The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-01-19

tenden. inquirns what legal impedmentg II any, ex-
which prevent the President from executing the
anu-discr nation law against the Union Pacific
Railway, says that existing statutes 40 not
fer any power upon the Executive to enforce
the law; that the law Itself 10 ambiguous aud that Is
desirable that II should be made explicit; also
that Congress desires tue Executive to
take any steps In the premises. either 70
ascertain whether unlawful determinations arc
made by the Union. Pacific or 10 institute
proceedings against that company by quo warranto,
further legislation VIII be necessary the statutes
now IN force authorizing such proceedings apply 10
wholly different subjects Il Is expected that bills
will be introduced Immediately TO remove any am.
bguities IN the present law, also TO enable the
Executive TO enforce IL
THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT TO BE rNvKsTI-
GATED.
The Banking and Currency Committee adopted q re-
financial operations OF the Treasury and the requisite
authority 10 send for persons and papers will 10 asked
from the House. This step Is supposed TO have been
taken IN pursuance OF the Oft repeated charges OF
gross Irregularities In the Treasury Department
ACTION OF THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE.
Tho session Of the Ways and Means Committee to-
day was devoted exclusively to the reference Of .
large number OF bills TO appropriate ub.commtteea
Among the number the ono recently introduced
In the House TO popusrze the four per cent loan.
The committee authorized and requ ssted MI Sayier
favoraby report to the House bill empowering the
Secretary OF the Treasury promptly the inter-
est due on the District IS bonds TIE Tariff and In
sernel Revenue bill not alluded to- Tomorrow
the committee Will hear tho statement OF the Now
York TOBACCO manufacturers protesting against The
proposed change in the tax on tobacco.
THE SALARIES OF LETTER CARRIERS.
Mr. waddelL chairman Of the House Committee on
Post Ollces, says that the Tor the rearrange.
ment Of the salaries OF letter carriers Is being
cred In his committee, and that he thinks will be
favora0ly acted upon and speedily reported to the
House, and that It will pass there II will have tho
effect Of equaizing salaries, and 10 certain extent
will increase The pay Of some OF the three grades
TEE PACIFIC RAILROAD PROJECTS.
The House Committee the Pacific railroads today
agreed 10 hear on Friday next the argume Of the
represen OF the Southern Pacific aud Texas Pacific
Railroad projects. and to continue the hearing until
the advocates have fully presented their Vows
THE APPROPRIATION BILLS.
Tho Military Academy bill--the FIRST Of tho appro.
prat,on bills for the ensuing fiscal year-was finished
to-day, and Mr. Durham was Instructed 10 repors IL
tomorrow. The Naval Appropriation bill Is well
IS on the subcommittee, has delayed It a little.
There will, however, be no delay IN the reporting Of
the Post Office asd Diplomatic and Consular bills.
NOT WILLING TO HAVE PUBLISHED.
There strong desire to get al the letter of Secre
tary Schurz to OK Indian Commissioner Smith Mr..
Schprz asked for a copy Tor publication to-day
but replied that IL was a letter which mainly con-
cerned Mr. Smith, and that while he had no objection
TO It's publication, II was necessary to ask Mr. SMITHS
consent Mr.. Smith was asked for tho letter this
evening, but refused to give 1t.
THE EXPRESSIONS AND ExACTIoNs OF IN
vENroRs.
Congressman Baker, OF Indiana, to-day appeared
before tho House Committee on Patents and urged
favorable report upon pending bill to relieve the
purchaser OF patented articles from tho cxactions and
oppression OF inventors and their agents. stating tina,
tho people in his State were constantly annoyed by
the demands oil parties claiming to DO authorized 60
collect royalties, and that the system had become
crying evil.
THE FREQUENCY OF FIRES AS EXPLAINED by
~., . AN INSURANCE AGENT. ,.,........
General Banks relates that during bis recent trip
from Boston to Washington he conversed with tho
agent Of Of the leading Hartford Are insurance
companies who was complaining Of the extraordinary
drain being made upon the resources OF the Insurance
companies In all parts Of the country by claims for
insurance growing out OF disastrous fires The ques-
ton was asked by enera Banks If there was any ex-
PLANTATION for the frequency Of these ores, and the
agent replied:-
'.Our companies do not TO thoroughly nvesti.
cato the cause, bet II Is fact that tho warehouses
and establishments Of solvent firms are seldom do.
stroyed by IRE"
The inference can be drawn that tho incendiary
torch Is the speediest relief for embarrassed mcr.
chants