Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-12-20
CONGRESS VOTES
AID FOR RUSSIANS

d
passed the administration measure
diverting $20,000,000 Of the fund ap-
propriated for the war grain cor
poration to the use of the commit
tee headed by Herbert Hoover for
distribution among the population of
that section of Russia, which is said
to be starving.
Opponents of the measure fought
it to the last and forced roll call
on the ground that the vote as an
nounced did not include a quorum
of the house. The roll call result
ed 1S1 to II and the bill now goes
to the senate.
In wrangling over the measure,
the house attempted to chop it to
pieces with amendments. The first
actual test was on an amendment
by Representative Bankhead, Demo
crat, Alabama, to reduce the amount
from twenty million to ten millions.
which was defeated 70 to 60.
There had been two solid hours of
debate during which flood of elo-
quence was let loose on the argu-
ment that the starving children OF
Russia, regardless of the Bolshevik
ruin that had brought about their
distress should have their cry for
bread silenced with American food,
when a new fight was started over
proposals to tear the bill to pieces.
Protesting against the use of
funds for the people Of any foreign
nation, Chairman Madden, of the ap-
preparation committee, declared it
was easy to vote a tax on the backs
of the American people, and cry at
the same time for economy.
"There are conditions of distress
in this country which would appall
congress if da4 d to relate Them
Mr.. Madden shouted, adding that in
formation to this effect had been
laid before him confidentially.
But I can not see my way clear.
to vote money out of the treasury"
said the chairman. when it is not
to be used to relieve the distress Of
the people we were sent here to
serve"
When the time came to receive
amendments, more than a score Of
members, jumping to their feet, de-
manded recognition. In the midst
of the flood of them Representative
Goodykoontz, Republican, West V1r-
ginia, stepped forward with a new
paragraph whichk would direct the
president to spend twenty million
dollars for relieving distress among
tile Starving, hungry and unenl-
ployed citizens of the United States"
1t was howled out on point of
order, but the West Virginia repre-
sentative stood his ground.
my amendment may not come
within the rules ow the house." Mr..
Goodykoontz declared above the din.
''but it at least has the merit of com
ing within the constitution Of the
United States"
After that amendments were set
up in rapid succession only to be
knocked down. About all that was
tackled onto the original bill was a
direction that grain for the Russians
be purchased in the United States
and sent to Russia in American bot
toms, and direction that report of
all expenditures be made to congress
by the end of next year.
The house refused to include Ar
menia in the area to which relief
would be sent. It also refused to
designate the area known as the Vol
ga region, or Russia as she stood geo.
graphically prior to the war.
The bill, as passed by the house,
specifically authorizes the president
through such agency or agencies as
he may designate, to purchase, in the
United States and transport in Amer.
can ships and distribute corn, seed,
grain and preserved milk for the
relief of the distressed and starving
people Of Russia for spring plant
ing in areas where seed grains have
been exhausted"
It was estimated that 100000 or
100000 bushels of grain would be
purchased under the appropriation.
GEORGIA SWEET POTATOES
MAY BE SENT RUSSIANS
The Atlanta Journal News Bureau.
623 Riggs Building.
BY THEODORE TILLER
WASHINGTON, Dec. 17.-When
the administration bill for the relief
of the starving people of Russia be-
comes operative, canned sweet pota-
toes from Georgia probably will be
included in the foodstuffs sent to
Russia.
Indications now are that The bill
will become a law during the next
week and Senator Harris today con-
suited Herbert Hoover, secretary OF
commerce., and head of the American
relief commission, regarding the in,
clusion of Georgia potatoes in the
cargo Of foodstuffs.
Secretary Hoover promised to con-
slider the availability of sweet po-
tatoes as food and will pass definite
ly on the suggestion as soon as the
appropriation bill is passed.
Several Georgia concerns which are
canning sweet potatoes suggested to
Senator Harris the use of their prod