Evening star., 1897-04-29
IN CONGRESS TO-DAY
6enats and Eosss Both Hold Brief Ses-
Gsns.
The UpReP AOdy Was Deluged with
Resolutions-TO Investigate
the Mfssissippi Floods.

The question Of whether business was to
be done by the Senate this week was raised
today by Mr.. Pettigrew (SDD when the
Senate met.
Mr.. Pettigrew proposed that the Senate
direct a conference on the Indian appropria.
tion bill.
Mr. Chandler N.H). however. gave no
tice that he would object to any business
being done because there was a general
understanding that none should be taken
Up during the absence Of many senators in
New York to attend the ceremonies of dedi-
eating the Grant monument. Other sena-
tors protested that there had been no such
agreement made.
Leases of OIL Lands.
Thereupon Mr.. Quay (Pa.) suggested that
before the Indian bill was disposed of there
should be an investigation of the leases of
the OIL lands OF the Seneca Indians of New
York. rennarking that the senate should
bed of valuable interests.
A message from the President transnit
ting the report Of the commission to adj
Just see boundary line between the United
states and Mexico west of the Rio Grande
was read.
Then Mr.. Quay presented a resolution
calling upon the Secretary of the Interior
Tor information as to whether the leases
SA tbC DSHSIdS OAi ldnQS na0 been made In
the usual manner and whether there had
oeen any corruption. 1t was agreed to
without debate.
During the presentation Of memorials Mr..
Spooner (Wis) offered one from several
thousand men who work for wages In the
lumber districts Of Wisconsin" asking for
the enactment of the lumber schedule of
the Dingley bill.
The Senate was quite delueed with reso-
buttons.
The MisSissippi Floods.
Mr.. Vest (Mo) offered a resolution for a
comprehensive inquiry by the commerce
committee of the Senate into the causes of
and remedies for the Mississippi floods.
and said he would call 1t up at the next
meeting Of the Senate
The resolution follows:
Resolved, That the committee on COM
merce Is hereby instructed to make full
examination and inquiry as to the follow
ing questions and report thereon to the
Senate by bill or otherwise, on the first day
or the regular session In December next:
What are the causes of the disastrous
floods in the Mississippi river and its
tributaries, and how can such floods be pre-
vented or diminished?
II such floods are the result to any extent
OF the destruction of timber upon or near
the headwaters Of the said river or It's
tributaries, what measures should be
adopted to prevent such destruction, and
whether reservoirs to hold the waters
caused by rain or the rapid melting of
snow on or near said hea1waters should
by the sudden precipitation Of the rain or
snow water into the streams flowing from
the regions where the sources of the Mis-
sissippi arc located?
Whether said reservoirs, IL their con-
struction should be deemed necessary
could not also be utilized for the irrigation
OF arid lands In the vicinity of such reser-
voirs?
Whether the outlet system. by which II is
proposed to furnish avenues through which
the waters of the Mississippi river can es-
cape in times Of flood, is practicable or ex-
pedient?
Whether the present system Of improy-
ing the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, un-
Ger which It is sought to confine the wa
tiers within the banks of said rivers by
means or leveeS. together with jetties at
inherent localities to increase the arosiye
power of the current so to protect the
banks and deepen the channel. should be
continued?
What has been the effect upon naviea-
tion and commerce of the jetties at the
mouth of the Mississippi river and what
Is the present condition of said jetties and
their probable future?
Whether the Mississippi and Missouri
river commissions should be continued in
existence, and IL continued what amend
ments should be made to the statutes Gre
atlng such commissions and defining their
duties and power?
What legislation Is necessary TO prevent
the enormous destruction Of property by
floods in the Mississippi river and its trib-
utaries. and what amount of money should
be appropriated by Congress for the es-
tabhshment and maintenance Of systematic
improvements and safeguards?
Mr.. Pettigrew followed with a resolution
calling on the commissions of labor for in
formation as to the cost of producing 1000
feet (board measure) of white pine lumber.
the answer to include the cost of work in
the woods and in the mill. both In the
ynyf Tod fokA r1 In H. N1,l-
adopted with the addition Of a question
proposed by Mr.. Frye (Me.), concerning the
cost Of stumpage.
A resolution was offered by Mr.. Morgan
(Ala.) and adopted. requesting the Presi-
dent, If not Incompatible with the public
interests. to transmit to the Senate all cor
respondence with the consul general and
consuls in Cuba since the beginning Of the
war. not heretofore published.
Then at 1892 pm. the Senate adjourned
TIL Monday.