HOUSE DROWNS IN FOLLY AS THE FLOODWATERS RISE

Maybe the U.S. House just can't help itself. Caught in a self-developed and unrestrained pattern of caprice where the appropriation of public money is concerned, leaders in the House grow accustomed to funding pet projects at will, even if it means corrupting worthy legislation. Congress has become the slaughterhouse of good intentions, and legislative inaction last week on a measure to speed relief to flood victims was a national disgrace.

Consider the signals being sent from Washington to people in the Midwest, many of whom are seeing their homes and property and livelihoods claimed by swollen rivers. On one hand, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy, the administration's ambassador for flood relief, comes to the Midwest and vows that "red tape will be cut" in getting help to those who need it. On the other hand, the U.S. House, looking at a $3 billion emergency aid package for flood victims that seemed destined for passage Thursday, got bogged down in matters of procedure and packed it in for the weekend.

Some representatives, including Southeast Missouri's congressman, Bill Emerson, were outraged that the House didn't work out its problems and get the aid in place before the week's adjournment. Rep. Emerson was equally displeased that House leadership installed in the emergency measure appropriations that had no relation to flood relief. (A $100 stipend for inner-city youths who go to job interviews? In a high-water situation, this is a low-water mark for legislation.)

The annoyance was not limited to partisan opponents of House leadership. One Democratic representative from Illinois, Richard J. Durbin, berated the House for praising the courage of flood fighters and then sticking "a knife in their backs." For lawmakers who see their constituents suffering, insincere praise must be the worst slap of all. And where is Richard Gephardt during all this? The number-two man in the U.S. House should be especially sensitive to the plight of flood victims. Why is he allowing the legislation to include expenditures that have nothing to do with the ongoing disaster?

Lawmakers should take stock of themselves at the earliest moment this week and approve a "clean" disaster relief bill, one that does not cater to projects outside the purview of flood assistance and one that gets ample and expedient help to those who need it.

People of the Midwest have learned too well the discouragement of combating natural forces; now, unfortunately, when they need bolstering the most, they must learn the discouragement of dealing with an entrenched and arbitrary Congress.