The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-06-02

kansas, Kansas, Nebraska, the Dakotas, Iowa, Illinois and Ohio. In addition, OPA may soon an- nounce a system fer licensing all poultry handlers.
 Ont he bright side is the fact that farmers responded so well to the April call for increased poultry production that hatchery production in the latter part of April was greaetr than in any cor responding period in the past. CONGRESSIONAL FIST FIGHT
 Inside fact about the fist fight between New York's Republican Congressman John Taber and Mis- souri's belligerent Democrat Clar- ence Cannon is that their scratch each -other's-e -eyes-out animosity dates back to a secret meeting of the House Appropriations Committee about three weeks ago.
 The Appropriations Committee met to consider the much-debated S2,5OO extra expense allowance to Congressmen. Democratic lead- CTS had okayed the increase, but Republican leaders had not. They wanted the Democrats to stick their necks out first. However, the rank and file of Republican mem bers were sore as blaZes against their leaders, because they wanted the cash just as much as the Democrats.
 When the Appropriations Committee met, Congressman Taber, top Republican member, sanctimoniously announced he would not approve the $2,500 boost if it could be drawn in a lump sum. Wheseupon the Committee slapped him down with a 20 to 16 vote permitting members to draw the expense amount in a lump sum if they wished.
 The bellicose Taber then threatened floor fight. Faced with this, the Committee back tracked and agreed to restrict the expense allowance to monthly payments. Chairman Cannon then called for a vote to report the Bill out of Committee-con- sidered only a formality, since there was apparent agreement on the entire Bill. Everyone voted "Aye,' until suddenly Taber droned "NO.'
 HE WHO GETS SLAPPED
 Whereupon, Chairman Cannon, who had already voted Aye" changed his vote to 'No." Rep resentative Joe Hendricks of De- land Florida, asked why.
 'In every conversation I've had with the gentleman from New York (meaning Taber), he made it plain that he favors this S2,5O0 allowance" replied Cannon. "When I voted just now, I firmly believed that the gentleman would vote likewise. And I do not intend to have this become a political issue"
 Taber then denied that he had said he would vote for the $2,500 allowance. This aroused the ire. not only of Cannon, whose blood was already boiling, but of Con- gressman O'Neal of Kentucky and several other Democrats. They in- iSted that Taber had okayed the extra funds.
 You want the extra dough-" they stormed, but you also want to be in position to at tack it for political reasons"
 Finally the storm subsided. But a few days ago, when the whole matter did become a political is- sue, just as Cannon predicted. tine irate Missourian called Taber in- to his office and socked him in the eye.
 Note-When Congressman Mo- Cormack of Massachusetts was criticized 25 years ago for voting to increase the salary of Assembly members from $1 900 to $500, he told his constituents: If you want a S10,000 man for $500, vote for me. If you want $500 man for S1,OOO. vote for my opponent" All fair minded observ- CTS in Washington agree that Congressmen deserve salary in- crease. There is also complete agreement that they have gone at it in the most inept way possible.