The New York herald., 1922-05-01

the Ways and Means Committee al
though 1t was in no sense a revenue
measure. 1t specifically called for
appropriations.
The Ways and Means Committee did
not even make a pretense of devising
means for raising revenue to finance
the understanding. 1t merely directed
the Government to find the money.
The proper authority to provide legis-
lation or this sort Is vested solely with
the Appropriations Committee, OF
which Martin Madden OF Illinois is
chairman. Mr.. Madden, who is an ex-
perienced legislator, offered no objec-
ton to this arrangement, probably be-
cause it spelled trouble for him.
Where Madden Interfered.
But Mr.. Madden did not hesitate to
set aside the usual processes govern
ing legislation by taking from the Ma
val Committee, of which Representa-
tive Butler of Pennsylvania is the
chairman. the construction of the
measure making provision for the sea
branch of the armed service. His COM
mittee arbitrarily rejected estimates
of the naval experts and set out to
prove that the experts did not know
what they We're talking about.
AS Mr.. Madden's committee finally
presented the naval bill it provided
mere skeleton of the requirements
which the responsible officials of that
department regarded as absolutely
necessary to the security of the ma
tional defense. The ''little navy" men
who expect to appeal to misdirected
pacific sentiment of the agricultural
| section of the country, rallied to the
support of Mr. Madden and his asso-
ciates on the Appropriations Com
mittee.
1t required the full pressure OF the
Administration to overturn the Mad
den program. The incident is of more
than passing Importance because Mr.
Madden was supported by Mr.. Mondell,
the majority leader, and most of the
chairmen of the more important COM
mittees who displayed scant regard for
the opinions of the President, Secre-
tary Hughes Gas chairman of the
American delegation to the Armament
Conference), Secretary DENLY, AS
sistant Secretary Roosevelt and the
technical experts of the naval estab-
| lishment, who viewed with just in
dignation the attempt of the House
leaders to expose the country to poten-
tial dangers.
| Mr.. Mondell Mr.. Fordney and Dr.
Fess are candidates for seats in the
Senate from Wyoming, Michigan and
Ohio, respectively. A great many of
| their associates who attach impor-
tance to the opinions of the outside
leaders have no particular objection
to lending helping hand i'm these ven-
lures. But they are beginning to re-
fleet pronounced skepticism regarding
the wisdom of permitting their ambi-
tious leaders to sacrifice the interests
OF the party and bring further dis
credit on Congress among the people.
Mr.. Mondelps recent speech de-
nouncing as wholly unjust criticism
of his management Of party affairs in
the lower house was and still is
viewed in the nature Of Pickwicisian
achievement. His determined insist
ence on the passage OF a bonus bill
which he and Mr.. Fordney had the
best reasons for knowing was disap-
proved by the President is cited by
! members who are skeptical of his
leadership rs justification for any
move to denote him.
That such a move would be made is
beyond question If the present session
| OF Congress were not drawing to
close. Mr.. Mondell's supporters be-
! lieve he will not be a member Of the
next Congress and his critics hope so.
BY putting through the bonus bill he
has deservedly won and will probably
receive the support OF the American
Legion in Wyoming, whatever it may
be worth to him.
If Mr.. Fordney elects to make the
race against Ser9.o- Townsend in
Michigan he ~ unuou btedly receive
all the vote, that the American Legion
can recruit for him in that State That
which applies to Mr.. Mondell and Mr..
Fordney of Wyoming and Michigan
VIII presumably work to the advantage
of DR.. Fess in Ohio.
| The chairman OF the Republican
| Congressional Committee was con-
verted to support of the bonus after
opposing it for two years. The most
logical explanation of his eleventh
hour flop was that he decided to make
| the race for the Senate and wanted the
support of the American Legion. This
| reason Is regarded as correct. A few
weeks before Mr.. F'ess Joined with
Messrs. Mondell, Fordney, Longworth,
Madden and other leaders in the bon.s
raid he expressed doubt as to the
wisdom of such course.
Out of the confused situation exist
ing In the House-and to some extent
the Senate as well-there appears to
be crystallizing among members who
are indulging in a serious analysis of
1t a demand for better team work be-
tween the executive and legislative
branches of the Government