New Britain herald., 1923-02-16
HARBORS BLOC TO
Fight FOR MONEY
Conn. Congressman Line Up for
Large Sized Appropriations
Rf GEORGE y, MANNING

/ - nj hEoheik h, MANNING
sN@shihsish Bureau 81 New BFiiaia HsEalal
Washington, D, C., Feb, le.-An-
gehed over reports that President
Harding plans 10 thsaFt the wiz al
congress which voted 10 spend $780,
100000 on rivers and haFb0rs during
the next fiscal year by directing the
ehlef or engineers 10 eEpend only
$4,000, eco, the amount iNed hy the
budget director, the rivers and har-
hars "bloe" IN congress- which in-
eindes tbs majority Of the Connecticut
delegation. has declared its purpose TO
make the act of congress mandatory
IL possible and thus rob the president
OF power,
Representative Dempsey leader OF
the bloc" is trying 10 Obtain for him
self and members OF his committee,
an interview with the president To-
sound him out on the reports OF his
intention 10 order the cut OF $4,000
aa0 in the appropriation, Dempsey
Is chairman of the house rivers and
harbors committee. II was he who
presented and led the fight Tor the
amendment TO increase the appr0pria-
ton from $4,000, 900 TO ss6.00e.0 900,
Should the president at the confer
enee with Dempsey and his associated
show any evidence OF intention toI
carry out the plan credited to him II
IL the plan OF the bloc TO take steps
that will Tie his hands
II the president should direct the
chief OF engineers, under the author
ity vested In him by the constitution,
as ommander-in-chlef OF the army
and navy. 10 expend only total OF
$4,000. 900 on rivers aud harbors dur.
ing the next fiscal year II would have |
the effect Of seriously hampering !
waterway improvement In connecti- |
cut.
s3OO.0OO For Connecticut.
The engineers plapned 20 spend |
about 100000 OH Connecticut rivers
and harbors in the twelve months
July /. next: but III the |
total appropriation is cut from $780,
100000 to s27000,00O. II will be
necessary. of course to cut this pro-
rosal at least in half.
So far the bloc" leader has been \
unable 10 obtain the interview with
The president. 1.-THE White House Off
sials insisting that owing to his recent
illness he is able to attend but title
business. Mr.. Harding's secretary
advised Mr.. Dempsey today that there
S no foundation for reports that the II
resident plans to defeat the ex-
,ressed wish of congress. Mr.. Hard :
ng has made no statement concern .
ne the matter, he said
In view OF the reports and humors
f the presidents contemplate !
ction, Mr.. Dempsey and other MEM
ers of the house committee. who
ere instrumental in forming the
liver and harbor bloc which led the
ght against the budget recommen-
atoms, have concluded that the
resident is giving an car to false wit
esses who are telling of the so-called
pork barrel" bill, and are placing 5
lem in a very embarrassing position. U
o correct this false impression they d
ave decided to seek an interview y
18th the president to state their posi- I
on and disprove the charges of s.
pork parrel" legislation. D
The members of the bloc" insist II
icy are only accepting the word of
lie army engineers who have charge M
the waterway work and are right "
/ the ground, that expenditure of
is necessary, as against
e advice of the burget director who
lows nothing at all about the needs
the waterways and the demands of +
The estimates made by the en-
neers of expenditures on Connecticut
aterways to come out Of the $780,
$1,000 are: Connecticut river below
artford, $4,000; Pawcatuck river, T.,
1900; Duck Island harbor of II,
fuge $4,000; Bridgeport harbor tn
1000. Norwalk harbor 100000: w,
amford harbor 100000, and Green m
ch harbor $4,000. ~