TO PROVIDE FOR THE SALARIES OF A MINISTER AND CONSULS TO THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND. COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS, Friday, December 12, 1919. The committee met at 10.30 o'clock a. m., Hon. Stephen G. Porter (chairman) presiding. The CHAIRMAN. The committee will be in order. The committee has been called to consider H. R. 3404, entitled "A bill to provide for the salaries for a minister and consuls for the Republic of Ireland." The bill reads as follows: [H. R. 3404, Sixty-sixth Congress, first session.] A BILL To provide for the salaries of a minister and consuls to the Republic of Ireland. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That an appropriation be made out of the Treasury of the United States to provide for salaries for a minister and consuls to the Republic of Ireland, the sum of $14,000. The committee is desirous of being quite liberal in the matter of time, and we would like the time divided between the proponents of the bill and the opponents. Mr. Mason has indicated that he will take charge of the speakers in favor of the passage of the bill, and I hope that those opposed to the bill will agree upon some one to represent them. Mr. Fox. I am the spokesman for those opposed to it. We are perfectly willing to take one-half of the time before the committee. We do not want it to be as it was a year ago when I got 15 minutes and they had 8 hours. I would like to know what the time for each of their speakers is to be. I think the advocates of the resolution should have one hour, and then we should have an hour. I do not want to wait until they get through. The CHAIRMAN. I think it would be very much more orderly if we should hear first one side and when they have finished then hear the other side. Mr. Fox. Then you do not think that we can divide the time as I have said give them an hour and we take an hour? The CHAIRMAN. I think we should hear those friendly to the bill first. Mr. Fox. Those friendly to the bill? The CHAIRMAN. Yes; and we will give you plenty of time. Mr. Fox. Thank you very much. The CHAIRMAN. I would say that we expect to close the hearing to-day, though. Mr. Fox. We shall be here to-morrow and to-morrow night [Laughter.] The CHAIRMAN. Now, Mr. Mason, will you proceed? 3 |