The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-30
HUGE DIPLOMATIC
 BILL R|DDLED AND
 NOW A MERE SHE'LL
Unable to Withstand On sIaughts In House, Measure Is Hacked to Pieces on
 Points of Order
By Associated Press

g Washington January 2s.--A growing wave of discontent over the new system of framing big appropriation measures broke in the House today with unex- pected fury.
 The upshot of it all was the virtual riddling of the $S,O0o00O diplomatic and consular bill. which at the end of the day was a mere shell of its former self Unable to stand during a flare-up from all sides, the bill was cut to pieces on points of order, which eliminated funds intended for conduct of American busi- ness abroad.
 There was no general attempt to wreck the bill. Members simply sought to reg it's framing. Not ali Of the members were willing to go that far. for many of those who objected strenuously to some of it's provisions were unwilling to seize upon technical grounds for Its de- struction. One member, however, at tackled item after Item and they went out as without authority of law. WARNING OF WHAT IS COMING
 The attack served asia warning of what may be expected next week when the House begins consideration of the army and the naval appropriation bills It gave leaders cause for serious thought as 10 whether the supply measures could be put through before the close of the session on March g. "A
 Heretofore the diplomatic bill has beer, prepared by the foreign affairs commit tee, in intimate touch with needs and requirements of the service The same rule applied 10 other committees bsi. Under the new system. the ranking re- publican and democratic members of the foreign affairs committee. for example, were transferred to a consolidated au- propriation committee of 35 men1bers.a
 This method virtually eliminated the chairman of the committee 10 far as he was authorized to take any psrson4i part in supply bslls prsparetion. The re- publican member transferred became head of the particular subcomwItfee on Appropriations, which tended tp mske | iitm more powerful figure on the flcor than his former chairman JeA1ous f theff old powers. some ehair1nen and committeemen, 1t was aid, made no attempt to conceal anImo5ity or desire to take aswhack at the bill.
 WHERE WEAKNESS LIKS
 E The weak spot in the new systefn, ac- cording to those opposing H. was in the fact that many approximations were au- thorized which had not been authorized before. and which were open to points of order on the ground of new iegisia- ton There are ways by which the |itsms eliminated may be put back either by the Senate. in conference, cr by spe- ciAi rule, giving them lesisiatiye stand ling.
 Defending the new policy, Representa- : tive Aondel the republicAn leader, de- |clared it was in the interest of economy. ard that 15S members had freely sur- rendered their former rights forsthe com7 mon good.
 |e Representative Small, democrat, North Carolina, member of the subcommittee which reported the diplomatic biM, de- |ciared the system was wrong ana in- ststed. by way of illustraticn, that mem kArs of the military comniittee, who for years had given profound study to tAs needs of the war department. more pro perly should handle the army appro- priatlon bill.
 There was applause from both sidss of the chamber when NIT. Small Asaertel |that by this method s mon actually were doing the work that IS were elect ODD PROCEEDING
 Attacking what he described aS the ef- 1 fort to cripple necessary gpvernmeni seryice through improper tacttcs. RSpre- sentative Madden. republican. Illinois called attention to what he chsrseterszsd az an odd proceeding.
 sAithough this bill carries nearly q : |oop.00o less than the diplomatic and con sulAr bill 'passed . year ago. he aaid, s'there is oppositipn to nearly every clause It carries practically the same hnxuage used in similar bills in the past, which met with approval" Y An appropriation of &30ooo for post officers and ezS.eo0 for the exbenses q the United Stn&os seckipn of the inter American high commission wers nfricken ont on points or order.