South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-08-29

general and Of river and harbor ap-
preparation grabbers in particular.
Porkers Take Fright
The memories bark back 70 an in
teresting performance IN the United
States senate shortly before Sen.
Burton voluntarily retired from that
body. That was the occasion when
the Ohio statesman talked a river
and harbor bill 10 death. II was a
vicious bill. made up OF an amazing
collection OF grabs and so framed
that senator's and representatives
would hardly dare 70 vote against
II. because there was something in II
% tickle" the states and districts
OF nearly all members who were in
clined 20 DE against IL.
sen. Burton took the floor and
held u for days while he enlightened
the country IN regard 20 pork barrel
legislation In general and the pend
ing measure in particular. In a way
~ was an endurance contest. but
the Ohioan was equal TO the emery
ency. Hts inexhaustibIe fund OF in
formation enabled him 70 entertain
the senate and the country with a
detailed story OF waterway develop
ment from a period long ante dating
the birth OF Christ When II was
necessary 10 Kill time in order TO
hold the floor he would dilate for a
few hours on ancient history and on
the desk before him was a stack Of
reference volumes reaching well to-
ward the ceiling 70 which he would
refer from time 20 time, as occasion
seemed appropriate
Fought TO Finish.
Burton's filibuster made history az
a rapid rate There had been spora-
die rebellions against pork barrel
legislation before but no senator or
representative had ever possessed
the nerve 70 defy the hog combina-
ton as Burton defied II. His hlibus-
ter was the turning point in senti-
ment against measures OF this char
acter and not since that time has an
old-fashioned river and harbor pork
grab passed congress, although eff
forts have been made repeatedly 70
get one through
For many years Burton was chair
man OF the house committee on
rivers and harbors, in which capacity
he became nationally known as a
waterways expert. When he went 10
the senate he naturally was placed
on the committee on commerce.
which has Jurisdiction over water
ways legislation
VIII Renew Fight.
II is a foregone conclusion that II
he is elected 10 the house this fall
he will be Llaced again on the COM
mittee on rivers and harbors Not 70
do so would be a violation of all
presidents. as we'll as of the etiquette
Of the house, which is presumed 10
recognize exceptional qualifications
for committee service. There is no
reason 10 doubt that if Burton goes
on the committee he will hght as
ardently as before any efforts 70 loot
the treasury in the name OF river
and harbor appropriations. If he
should be deprived of a place on the
committee the reason will be patent
and will ena BILE him 70 fight even
more effectively on the floor OF con-
gress
Burton's denomination for con-
gresS comes at a time that is par
ucularly unfortunate for the pork
barrel crew. During the war the
pork -barrelers were afraid that pub
lie sentiment would make il hot for
them IL they undertook 10 put across
any bill resembling the old -fas hioned
pork grabs but now that the war is
over. the pork barrelers have got
their mouths rrimed for pork and an
old fashioned omnibus pork barrel
bill is one Of their plans for the
next congress With Burton at the
switch their plans are likely 70 be
shunted into the ditch, and they
know il