New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-16
I'm AND OUT OF CONGRESS-
THE NICARAGUA CANAL BILL TO BE
TAKEN UP NEXT WEEK.
WORK ON THE NEW BATTLE-sHrPs TO BE RE-
sUMED-HOMEsTEADs on UNION PACiflo
LANDS - THE FIRE ON THE
PHILADELPHIA.

LANDS - THE FIRE ON THE
PHILADELPHIA.
Washington. JAN Is lowing TO the defeat OF .he
Pacific Railroad Funding bill In the HOUSE, VI.
Senate Republican Steering CGmmt,ee mas Canal bill
will he taken m next week and will have the risht
Of way as the unfinished business OF the oe'"''
The Steel Board which has been considering the
defective material furnished by the Carnegie COM
pany for the battle-ships Kearsarge. Kentucky
Illinois and Alabama. has recommended 10 oec'c
tary Herbert that the builders be permitted 10 30
ahead with the work on those vessels. ana III ca'e
of any plates developing weakness whiie o.''e
made OF the group of material to which such plate
belongs. when II no weakness Is shown the Group
entire group shall be rejected. Secretary Herpert
has approved the suggestion. and particularly a.
be laid or operations will be resumed
The delegation OF Bannock and Shoshone Indians.
of Idaho had a final conference with Indian Com
missioner Browning to-day in regard to the cessioh
OF portion OF their lands in the Fort Hall Keser-
vation Commission sent some time ago 70
negotiate with them. but the willy Indians hao
their doubts about the rights Of the CommssT or
and sent this delegation to Wasn,nsion 10 bad heen
properly authorized by the Government. ne Oil Oil
sent by the Government for that purpose and SAID
that he Of the opinion that they sad more an
home Tomorrow and treat with the Commission:
The lands involved are In the southern portion Ti
the reservation. and are said TO he not OF an asi-
cultural character. but may contain minerals
Secretary Francis to-day sent to the House, IN
reply to a resolution, a communication relating 70
the homestead entries on certain Union racine
Railroad land grants in Kansas. Replying to that
portion OF the resolution asking 1.-THE authority I'M
der which the land officers at Topeka pretended to
act in permitting entries to be made upon lahds
embraced within the grant," he says the land ofii-
had no authority to permit these entries, ana
that they called to account and directed to al
low no entries on these lands In reply to that part
of the resolution asking for the cause Of the oms.
sion to issue patents to lands thin the limits OF
has taken the position that as the railway COM
pany is In default to the Government on the pay,
from patent whatever lands were in the hands OF
the Government at the time Of the default. The
rights settlers he says, but 70 protect the Inter
ests of the Government. Lands SOLD by the ran,
road company to bona fde purchasers are patented
to them. and within the last Two O. months LANDS OF
this character aggregatlng 2OsO75 acres, IN Kan
en,ed.
The Houhe Committee Military Affairs to-day
ordered "A favorable report the bill introduced
by Mr.. Parker Rep., ~ j. to increase the eff
CLERGY Of the Army OF the United States and to
localize the recruiting Of regiments in time of war
The measure authorizes the President In time OF
to increase the number or enlisted men ana
noncommssioned officers in each troop OF cavalry,
battery Of artillery and company Of infantry TO
war strength not exceeding double the strength
provided by law To facilitate the raising and re-
cruiting of troops. the President in his discretion
may order each or any regiment OF the Army to
draw its recruits from State or States designated
by him. the troops so drawn to be counted as FORM
ing part of the quota Of troops from the State
called for by the United States.
Mr. Gett Rep.. Mass) introduced in the House
to-day n bill fixing the age for retirement from the
classified service Of the United States at slxty-fve
years. All offices to become vacant when the
persons holding them become sixty years OF
age. and no person more than sixty years old
Is 10 be eligible to appointment. The bill, how
ever is not TO apply TO Union veterans OF the late
war their widows.
The flagship Philadelphia returned to Callao to-
day on her return north from Valparaiso. A re-
mort was received at the Navy Department to-day
on the fire which occurred on that vessel as she
went into Callao several weeks ago Inc snip a,
the time was under forced draught, which caused
irnited cnders enter one or the Ventlatine
ducts whence the fire was conveyed 10 coai
bunker hole was burned through the deck over
tho bunker but the flames were easily extinguished,
with such slight damage that 1t was repaired IN
half day. THfo f
The House Committee on Public Buildings ana
Grounds to-day ordered favorable reports on Sen
ote bills authorizing public buildings at Tacoma.
Wash 10 cost 800 900; at Salem ore 10 COST
$4,000 and at Aberdeen 5 D. snwp a ia az t
rcport on the House bill appropriatlng Soeo Tor
building at Lockport. n. y, was also ordereu.
POTATOES SCARCE IN ALASKA.