Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-07
WORK OF THE COMMITTEES
Dropping the Board Of Indian Commits
aioners,
Increase of Artillery Favored-Pro-
gress on Diplomatic Bill-Fri.
day Night Sessions.

The House committee on Indian affairs
yesterday decided by a vote of to to
omit from the Indian Appropriation bill the
Item for carrying on the work of the board
OF Indian commissioners, made up Of
President Gates of Amherst College,
Bishops Whipple Of Minnesota and Walker
Of western New York, Messrs. P. c. Gar
rett Of Philadelphia, Darwin James Of
Brooklyn and others, who serve without
compensation beyond expenses. The board
was originally known as the peace commits
sion, and was Instituted under the Grant
regime for the avowed purpose Of guarding
against frauds in Indian contracts, etc. 1t
examines the bids for Indian supplies and
co-operates with the government author
tiles in protecting the Indians and the pub
lie against irregularities. The House COM
mittee felt, however. that the board was a
superf1uous adjunct to the public conduct of
Indian affairs.
The Senate committee on military affairs
ordered favorable report on the bill in
creasing the military force of the country
to the extent of two regiments of artillery.
The purpose of the bill is to afford a suffi-
cient number of men to protect the new
guns and mortars which are being put in
place. 1t was stated in the committee that
by next August there would be Isl guns
and 232 mortars, which would be entirely
without protection.
Work on the diplomatic and consular ap-
preparation bill was begun by the House
committee on foreign affairs. The bill has
no general features outside the usual pro-
visions it has for conducting the foreign
service
The House committee on invalid pensions
by a unanimous vote decided against aban-
doning the Friday night sessions for con-
sidering pension legislation. 1t Is expected
that the committee on rules will act on TINS
vote and retain this session.
At the meeting of the Senate committee
on Indian affairs a favorable report was
ordered on the bill prohibiting railroad
companies whose lines traverse Indian ter
ritory from charging more than three cents
a mile on passenger traffic. 1t was stated
that some of the companies now exact nVe
cents per mile.
The minority report Of the House COM
mittee on the judiciary on the bankruptcy
bill was submitted to the House yester.
day. 1t is signed by Messrs. Terry OF
Arkansas, De Almond of Missouri Under
wood of Alabama and Smith of Kentucky.
The minority members report that they
are unable to agree with the committee
in recommending 1.-THE amendment, in
name. but substitute, in fact" which the
committee has reported to the House.
The minority say they do not believe that
the bill as so amended. with the extensive
powers it confers on the federal courts. is
wise and just measure or one which
should be passed.
Representative Boutelle, chairman of the
House committee on naval affairs, return
ed yesterday, and work was begun on
the naval appropriation bill The import
ant questions of new ships and armor
plate will not be considered for some time,
the purpose being to settle first all the
regular items for carrying the naval
establishment, and then take up the more
serious questions. Secretary Long has sent
to the committee a large number of bills
covering various naval features. 1t has
been thought exDedient, however, to pro-
coed in the usual way to frame the bill.
2 no Of ha tn lA
mainly instrumental in maturing it, rather
than the suggestions from without Sec
rotary Long will be invited to appear be-
fore the committee, and all bureau chiefs
will have a hearing. Members of the COM
mittee say that the sentiment as to adii-
tional battle ships, cruisers or torpedo
boats has not yet crystallized, nor is any
line of action in view the vexed cues
adjustment of the government armor fac
tory.