The Washington herald., 1919-01-14
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RELIEF BUDGET
PASSES HOUSE
Food Bill, Approved by
243 to 73 Vote, Now
Goes to Senate.
CANNON SWINGS TIDE
Entire Day Consumed IN
Close Approach to Strict
" Partisan Debate.

The House last night passed the
Administration bill appropriating sloo.-
10000 for the relief of the starving
peoples of Europe. The vote was 2i2
for and seventy-three against. The
bill now goes to the Senate.
The vote on the bill was not taken
until after 7:ao o'clock. Virtually the
entire day was consumed in the clos
est approach to strictly partisan de-
bate since party lines were eliminated
tn-ebe consideration of war measures
The advantage was seen to-be with
the Democrats from the beginning,
men Uncle Joe" Cannon, former
Republican Speaker, declared for the
bin. Forty minutes Of the time al
lotted to the advocates OF the bill was
Yielded to Mr.. Cannon. and through
this arrangement six additional Re
puolicans spoke for the measure. Re
publican Leader Mann also was
known to be in favor OF the bill. He
advocated its passage during debate
on amendments.
Thirty-one Speeches.
ThiTty-one speeches were made
during the consideration of the spe-
Committee for immediate eonsidera-
ton OF the bill and on the bill it.
self. Sixteen favored and fifteen op-
posed the bill Nine Republicans
altogether spoke for the bill, and
only two Democrats against
During the debate Representative
Sherley, Democrat of Kentucky,
chairman of the Appropriations
read a second cablegram received
from President Wilson urging the
appropriation. The President said
the proposed relief was urgently
needed as the best means of stop
ping the westward spread of Boil
shevism. The text of the cablegram
follows:
Il cannot too earnestly or solemn
iy urge upon the Congress the ap-
preparation for which Mr.. Hoover
mas asked for the administration of
food relief. Food relief is now the
key 70 the whole European situa-
tion and to the solution of peace.
Bolshevism is steadily advancing
Westward is poisoning Germany 1t
cannot be stopped by force, but it
can be stopped by food, and all the
leaders with whom am in confer
ence agree that concerted action in
this matter is of immediate and
vital Importance. The money will
not be spent for food for Germany
itself, because Germany can buy its
food. but ii will be spent for financ-
ing the movement of food to our
real friends in Poland and to the
people in the liberated units of the
Austrian-Hungarian empire. and to
our associates in the Balkans.
Asks Quick Action.
Il beg that you will present this
matter with all possible urgency and
force to the Congress. 1 do not see
how We can find definite powers with
whom to conclude peace unless this
means Of stemming the tide of an
srchism be employed"
similar message from Henry
White. Republican member of the
American peace delegation. to Senator
Lodge. also was read by Mr.. Sherley.
The necessity of stopping the spread
OF Bolshevism through the means
provided in the proposed legislation
was the keynote of the Democrats
argument for the passage of the bill
The Republicans decried a lack of
Information as to the plans for ex-
pending the 10000. 900 and charged that
the allies had not definitely agreed
upon any plan for proportionate CO.
operation. 1t was also urged by the
opposition that relief of the famine
and distress in Europe should be left
to the Red Cross.
An amendment placing the expendi-
ture Of the fund in the control of the
Red Cross was offered by Representa-
tive Wood. Republican, of Indiana,
and had the support OF Republican
Leader Mann 1t was defeated by a
decided majority.
The life of millions of persons will
depend upon this relief, II was de-
elared by the Democrats, who stated
that even with this legislation more
millions must die from starvation
in the interior of Russia this winter.
In the face of this condition, the RE-
puolicans were charged with playing
politics and attempting to discredit
the President at the peace table. This
was vigorously denied by the Republi-
can speakers.