The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-10
DELAY THE
ONLY HOPE
Danger That the Funding
Bill Will Pass at
This Session.
SCHEME TO HURRY IT
THROUGH.
Perkins and Bowers Fear That
Huntington's Lobby Will
Triumph.
CALIF0RNIANs READY FOR THE
CONTEST.
Will Talk Against Time to Pre-.
vent a Vote on the
Measure.
CALIFORNIANs READY FOR THE
CONTEST.
Will Talk Against Time to Pre-.
vent Vote on the
Measure.

WAOdlNOION, ~. u, Dec. S.-Oen-
ato- Perkins said to THE CALL corre-
spondent tonight that in his opinion the
Pacific roads refunding bill would pass at
this session of Congress. He is mem-
Der of the steering committee of the Sem
ate, and no one realizes better than he the
desperate efforts that are being made TO
bring the bill up.
On the other hand Judge Mcguire is full
Of hope.
II think it ought to be easy TO defeat the
bill in the Senate" said he, ''for the APP
preparation bills will occupy most all of
the time of the short session. This meas
ure will require vast deal of discussion,
continued Judge Mcguire, with signifi-
cant twinkle in his eye, land if its discus
son is prolonged, of course that is just SO
much time consumed"
But no Senator would have the hardi-
hood to block the passage of the regular
appropriation bills, would he2" inquired
THE CALL CORES spondent.
II don't know what any Senator intends
to do,' replied the Congressman; ''but if
1 were Senator 1 should insist that the
report of the Pacific Railroads Committee
be read in its entirety for the information
OF the Senate. After its reading / think
| the bill would be defeated
Whenit was suggested to Senator Per-
kins tonight shat there would be very little
time in which to accomplish any legisla-
ton at this session beyond the passage of
the regular appropriation bills and that
considerable time might be occupied in the
discussion of the refunding bill to the det-
riment of the appropriation bills, he inti-
mated that it would not be wise policy to
adopt fiiibustering tactics which would re-
tard or endanger the passage of the regu-
lar appropriation bills. Senator Perkins
is very earnest in his desire to defeat the
bill, but hesitates to use filibustering tao
tics. Senator White is engaged in the
trial oflawsuits at Los Angeles, and il was
said to-day by one of his friends that he
would probably not be here until after the
holiday recess.
1t is the programme OF the railroaders
to try and bring the bill up in the Senate
before Christmas. Chairman Powers of
the House committee said that he had
asked Speaker Reed and other members of
the Rules Committee to bring in special
order to bring up the bill in the House on
January 5, and that three days be allowed
for debate.
Congressman Bowers returned to WASH
ington to-day. His impression on the
funding bills chances confirms THE CALLS
telegram of last night. He said:
II think the funding bill will pass both
Houses of Congress. That's the way it
looks to me to-day. have no doubt that
the Committee on Rules, to which goes
the resolution providing that the bill be
taken up for consideration on Januafy5
and three days debate be given, will be
reported favorably and adopted.
''Some fear was expressed that the bill
would be taken up this week or next. 1
do not think it will. There are many who
desire to speak on the bill. / may not get
time, but l am on record, and have been
heard by the committee on this bill and
by the House on the Reilly bill. Ny
opinion remains the same. My minority
report on the bill is wholly impersonal. 1
look at it only from the point of public
policy.
~ think the passage of the bill will
make the fact potent that corporations are
to have greater considerations and be ac-
corded privileges denied the individual by
t he Government and courts. The individ-
ual debtor is proceeded against by the
United States and stripped of every thing
be has without mercy, while in the case of
these powerful corporations the Govern
ment hesitates to enforce the law and pro-
poses q relief never extended to the small
creditor. It's bad lesson to give the
people of the United States. That the
passage of the bill will insure the con-
tinuance Of Grievous monopoly upon the
people of the Pacific Coast is a matter that
great majority of the East know or seem
to care little about. shall vote against
the bill and speak against it, if | am ac-
corded an opportunity.
"What a commentary it would be upon
the intelligence, the patriotism and sense
OF Justice of the Congress that should pass
and the executive that should approve
this so-called funding bil which practi-
cally makes q present from the United
States treasury of $100,000,0 ,0G0 and re-
fuses to consider or pass or approve bill
appropriating an equal sum for the con-
struction OF the Nicaragua canal which
will allow the people of the eastern and
western parts of this country to trade with
each other, and which would result in a
saving to the people of the United States
of more than its real cost each year.
Il would like to get my bill (Which is
on the calendar) or any bill through to
settle upon just terms the matter OF the
ownership OF patented lands within the
public reservations, and l shall use every
effort to secure the passage of the mineral
land bill.
"How did ! come TO be beaten when my