Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-12-21
WORK OF CONGRESS.
Short Senate Session-.-The Cur.
rency Debate in the House.
REPORT BY FORTIFICATION BOARD.
The Commissionsr Of Railways. In His Re-
port, Recommends Tr.nsconttaental
Air Line from Kansas City to San
Disgo-Naval BurssuA

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was transacted, but not beyond the in
PRODUCTION Of bills, nothing Of conse-
quence was accomplished. Among the
bills introduced were the following:
To provide for telegraphic communica-
ton between the United States Of
America. the Hawaiian islands, Guam,
the Philippine islands, Japan and
China, and TO promote commerce; to
authorize the secretary Of the navy to
change the material used in the con-
struction Of the dry docks at League
island. Pa, and Mare islaud, Cal, from
timber to concrete or stone; for the
codifcation of the pension laws.
The republican senators will hold
caucus to-day to receive the report OF
their committee appointed at the last
caucus to make new committee as
signments The committee will also
report the creation Of four new commit
tees, and they have made arrangements
with the democratic committee for in
creased republican representation upon
the thirteen principal senate commit
tees. The four new committees with
their chairmen are: On the Philippine
islands, Senator Lodge; on Porto Rico
and the Pacific islands, except the Phil
ippines, Senator Foraker; on our rela-
lions with Cuba, Senator Platt, Conn.,;
on coast and insular survey, Senator
Foster.
The currency debate in the house
lasted from II o'clock yesterday morn
ing until lO:30 at night, with recess
OF three hours for dinner. The pres
sure for time to speak continued, as
most Of the members desire to make
contributions to the literature Of the
occasion. Much Of it, however, seems
to be for home consumption. There
has been very little cross-hring thus
far and no exciting or dramatic Incl
DENTS Among the speakers yesterday
we're Messrs. Benton and Coward, Of
Missouri. Mr.. Benton said he stood
with the democratic and populist par
ties in never-ending opposition to ex-
tending the powers Of the national
banks. Mr. Cowherd argued that the
bill would inevitably result in the sale
Of millions Of bonds to secure gold. So
far as known IL democrats, eight from
New York, two from Pennsylvania,
and one each from Maryland and Mas
sachusetts, will vote for the bill.
The house adopted a resolution for
holiday recess from Wednesday, De-
cember 30 to Wednesday, January 8.
Mr. Richardson, the minority leader,
asked that the house adjourn over
Thursday to give the members an OPP
portunity to participate in the Wash
ington memorial exercises, but Mr..
Payne, the majority leader objected,
saying that George Washington, if
alive, he thought would be in favor Of
the house proceeding with the trans
action Of its business.
REPORT BY THE FoRTIFICA1IoN BOARD.
Washington, Dec. IA. The fortitica-
ton board has made its annual report
to the secretary of war, showing the
progress m ade during the year in ex-
Fermentation with weapons of war.
There was a marked increase in the
number Of devices designed for air
navigation considered during the year.
Excellent results have been obtained
in the development of a satisfactory
high explosive and the perfection of an
apparently safe method Of throwing
large charges of nitro-gelatine from
service guns. Says the board: ut is
the opinion of the board that we are
distinctly in advance Of the best ex-
perrin entail progress in this direction
abroad"
hAlbNh1 0 hETohls
Washington, Dec. l4.-The annual
report of the commissioner of railways
states that the increase Of surplus as
sets over liabilities for 1899 over 1898
for the 20 land grant and bond-aided
J roads is $45, $3.50, OS9. The report re-
news last years recommendations for
a transcontinental air line railway
from Kansas City to San Diego. SINH
lar routes. the commissioner adds.
should be opened between the cities OF
Chicago and San Francisco, Chicago
and Seattle and Galveston and San
Diego.
CONSOLIDATION OF NAVAL BUREAUS.
Washington, Dec. IA. = Secretary
Long has taken the first step towards
carrying out his project for the con-
solidation Of the naval bureaus under
one head and has prepared bill to be
introduced Immediately in congress for
that purpose.
Futf