The Washington times., 1921-01-25
WIDER BUDGET
P[ANG..0.p.A|M
viii Fight to Take Control Of
Appropriations From Sub
committee Control.
by DAVID n. CHURCH,
International News Service.


The budget system is looming up
today as the casus belli in a contest
for power in the next Congress.
Republican leaders are preparing
to fight for changes in the present
system of appropriations when the
new Congress meets at the call Of
President-elect Harding in the
spring.
The present system is placing the
control Of Congress in the hands OF
few men, according to Republican
leaders.
NOW SEVEN sUBCOMMII'rEEs.
All appropriations are now con-
trolled By a committe OF thirty-five
members this committee being d.
vided into seven sub -committees,
each sub committee having charge OF
certain appropriation bills.
Five members compose each sub
commyittee. Three members consti-
tute q majority Of the subcommittee,
and two members OF the majority can
control the entire work of the sub
committee, leaders charge. and they
declare 1t Is evident that the sub
committees are, in effect, in the con-
troll of the chairmen. This Is de-
clared to be responsible for situa-
ton bringing Congress into the con-
troll OF a few men. for little can be
done in the way of legislation with
out appropriations controlled by a
few men, 1t Is declared.
Appropriations for the military
needs of the nation are approved or
disapproved by subcommittee
headed by Representative Anthony, of
Kansas. The Military Affairs Com
mittee may lay down policies, but
these policies may be set at naught IL
the appropriations subcommittee re-
fuses to sanction the funds necessary
to put the policies into effect. Repre-
sentative Kahn. of California, is chair
man OF the Military Affairs Commit
tee. and Representative Anthony, who
controls the appropriations for this
committee, frequently has opposed the
policies Of Chairman Kahn.
The Naval Affairs Committee is
headed by Representative Butler, of
Pennsylvania, but the appropriations
for this committee must be approved
by q subcommittee headed by Rep
resentative Kelly, of Michigan. who
is not always in accord with Chair
man Butler.
LACK OF ACCORD.
Representative Haugen of Iowa. is
chairman Of the Agriculture Commit
tee, but Representative Anderson of
Minnesota, who has frequently OPP
posed Haugen, controls agricultural
appropriations. Chairman Snyder of
the Indian Affairs Committee can do
little without the approval of. Rep
resentative Elston Of California. who
heads the appropriation sub-commit
tee for Indian Affairs. Likewise,
Chairman Kennedy Of the Rivers and
Harbors Committee may make de-
cisions, but they are of little value
unless the appropriations are ap-
proved by the subcommittee.
In the organization of the new
Congress these matters are expected
to be fought out, with a vigorous eff
fort to secure the control of appro-
priations for the chairman of the ma
jor committees Of the House.
Speaker Gillett is looked upon now
as certain of reelection in the new
Congress. If any move is made to re-
place Gillett, the field will be opened
and Representative Mann of Illinois
will become a factor with his follow
ing. Representative Tess of Ohio, will
also be likely candidate. Represen-
tative Fess was chairman of the Re-
publican Congressional Committee
and probably would have the support
Of those Republicans whose cam
paigns he made successful. With this
situation before them, Republican
leaders are disposed to let the speak
crship remain where it is and direct
their efforts to an attempt to untangle
the snarl caused by the present sys-
TEN which places control of appro-
priations in the hands of thirty-five
members.
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