Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-01-20
AT THE CAPITOL TO-DAY.
The Reading Strike.

ITS MERITS DISCUSSED BY THE MEMBERS OF THk
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE.
The subject of the Reading Railroad strike came
up before the House committee on commerce
to-day through q request by the subcommit-
tee TO which had been referred the Ander-
son resolution providing for an inquiry into the
strike that 1t be discharged from the
further consideration Of the matter. As reason
for making this request the subcommittee stated
that IL regarded the subject as one or such grav-
1ty as to demand consideration at the hands OF
the full committee. After a short discussion the
request was granted and an earnest debate en-
sued upon the merits OF the proposition. 1t APP
pears that
THE COMMITTEE Is PRETTY EVENLY DIVIDED,
q number OF the committeeman fayoring an 1mme-
date inquiry into the strike, while, perhaps, as
many more take the ground that II the strike con-
Germs anything more than private interests,
and is properly subject for investigation by
the Government, the inquiry should be made
by the Interstate Commerce Commission, which
the matter will be further considered next Tues
day, when an EFFORT will be made to dispose OF the
resolution; It Is understood that delegation
from the Knights OF Labor will try TO secure
he ring upon that day to present their side OF the
ease.
The District i'm Congress.
PRAYING FOR PROHIBITION.
TWENTY-FIVE or thirty petitions, from various
parts OF the country, praying for prohibition In
the District OF Columbia have been referred TO the
House District committee.
WANTS THE ST. ELIzABETH HOSPITAL INVESTIGATED.
Representative spooner presented in the House
yesterday petition by Elizabeth Howell asking
for an investigation OF st. Elizabeth Hospital for
the Insane The petitioner states that on the 21st
o.. July, 1885, while temporarily residing In wash
tngton, she was invited TO take ride by near
relatives, and was conveyed TO the asylum under
the authority OF Drs. Fry and Muncaster, the lat
ter accompanying her and certifying that she was
insane. She was confined in the asylum for about
three months She states that during her lncar-
ceration she obtained knowledge OF the working OF
the asylum which she believes warrants an In
veSt1gat1On.
Capitol Topics.
DURING THE DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE
this afternoon Mr. Springer said that IL MI
Kelley stated that he demanded a fee for insert
true II the gentleman meant TO say that LIE pur
sued the case with all the skill and ability "
which he was possessed, he admitted 1t.
FOR PRESENTS FOR EsQuIMAux.
The House committee on commerce decided to
day to report favorably the bill authorizing the
Secretary of War to expend $1,000 In presents for
EsQuimauX.
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.
There was quite tempest in teapot in the
Senate wing OF the Capitol this afternoon Several
city policemen called and reported that they had
discovered that some of the files OF the Senate had
heen stolen After quite stir It was ascertained
that the alleged files or Official documents con-
sisted OF old credit bills and resolutions that had
been thrown away on the third floor and were
given to the laborer who sweeps out the senate
chamber.
Col L. Victor Baughman, formerly president OF
the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal and now con-
troler Of the state Of Maryland was at the Capitol
to-day.