Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-25
HOOVER ATTACKED
ON APPROPRIATIONS
Glass OF. Virginia Calls State
ment "Cheap Exhibition of
Partisan Politics."
CONTINUED From First Page.l

now the White House finds itself in
the embarrassing position of learning
that the congressional committees have
reduced appropriations by more than
$28 100000 below the budget figures"
Senator Watson promptly rose in de-
Tense of the President when the Vir-
ginia Senator had concluded,
we all recognize that the Senator
from Virginia is sound legislator and
that he rarely INDUCES in flights of
imagination" began Senator Watson.
Yet he has seen fit to do so today
There has been absolutely no intimat ton
from the White House today that any,
thlng Congress has done in regard to
the appropriation bills so far handled
has been wrong. Indeed. the sugges-
ton from the White House has been to
the effect that the budget should be
carried out.
Leaders Alarmed.
"The meeting at the White House
yesterday, for which am as much re-
sponsible as any one, came about be-
cause leaders in the House have been
alarmed over the situation there"
Senator Watson said that some of the
House leaders had come to him weeks
ago and expressed grave concern lest
they be unable to stem the tariff and
hold down excessive appropriations. He
said that the House leaders had asked
him what could be done on the Senate
side TO prevent too great appropria-
lions.
why did the chairman of the House
appropriations committee go to the
White House?" demanded Senator Glass.
Was it because he was afraid of what
the Senate would do? Was it to berate
the Senator"
Senator Watson ridiculed the idea
and declared that the House leaders
had come to him and not gone to the
White House. He said that they were
apprehensive that many of the bills in
troduced to authorize new appropria-
lions might be passed.
THE Senator from Indiana appar-
emily is as innocent as the White
House" sneered Senator Glass.
Watson Sticks to Guns.
Senator Watson stuck to his guns,
declaring that the House leaders were
apprehensive lest excessive appropria-
lions be made.
Doesn't the Senator know" inter-
rupted Senator Blaine of Wisconsin, Re-
publican progressive and anti-adminis-
trationlst, that the President can veto
any bills that may be sent to him?"
Certainly know that" replied Sena-
IOA WdJSOll. 4 ilc 1IluldIld SENATOR con-
tinued that the Republican leaders Of
the Senate and House had met with the
President yesterday to discuss the finan-
cial situation, just as they have always
met to discuss such questions in the
past He pointed out that a law mas
recently been passed cutting $3.50, 000,-
600 from the Federal income taxes
which the Government will collect this
year. He said, too, that returns from the
income tax may fall off 10 per cent be-
cause of the depression which followed
the stock market crash. Customs duties
also were decreasing, he said, because
importers were waiting to see what the
tariff bill would be. He added that
House members are right up against a
primary election" and that there was
great pressure on them for the passage
OF many bills for new projects.
The real truth, he said, was that
many of the bills pending in the House
might be passed.
yet the Senator from Virginia is
berating the President because he called
meeting of the party leaders and
issued this warning" said Senator Wat
son. i maintain that it was his duty
to do so. l know that the President
has authority to veto bills that are sent
TO him. But I would not put it up to
the President to veto these bills. / am
too loyalty a party man to do that"
Anti Drive.
Senator Watson said that all Sena-
tors know there would be no limit to
the amount spent on flood control, on
pensions and other subjects if all of the
blllS that are introduced should pass,
and he added: What is the use in put
ting up a blind i'll order to attack the
President of the United States?"
Senator La Toilette, Republican. of
Wisconsin told Senator Watson he
ought to point out that if there is any
difficulty in the Treasury las a result
OF the $160,000,000 tax cut that was
passed to peg the stock market, the
responsibility would be on the Execu-
tive for recommending the reduction.
and not on Congress"
Senator Watson, in reply declared
That the discussion going on was IAN
antl-administration drive" The Sena-
Tor added that the President recon-
mended a tax reduction and an in
crease in public buildings in order to
help business conditions.
Senator La Toilette took the view
that members of Congress in introduce
ing bills calling for public work have
done so because the administration has
suggested that as one step in helping
business.
Senator Watson said the President
was willing to have funds for public
buildings increased, but that there were
many other bills not related to public
buildings on the list referred to.
Senator Glass entered the discussion
again to say that he resented the sug-
gestlon that he had started the debate
With desire to raise partisan attack
on the administration, but he declared
he did not propose to sit supinely by
and see an effort made to arouse public
sentiment against this body and not say
something about it,"
Senator Glass said it was generally
known that there has not been any
chance for the passage of many of the
bills referred to involving large expendi-
lures, and that if the President had the
idea that these bills were likely to pass
he should have addressed a message to
Congress on the subject.
Senator Watson, concluding, empha-
sized that his statement of Yesterday
was not intended as applying to projects
already authorized, but only as a check
on new ones.
Hoover leadership was the target of
an overnight attack from Democratic
spokesman based partially upon the
Presidents conference with congress
sional and departmental leaders and
his warning against excessive appro-
priations.
Representative Garner of Texas. the
Democratic leader, termed the confer
ence "a move to divert the attention of
the public from the chaotic economic
and unemployment conditions brought
on by lack of leadership of the Presi-
dent"
Called "Poppycock"
at is simply the setting up of a
straw man to be knocked down." said
Senator Mcclellan, Democratic menu
Der of the appropriations committee
Bills for large appropriations are al
ways introduced, but Congress doesn't
Ia