The record-union., 1891-12-16
Special to the REcoRp-uN1ox.
Lands In Wyoming.


WASHINGTON, Dec. Ex-senator Cul-
lom introduced to-day a bill for the
adoption and use of uniform standard
car-coupler, and regulating the operation
and control of freight trains used in in
terstate commerce, and for the greater
safety of railroad employees. 1t provides
that all common carriers whose duties in
clude the coupling Of cars, and who are
members of established organizations of
railway employees, may, within six
months after the passage of this Act, vote
upon choice OF automatic car-couplers
Such coupler may be of vertical type,
must be so devised as to couple by inn
pact, and dispense with any person going
between cars TO couple or uncouple.
Every common carrier is to be entitled to
one vote for every freight car owned,
leased or controlled, and the employees
entitled in the aggregate to one-third as
many votes as may be cast by all COM
mon carriers, the Interstate Commerce
Commission to have the power to
decide the validity of the votes
cast. If not less than 100000 votes
are cast. and the entire vote for any par
tlcular coupler is not less than 100000,
the Commission shall certify to these
facts to the President, who shall issue a
reclamation declaring the coupler chosen
70 be a standard safety-coupler for use in
interstate commerce. In case no choice
IS made the President shall appoint a
Commission Of five competent persons to
determine the coupler best to be used.
All carriers must equip at least ten per
cent. each year OF the number Of freight
cars used, and also equip every engine
with driving-wheel brake. The Conn
mission shall invite bids from inventors
OF couplers, stating what they will accept
from the United States for their patents,
and upon the purchase of the patent by
the Government the coupler may be used
or manufactured by anybody free. The
salary of the Commissioners is fixed at
5000 year.
Senator Cullom also introduced a bill
amendatory Of the Interstate Commerce
Act, providing that schedules. tariffs. and
agreements between the railroads filed
with the commission shall be prima facie
evidence of Investigations by the COM
mission and in all judicial proceedings;
shat the production of testimony shall be
according to established rules of evidence
obtaining in chancery sides of Circuit
Courts, with the exceptions that answers
of defendants to answers OF complaints
shall have no weight as evidence. On
appeal to the Circuit Courts the hearing
shall be confined to the record presented
from the commission, except where the
party has a right to trial by jury under
the Constitution.
Senator Villas of Wisconsin introduced
q bill amendatory of the Act repeating
the timber culture laws. The first
amendment strikes out the requirement
that person must be an actual resident
TO be allowed to make final proof; sec
ond, striking out the provision that no
person be entitled to make entry of desert
land except he be a resident of the State
or Territory in which such land is To-
Gated.
Senator Sanders to-day introduced
bill constituting two land districts in,
Montana, one to be called the Southern,
with an office at Dillon, and the other the
Northern, with an Office at Fort Benton.
he also introduced bill appropriating
100000 for the erection of public build
ing at Butte. Also the same amount for
q building at Helena.
Senator Dolph has introduced a bill for
the establishment of an assay Office at
Portland, Or, to cost 100000; also bill
for one at Baker City, Or.
Senator Dolph also introduced a bill for
the relief Of the citizens of Oregon, Idaho
and Washington who served with United
States troops in the war against the Nez
PerceS, Bannacks and Shoshone Indians,
and for the relief of the heirs of those
killed in such service.