Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1921-01-30
S8,0O0,O00.
Diplomatic.
BilIRiddIed.
Growing Discontentment Over
Method of Framing Big Ap.
preparations Breaks Out
In House Fight.
Much Animosity Shown
by The Associated Press.

Washington, Jan. 20. - Growing
discontent over the new system OF
framing big appropriation measures
broke i'll the house today with un-
expected fury.
The upshot was the virtual rid
ding of the S8,000,000 diplomatic and
consular bill which was cut to pieces
on points of order. There was no
general attempt to wreck the bill;
members simply sought to register
violent opposition to the manner OF
its framing. Not all were willing to
go that far, for many objectors were
unwilling to seize OH technical
grounds for its destruction. One
member, however, attacked item
after item and they went out as with
out authority CT law.
Warning of Hot Fight.
The attack served as warning of
what may be expected next week
when the house begins consideration
OF the army and the naval appropria-
ton bills. 1t gave leaders cause for
serious thought as to whether the
supply measures could be put
through before March ).
Heretofore. the diplomatic bill has
been prepared by the foreign affairs
committee, in touch with needs Of
the service. The same rule applied
to other committees. but under the
new system ranking republican and
democratic members of the foreign
affairs committee, for example, were
transferred to a consolidated appro-
priation committee of IS members
Point Out Weak Spots.
This method virtually eliminated
the chairman of the committee, SO
far as he was authorized to take any
personal part in a supply bAl's pre-
paration. The republican member
transferred became head of the par
ticular subcommittee on appropria-
tons, which tended to make him a
more powerful figure on the floor
than his former chairman. Jealous
on their old powers. some chairinen
and committeeman, it was said, made
no attempt to conceal animosity or
desire to take whack at the bill.
The weak spot i'll the new system,
according to those opposing it. was
in fact that many appropriations
were authorized whicl, had not been
authorized ,beftc and which were
thus open to points of order.
There are ways by which the items
eliminated may be put back, either
by the senate, in conference or by
special rule, giving them legislative
standing. .-r>
Mondell Defends Plan.
Defending the new policy, Repre-
sentative Mondell. republican leader.
declared it was in the interest of
economy and that $50 members had
freely surrendered their former
rights for the common good. Il
Representative Small. democrat of
North Carolina, member of the sub
committee which reported the bill.
declared the system was wrong and
insisted that members of the military
committee, who for years had given
profound study to the needs of the
War department, more properly
should handle the, army appropria
ton bill.
There was applause when Mr..
Small asserted that by this method
s. men actually were doing the work
that 435 we're elected to do.
An appropriation of S250000 for
post allowances for diplomatic and
consular officers and $4,000 for the
expenses of the United States Sec
ton of the inter-American high COM
mission were stricken out on points
of order.
The final vote probably will come
Monday.