Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-05

oioai -nouse OF otner form OF combination
may be seeking to evade, those provisions of the
interstate commerce act which were intended
70 secure to the people the benefits of low
Ireignt rates, as the result of competition
among carriers. The commission is requested
TO inform the House what legislation may be
most efectlve to prevent combinations for the
purpose OF fixing or maintaining agreed or
uniform freight rates, and to transmit q steno-
graphic report of the testimony taken.
By Mr.. Breckinridge Ky.): Making the in
ternational copyright bill q special order for
December 10.
THE POSTAL TELEGRAPH BILL
By Mr.. Rayner CMd.): Making the postal
telegraph bill special order for December IA.
NEW NAVAL VESSELS.
By Mr.. Cummings On. ": For the construc
tion OF two steel cruisers to be armed with
dynamite guns and torpedo throwers; also for
the construction Of two steel rams to be armed
with heavy-riied dynamite guns and torpedo
throwers.
THE ADMISSION OF NEW STATES.
Mr.. Springer Qll. asked unanimous consent
for the immediate consideration of resolu-
tion making the ''omnibus" bill. for the admis-
sion of Dakota, Montana, Washington. and
New Mexico, special order for to-day-the
bill to be considered from day to day until dis
posed of.
Mr.. Grosvener COhio) objected, remarking
that the gentleman from Illinois had not ap-
peared very anxious last session to admit Da-
kota.
THE EIaHT-HoUR L.w CLAIMS.
6Ip the consideration me ming hour the
66e proceeded to consider che Senate bill for
the adjustment Of the accounts Of laborers,
workmen, and mechanics arising under the
eight-hour law.
Mr. Tarsney, of Michigan, in charge of the
bill, briefly exp lained that the bill carried no
appropriation, but simply provided that the
workmen could go before the Court of Claims
and have there settled the question Of the legal
construction of the contract between them
selves and the government. If the govern
ment had incurred an obligation it was in
honor bound to pay it.
The hour having expired, the bill after de-
bate went over without action.
THE DISTRICT IN CONGRESS.
PAYMENTS TO THE SOLDIERS HOME HERE.
The following resolution, which was con-
sidered by unanimous consent and agreed to,
was offered this morning by Senator Plumb:
Resolced, That the Secretary of War be di-
rected to report to the Senate the amount of
payments made by the treasury of the United
States to the soldiers home at Washington
during each year of the last ten years on ac-
count OF the sources of revenue provided in
section OF chapter 25 Of the laws of 1851. en-
titled "An act to found military asylum for
the relief and support of invalid and disabled
soldiers OF the army of the United States" ap-
proved March 8, 1851, and also whether such
sums, added to the other sources Of revenue
available for the use of said home have been
and are adequate for the maintenance Of said
home, and if not, what additional amendment
is required for the purpose
my only object in offering the resolution"
said Senator Plumb to STAR reporter, twas
to open the way to securing direct appropria-
or fnff fha hav,, Trl H.,
law OF 1851 certain sum is deducted from the
pay of soldiers for this purpose, and to
the fund thus originated is added fines,
and the pay left behind by deserters. To trans
fer these moneys to the account Of the home
requires complicated and unnecessary clerical
machinery, and this want to see removed.
Let the appropriations be direct and definite,
then the home will not depend upon conting
encies for its support"
THE EQUITABLE GAsLIaHT AND FUEL COMPANY.
Senator Butler to-day introduced bill to in
corporate the Equitable gaslight and fuel COM
pany of the District of Columbia. The incor-
porators named are Charles L. MITCHELL Jacob
Bertschmann, William A. DeLong. Harry
Keene, P. j. Goodheart, Frederick w. Jones
am and Edward ". Sapartas. The capital stock of
the company is limited to $4,000, 900, and the
price of each share is fixed at 800. The GUS
tomary powers to issue and negotiate bonds are
conferred upon the board of directors which
is to consist of five stockholders, annually
elected as directors. The first board of direc-
tors will consist of Charles l.. Mitchell, Jacob
Bertschmann. William A. DeLong, Harry
keene and F. W. Jones, and they will hold
Office until the second Monday of January, $780,
Section of the bill empowers the company to
make and sell gas, to be made of coal, OIL
naphtha, tar, peat, pitch, or turpentine, or
other material, to be used for the purpose of
lighting and heating the city of Washington
and District of Columbia, or any streets or
houses therein; and to lay and maintain its
mains and pipes for conducting gas in any of
the streets, avenues, lanes, alleys, highways,
sidewalks and public places of the city and
District.
The bill was referred to the District COM
mittee.