New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-06
INDUSTRIOUS HOUSE COMMITTEES
PROMPT AND ENERGETIC ACTION ON AP
Preparation BILLS.

Washington Jan (SpecaD.-The House COM
mttees which are required to prepare the general
appropriation bills have been very industrious since
the beginning Of this session. and the House has
seconded their efforts with commendabie energy
and promptitude Five OF the bills were reported
and passed before the holiday recess, which was
record Of achievement never before equalled The
Legislative Executive and Judicial bill was re-
ported from the Appropriations Committee to-day.
and Chairman Hit and his colleagues OF the Com
mttee on Foreign Affairs have the Diplomatic and
Consular bill ready. The work OF the Committee
on Rivers and Harbors Ia well advanced. and a
bill will probably be reported within the next fort
night.
1t is Of course early to forecast with any de-
gree Of certainty what the total amount carried by
this bill will be or of what items It will be COM
posed. Conversations with several members OF the
committee however. both OF the majority and
minority encourage the belief that the proposed
Improvement Of the entrance to New-York Harbor
Will be recommended. with generous appropria-
ton and provision for the completion OF the work.
Tho preparation Of both the Army bill ana the
Navy bill IS necessarily delayed somewhat. the
former on account Of the uncertainty respecting
legislation for the increase of the military estab-
llshmert and the latter for similar reasons bearing
on the increase OF the Navy.
II had been hoped that the Joint Commission APP
pointed TO Investigate the subject of the cost OF
railway mail transportation would be able to finish
It's work and make a report TO Congress on Febru-
airy l. as provided In the resolution creating II. so
that It's recommendations could be taken into con-
sideration I'm framing the Postoffice Appropriation
bill but IL found that this will be mpra cticable
The Commission has collected a large OF
testimony and official Information. and more IL 10
be obtained all OF which must be reviewed slfted
and dgested before a report can he made.
The Com nittee on Appropriation has three more
bills prepare the Sundry civil. which Is the
largest and In some respects the most important;
the Fortincatons and tho General Deficiency bills.
on account Of the severe Illness Of Chairman Hull
OF the Military Affairs Committee the considera-
ton Of the Army Reorganization bill is temporarily
mittee opportunity tn have the legislative bill
disposed OF by the end OF this week early next
week. The bill Is an important one. carrying ap-
propriations for many thousand officers clerks and
4 other employees I'm the civil establishment. The
total amount recommended Is s.; .2Sl. which Is
mitted by the Secretary OF the Treasury. and sl03
rs less than the appropriation for the current
fiscal year The net increase In the number OF sala-
ries to be paid Is two hundred. but In number
OF cases salaries have been reduced Several pro-
visions OF the bill Will excite considerable comment.
made for the officers. clerks and persons employ ed
In the public service shall not be- available for the
compensation OF any persons permanently incapaci-
tated by age or otherwise FOR employment In such
service The establishment Of a ciy pension roll or
an honorable service roll the exemption OF any
Of the officers clerks and persons In tho public ser
vice from the existing laws respecting employment
| In such service. Is hereby prohibited"
An honorable service rolf was created In the
! Treasury Department several years ago. on which