South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-01-21
DEBATE ON
S100,0OO,00O
RELIEF MEASURE
Senators PenroSe and Sher-
man Attack Measure and
the Administration of
Fund by Hoover.

WASHINGTON. Jan. 21.-Debate
on the administration bill appropri-
ating s1OO. 100000 for food relief in
Europe and the near east. covered a
wide range in the senate Monday
and again prevented a final vote on
the measure. Passage Of the bill is
conceded by both advocates and OPP
ponents. and democratic leaders
were hopeful tonight that this would
be accomplished before adjournment
tomorrow.
Attack on the bill and the admin
istration OF the Keller fund by Her
bert c. Hoover was led by Sens.
Penrose of Pennsylvania. and Sher-
man OF Illinois, both republicans.
while Sen. Martin of Virginia, tho
democratic leader. and Lewis of Illi-
nois. the democratic whip. were the
principal speakers in support of it.
Sen. Penrose said Mr. Hoover
had insulted every republican citi-
zen" by advising the American peO-
pie TO support the democratic party
in the last congressional campaign.
and that he would offer an amend
ment to the bill requiring that the
fund be administered by a commits
sion named by the president. with
the advice and consent of the
senate"
The Pennsylvania senator offered
an amendment recurring that the
relief fund be used TO purchase sup
plies i'm the United States. Sen. Mar
tin criticised this proposal "as a
profteering stipulation on a charit-
able fund" and Mr.. Penrose finally
modified il to read that wheat to be
given free TO the people Of Europe
should be purchased in this country
as far as possible. The amendment
then was adopted
Soldiers Six Months Pay.
Another amendment offered rs
Sen. Ashurst of Arizona, democrat
would give every soldier, sailor and
marine a bonus OF six months paw
and his uniform upon discharge, but
its consideration was deferred.
Sen Lewis urged passage of the
bill as necessary to sustain Pres't
Wilson in his work at the peace con-
ference. Defeat of the measure. he
declared. would "dishonor" the
president and embarrass him in flu
ture negotiations at Paris He also
urged that senators who are preju-
diced against Mr. Hoover were in
iecting questions foreign to the bill
and thus complicating its passage.
In the course of his discussion OF
Mr. Hoover. Sen. Penrose called at
tention to reports that the depart
ment Of agriculture is drawing a bin
appropriating $3.50, O0O, 900. which
is necessary TO meet the govern
ment's obligation 10 buy the 1919
wheat crop at the fixed maximum.
and said this was a remarkable sit
uation brought about by Mr..
Hoover's administration.
CritiCisc Hoover.
Sens. Borah of Idaho, republican.
and Reed Of Missouri. democrat,
Joined in the criticism of Mr.. Hoover
declaring that the food administra-
tons activities had resulted in large
profits 10 the packers while con
sumers paid high prices.
Replying to criticisms of the
packers. Sen. Sherman declared that
the food administrations voluntary
agreements had fixed and maintain
ed high prices for livestock while
limiting packers profits on the ed
ible portion OF livestock 70 nine per
cent OF their invested capital.
Turning 10 the bill Sen. Sherman
said the 100000, 600 fund would be
placed "fn hands outside Of those OF
the president" for distribution. He
said the president already had Sc
lected Mr.. Hoover, who probably
would choose his own help.
The president" said Sen. Sher-
man. did so in the matter OF air
plane construction. OF the appropri-
atoms for which $4,000, 600 has
never Vet beer satisfactorily ac-
counted for. Mr.. Hughes in his re-
port recommended court martial for
certain gentlemen and the report of
the tsenatc) committee. without
passing upon the merely civil liza
biuty, found many things that were
not in accord with good business.
The president recommended in
advance that such OF them as Mr..
Hughes report found worthy Of
court martial be exonerated. and the
war department very recently in =
publication in the Official Bulletin
made the same recommendation and
a number of pages are occupied with
reasons why these aeropIane Off
/ Gals should be released from all
/ liability ! do not hold the president
/ directly responsible for the agents
whom he selected and who made
such thing possible"