Evening star., 1923-02-10
DEBT-FUND|NGP[AN
APPROVED IN HOUSE
BY Vote of 291 to a. Terms
Are O.K'd and Forward
ed to Senate.

The British debt settlement agree
yesterday, after all-day debate. by
vote of 291 to A. when sixty-three dem
ocrats Joined with 227 republicans. The
measure now goes to the Senate.
notable feature of the debate was a
speech by Representative Finis j. Gar
ret Of Tennessee, the minority leader.
urging acceptance by the House Of this
agreement. He was cheered second only
to Representative Burton Of Ohio, 4
member of the debt commission. Forty
three democrats opposed the measure.
Representative Meyer London Of New
York, the one socialist member. voted
for it. He said he rejoiced at the op-
portunity afforded him to support
measure which would promote world
peace"
Democrats opposing the settlement
were: Abernathy and Hammer, North
Carolina: Almon, Bowling and Ste
gall, Alabama; Blanton. Box. Garrett.
ders, Texas; Brand and Lankford.
Georgia; Carew, Cullen. Meade and
Riordan, New York; Collier, Collins.
Lowrey. Johnson, Quinn and Rankin,
HlSSlSSlppl, OlQIlclQ, fdrKS, iaylOr.
Tillman and Wingo, Arkansas; Domi
nick. Logan and McSwain, South Car
olina: Favrot, OConnor and Sandtin
Louisiana: Johnson, Rouse and Thorn
as, Kentucky; Rainey and SABBATH IL
linois; Raker, California;; Gallivan,
Massachusetts,, and Smithwick, Flor
ida.
Goes to Senate Today.
The House vote was on an amend
ment to the existing funding statute
which not only would specifically ap-
prove the agreement reached with the
British government, but also would
authorize the American debt commits
sion to make settlements similar,
but not more favorable. in terms"
with the other debtor nations. The
amendment will be formally trans
mitted to the Senate today and i'm
mediate consideration by the finance
committee is planned. The time of
Senate action, however, still is prob
lematical.
There was no effort in the House to
attach a soldiers bonus rider to the
Legislation and attempts to amend it
otherwise failed. Representative Hud-
speth, democrat, Texas, sought TO
change the interest rates to be paid
by Great Britain from per cent for
j the first ten years and 31a per cent
thereafter to fiat Az per cent, but
q roll call.
Similar disposition was made of an
amendment by Representative Rosen-
bloom, republican, West Virginia.
which would have provided that any
claims allowed to the British govern
ment against the United States grow
ing out Of the war should be credited
against the British debt instead of
being paid in cash. 1t was contended
! that such an amendment would throw
the whole matter of the debt into
renewed negotiation.
Proposal Jeered.
; Amid some jeers and laughter, the
House voted down motion by
| Representative OConnor, democrat,
Texas, to recommit the legislation
with instructions. to the ways and
means committee to add a provision
that the measure could. not become
effective until the Hay-Paunoefote
treaty dealing with the Panama
canal had been abrogated
Chairman Fordney of the committee
who had charge OF the bill for the
majority, then called for the final
vote, asking for a rollcall to show
| the world, as he expressed 1t, that
| tne American congress Is practical
iy a unit behind the debt commission
| In this settlement"
| Four hours of general debate pre-
| ceded passage of the amendment and
| toward the last many of the mem
bers became impatient. AS attempts
were made to amend and recommit
there was general hubbub in the
chamber with repeated cries of vote
VOTE" when representatives sought
to explain amendments proposed.
| representative Burton, republican
Ohio, member of the American
| commission, and Garrett Of Tennessee
the democratic leader took the lead
| in supporting the British settlement
! while Representatives Collier OF Mis-.
| sissippi and Oldf1eld of Arkansas
democrats, on thesways and means
committee, led the fight for the op-
ponents.
| Garrett Cheered.
Representative Garrett brought the
members, republicans and democrats
alike, to their feet with applause and
cheers when. after attacking the re.
publican party for its stand on the
tleague of nations, he announced tina,
he would support the settlement "be-
cause Of the bigness of the subjec,
and the bigness Of the hour"
In assaiiing the settlement, demo
cratic opponents declared the House
was without sufficient information re.
garding the negotiations to determine
whether the terms agreed upon were
the best that might have been OBJ.