The record-union., 1894-12-06
IN THE HOUSE.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.-The House to-
DAY adopted special order setting aside
each day after the morning hour for the
consideration of the pooling bill, the order
to continue until the bill has been dis
posed OF, but no ito interfere with confer
ehce reportssand appropriation bills. The
railroad and shipping interests are greatly
interested In this measure, and the MEM
oers gave close attention to the OPEN
ing speech made by Patterson in its be-
hall. Before the discussion Of this bill
began the House passed three bills-the
printing bill, a bill to prevent the free use
OF timber on public lands and to prevent
tne granting of permits in the future, and
another TO authorize the Secretary of the
interior TO receive unsatistied military
bounty land warrants under the Act of
1895, at the rate of 81 % per acre, in pay
ment of land located under subsequent
Acts
Journal English of North Carolina asked
Unanimous consent for the consideration
OF bill.
Sayres of Texas objected, whereupon
English promptly objected to resolution
offered by Blair of Ohio, calling on the
President to furnish the ii House, if not in
compatible with the public interest, with
all correspondence telegraphic and other
wise, between this country and China,
relating TO the war between China and
Japan.
The resolution went to the Committee
on Foreign Affairs.
Mcttae (Dem.l of Arkansas, from the
CommIttee on Public Lands, called up
the bill to prevent the free use of timber
on public lands, and to prevent further
issue of permits for cutting timber in
Wyoming. New Mexico and Arizona.
The section of the bill repeating the Act
OF March 3. 1891, fixing Limitation of five
years against the United States for the
Institution of suits to vacate land patents,
met strenuous opposition, and it was
amended so as to exempt patents issued
to individual settlers. AS amended, the
bill was passed.
A bill authorizing the Secretary of the
Interior to receive unsatisfactory military
bounty land under the Act OF 1858 at the
rate OF Sl 70 per acre in payment of lands
located under subsequent Acts was also
passed.
richardson Dem.) of Tennessee then
called up the conference report on the
printing bill, which was under consdera-
ton yesterday. The report was adopted
-136 to %.
Cultivate, from the Committee on
Rules. thereupon presented the special
order Tor the consideration of the railroad
pooling bill each day after the morning
hour until disposed OF. The order was
agreed to without division.
Inc object of the bill is to authorize
competing common carriers, subject to
the provisions of the Interstate Commerce
ACT, 10 enter into contracts for the divis-
ION OF their gross or net earnings, and to
secure more expeditions and efficient
enforcement of that law. Applications
lor pooling. together with the contracts,
must, according to the terms of the bill
De Illeo with The commission. and unless
dlSapproved become operative twenty
days after filing. Another section re-
qulres annual reports from railroads, in
cludIng answers to all questions ed by
the commission, with fines for default.
Patterson (Dem.) of Tennessee, who has
charge OF the bill, dwelt at length on the
oppressiveness OF illegal rate-cutting for
the benefit OF large shippers, citing as an
example the Armour Beef Packing Conn
pany of Chicago. That combine, he said,
handled, IN dollars, more beef than the
| entire cotton crop of the United States
amounted to. The rates made for this
corporation practically drove small COM
! petltors from the field, and fixed the price
| OF every bullock on every farm in the
| South and West. Under the present law,
ne said. IL was impossible to secure con-
Vlctlons for violations OF the anti pooling
| section, because both parties to the cut
rate were equally guilty before the law,
and one could not be made to testify
| against the other. The pending bill
would compel testimony, and did not aim
at the punishment of the clerk or agent,
| but OF the railroad company ITSELF
| cannon did not think the admins
| tratve functions and responsibilities
should be shouldered on the courts, but
that the revoking of pooling arrange
ments should be within the control of the
| commission.
| Upon the conclusion of Mr.. Patterson's
remarks the House, at o'clock, ad-
| journed.