New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-12-18
IN AND OUT OF CONGRESS.
INVESTIGATION OF THE RAILROAD
POOLING AGREEMENT
FIFTY THOUSAND CHILDREN MADE ORPHANS BY
MAssACREs IN ARMENIA-THE SOLDIERS
HOME INoCIRY-A STATUE OF MR.
BLAINE PROPOSED-NOMINA-
TONS CONFIRMED.

BLAINE PROPOSED NOMINA-
TONS CONFIRMED
Washington. Dec 17.-The Senate Committee on
Interstate Commerce. charged with the duty under
Senator Chambers resolution of investigating the
alleged pooling arrangement Of the Joint Traffic
Association held Us first meeting this morning and
heard District Attorney Macfarlane Of the South
ern District Of New-York. About a year and hair
ago the Attorney General requested by the
Senate committee to institute proceedings against
the proper persons for forming pooling arrange
mcnt and other violations OF the Interstate Com
mcrce law and TO make all such volators of the
law parties defendant in the actions thus brought
The Attorney General directed District-Attorney
Macfarane to begin proceedings In his district. ana
that official before the committee TO relate the
status of the He said that he brought suit In
the Circuit Cour, Of the Southern District Of New
York to onjoln the Traffic Association from putting
It's ayr cement into effect declare IL to be
lawful. The case argued deliberately. but the
bill dismissed and tho Government had APP
pealed TO the Circuit Court Of Appeals where II was
now pending. Mr. Chandler. member Of the con-
mitcc. has had considerable correspondence with
District-Attorney Macfarlane and the Attorney
General In regard to this proceeding. and the qucs
lions propounded by him to Mr.. Macfarlanc this
morning led to the inference that there was a sus-
picion in Mr.. Chambers mind that the case had not
ne''n pushed 's zeaousy ana argued as apy as thc
interests involved demanded. This intimation was
rthl sup possible was taken ana th' rights Oh me
Government carefully guarded. The testimony de-
trial five out Of the eight judges considered them
selves disqualified from sitting. owing to their
forming the Joint Traffic ASSOCIATION. som" Of the
judges owning stock. Judge McComb objected 10
sitting on this account. but subsequently sold his
stock IT was finally agreed. however that Judge
should hear the case This wa done and shsr
quently Judgment was taken against the United
States. When asked why he brought the suit in "A
Mr.
Macfarlan" said that fact known until
soniher psc Of " NAE t Ty pror mr
place. however. he continued because IT there
and the agreement which constituted the alleged
violation Of the law had been consummatcd This
In hrief; was the testimony that was deduced and
repeated and elaborated several times In answer TO
questions from various members Of the committee
No action was taken. and the committee adjourned
TO meet at the call OF tho chairman.
Fifty thousand Armenian children made orphans
by the Turkish massacres is the Official estimate
received AT the State Department, from United
States Consul Bergholtz AT Frzeroum a report re-.
cevcd to-day from tho Consul dated November 81
shows that tho missions considering means Of
relief and that the British Government contom-
plates sending widows and heir children 10
Cyprus. The report IS follows. The number Of
Armenian children under twelve years Of age made
orphans by tho massacres OF 1895 is estimated by
the missionaries at 'oeo. Tho question % wha,
shall b" done with these orphans is receiving the
attention 81 the Christian world The American
Board u Commissioners FOR Foreign Missions IL
giving III" matter serious thought. As far as I am
awar" IN" BOARD has formulated no general plan
OF relief although 81" question ~ creating orphan
ages. clothing factories ana industrial institutions
Is under consideration. German charitable or
religious societies are preparing - establish Indus
trial orphan a-ylums At OOrpha '.sarca. and else
where. and tn Kaiserswcrth Dcncone-sos 81 Ger
many have made provision for receiving Armenian
orphans at SMYRNA and thirty have been sent there
from hcrc Tho British Govornmen' or III Am
hassador NJ constautinople has initiated i NOV
Incnt leading toward settling number OF widows
ara their children the island Of Cyprus. more
province Of Erzeroun. which number in the cities
Of Erzcrouin. Erzngan and Haibouri zoe who are
Erzoroum there lG widows with 5oD children. in
Erzns1a 10 Widow y,h ~ Children snS a. sai;
Baibourt are In particularly distressing circum-
stances. rs male major remaining No active
philanthropic movement. ! understand beyond re-
qucsiing the Relief Commute" 81 the province 10
ascertain If the widows are willing to leave. think
the Offer will BE- gladly accepted
The absence Of President Cleveland from Wash
ington destroys the chance OF the employees OF Con
press getting advance pay tomorrow under the
io!n, resolution sent to the White House to-day.
by that resolui tho dshursing officers. in accord
ance with the usual custom were authorized TO pay
tho President returns to sign the joint resolution
the proposed legislation cannot be made effective.
Secretary Morton. accompanied by Mr.. Fisher.
Minister Of Agriculture for the Dominion OF Canada.
was al the Capitol to-day visiting Senator'S and
Representatives.
Mr.. woodnan O7ep.. I'D introduced in the House
to-day a bill TO amend the section OF the Revised
Statutes relative neutrality which prohibits
military expeditions against people AT peace with
the United States He proposes 70 add 10 this Sec
ton the following: "Provded That nothing herein
contained shall be considered construed apply
Ing to applicable TO the supplying means for
charitable purposes, for hospital stores and ined-
wounded destitute or otherwise helpless dis
abled." The passage OF the measure would allow
the shipment OF FOOD. medicines ana cIo'h'lS W
Cuba.
General j. &. Breckenridge. Inspector-Gcncral OF
the Army appeared this morning before the special
committee investigating the management Of the
Leayenworth Soldiers Home He had supervision
of the accounts the various homes and Inspected
their personnel. lie had Inspected the Lcaven-
worth Home annually since 1889. In reply TO
question by Mr. Blue of Kansas. he said the most
objectionable feature of the coils and guardhouscs
at Leavenworth was that they were underground.
The cells were also smaller at this home than at
others The "Kceley cure was a marked feature
al the Lcayenworih branch-so marked. In fact. ~
appear TO him questionable. ana ne had started
TO look into the matter Heing told by the supern-
t.ndent OF the Home that the cure was private
matter he took the rintendcnts statement re-
gar,Iing II and dropped his inquiry. He noticed
"a !, IL in his annual report The Home authorities
had criticised him for so doing: and Colonel smith
had asked him by what authority he had made the
reference.
Mr. Bull CRcp, II. - introduced In the House to-
dav bill appropratng $4,000 for the erection OF 4
statue OF James q. Blaine In the city of Washing
ton.
The Powers bill. providing fer a settlement Of the
Indebtedness Of the Pacific railroads, will be
brought up in the House shorty after the hoiday
recess II said to-day that debate on Inc
measure will begin on January B.
The Senate to-day confirmed the following nom
nations: Macgrane COKE OF Nc"-iorh' 10 DE Mh-
,s,er IN Guatemala and Honduras. Charles a.
prou,v Of Vermont TO be Interstate Commerce
Commissioner United States consuls-Isaac NJ
Elliott, of N.w-York. at La Guayra, Nenezuea
Iosonh l. Uancc of New York. at Cardonas. Cuba
Of sccreiarY OF legation