The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1886-04-07
From the Capital

WAsHINGTos, April q. - Samuel
Gompers, president of the legislative
committee of the Federation of Trades
and Labor Unions of the United States
and Canada, addressed the House COM
mittee on labor to-day in favor OF the
bill to incorporate trades unions.
The House committee on ways and
means to-day received the administra-
tive tariff bill from the printer and
resumed its consideration. A number
of minor changes in the administrative
portion of the bill were made. Hemp
se=d for agricultural purposes" was
put on the free list, and the duty on
core age OF all kinds was redu ed cent
per pound. The provision relating 10
the Importation of fish was laid aside on
account of the absence of Representa-
tive Mayberry. With this exception
the bill is practically completed and
will probably be ready to report
to the House on Thursday next.
Solicitor-General Goode was before
the Pan Electric investigating com
mittee again to-day. On cross exami-
nation by Mr.. Ranney he stated that
he was not aware of using any undue
or unusual haste in ordering a suit
against the Bell Company, neither had
he given any thought to the motives of
the attorney who offered TO appear in
the suit without any compensation
from the government. If he had known
of the attorneys connection with the
Pan-Electric Company and an applica-
ton for suit had been made. his action
would have been the same rs il was.
Didn't it occur TO you," asked Mr..
Kramer, that the Bell patent had been
the subject OF many decisions OF the
courts and had withstood all charges Of
fraud, and this was pretty late day 10
set up a fraud" No" replied the wit
ness firmly, land want to say further
that do not know that the Bell cor
pany was hedged about with such iii
yinity that it could not be brought into
court ike other companies. There is
one point l desire TO make clear and
that is the Attorney-General had no
more to do with the institution OF this
suit than any other member of the COM
mItteo."
The Senate, in executive session to-
day, confirmed the nomination of
Henry Vongnaud. of Louisiana, 10 be
secretary OF the legation at Paris; John
ID. Oberly, of Illinois. and Charses
LYMAN, OF Connecticut. to be civil
service commissioners and 5. VI. Stoks
lager, of Indiana. TO be assistant com
missioner Of the general land Offices.
Senator Morrill, reported from the
finance committee. the resolution
declaring upon the authority OF the
Secretary OF the Treasury that there
are no papers in the Department Affect
ing the moral character or the official
record OF any OF the suspended Internal
Revenue collectors about whom the
committee has made inquiries. The
resolution. Senator Morrill, said. was
adopted by unanimous vote OF the
committee.
Commissioner of Railroads Johnston.
appeared before the Postoffice commit
tee OF the House to-day, TO explain the
attitude assumed by the department in
the matter OF the alleged discrimination
by the Pacific Railroad Companies III
favor of the Western Union Telegraph
Company. He said that the Baltimore
& Ohio Telegraph Company had 50
licited the aid of the government in
compelling the Pacific Z silroad com :.
pany to allow then 20 use their wires on
ike terms with the Western Union. hnt
that the Interior Department felt thai
lit bad no suthority in the case. II
Congress should see st to confer the
necessary authority on the department.