOIN
ed in the statement Of Senator Cum
MINIS and Nelson that the roads should
be returned toi private control at the
earliest moment possible.
Political debate was started in the
house when Representative Magee
lRepublican, of New York. declared
the loss from railroad operation was
Continuing to increase and blamed
this to "the Democratic policy OF
drifting instead of acting The rail,
road administration having increased
wages. he said, should have the
moral courage" to make compensa'
tory freight and passenger rates
Representative Walsh, Republican. OF
Massachuetts, added. that many
was ges are excessive and to save the
public treasury we should not hesitate
to revise or reduce wages
:! Resenting frequent Republican ref
erence to the presidents absence from
the United States. Representative
Hardy Democrat. OF Texas. said that
the Republicans damned everything
Woodrow Wilson does" and that nc
crime is not laid TO the league of. ma
tons. but nevertheless the Republi-
cans don't dare to come out in open
! lopposition to it,