The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-11-18

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has been built I'd and is maintained by
a similar system OF subsidies. and that
siniess the United States proposes dciiber-
ately to Ing In the race 1t must adopt the
same methods It was only with dif-
nculty that the enthusiastic friends OF this
measure were induced TO refrain from
pushing IL TO a consideration and passage
at tine last session. They finally con-
scented to let the measure go over until
this session, with the understanding that
n shall be acted on without undue de-
lay. There does not appear to be any
question but II will pass in each House
by substantial majorities whenever a vote
s reached The measure viii take several
millions annually from the treasury, and
divide IL between new and existing lines
and vessels engaged in the carrying trade
between the United States and foreign
countries on a basis OF speed and tonnage,
and under conditions that will enable the
government III the event OF war TO take
possession OF the vessels prohting from the
subsidies.
There are n number Of bills reported IA
vorabiy to the Senate that aim TO secure
TO the people pure food. water. drugs, etc.
Senator Mason has reported one TO prevent
the manufacture Of adulterated food. Sen
ator Proctor has reported one TO prevent
the false branding or marking CT food or
dairy products as to the State or Terri
tory in which they are made or produced
Representative Sherman has reported the
same bill favorably to the House Sena-
tor Gallinger has reported favorably 10
the Senate a bill TO regulate the pToduc-
ton and sale of milk and cream in and for
the District of Columbia Senator Vest has
1avor2Dly reported a bill for the lnVeSu-
cation OF pollution of water supplies. In
the House Representative Barham has re-
ported favorably a bill TO prevent the
adulteration. misbranding and Imitation OF
foods beverages. candies, drugs and con-
dimcnts IN the District of Columbia and
the Territories and for regulating inter-
singular, will have TO take chances that
are not of the best for consideration and
passage in what remains Of this Congress.
XXX
Legislation of some sort for the army
will have TO be enacted at this session.
The army now numbers about 1900 men.
about S.. 600 regulars and $4,000 volunteers.
but as the law stands the whole force will
be reduced to the slender number in serv-
Ice prior TO the Spanish war-about 5000
men, This latter number has long been
recognized as too small to form even
nucleus in times of emergency and will
have to be increased. Any general legiS-
lation for the army will involve the whole
question OF reorganization, and Congress
may not want TO go into il at the coming
short session. In that event IL Is intended
10 tide matters over by the adoption of a
resolution continuing the existing army
law for a year. which would carry ii over
until June 30, 1902.
large increase in the naval establish
ment will undoubtedly be authorized. The
Navy Department will ask for thirty-two
new vessels, comprising three 15.0OO-ton
battleships. two 15.OOO-ton armored cruis-
ers, six 2,OOO-ton gunboats, six 6OO-ton gun
boats, ten 200-ton gunboats, three 1900
ton golfers. one 7.000-tOn repair ship and
one 1.0O0-ton marine transport. The board
of construction has decided to omit all
yxrha fIFfQ CtIh-
marine, which were recommended by the
general naval board of which Admiral
Dewey Is the head. In other respects the
recommendations of the two boards are
practically the same. Congress will have
20 decide as to the carrying out of this
plan of naval Increase There viii be some
Increase whether or not il reaches the
recommendations.
The new census of course, devolves on
Congress the duty of making a new appor-
tionment of representatives among the
States. Just what the basis of representa-
ton will be no one knows, but it is apt to
be in the neighborhood of 100000. 1t will
hardly be less than that figure and it is
not likely TO be fixed above 10000. The
former figure would add some twenty
members 10 the House. while the latter
would leave II about as ii Is. There is no
desire TO increase the number OF represent
atives materially, but, on the other hand.
representation. These are the two points
that will have TO be kept steadily i'm view
The House now has $40 members. The new
apportiOnment may shove the number up
20 375 more. In that case the floor of
the House. already uncomfortably crowd
ed, will become packed, or else desks for
members will have to be done away with
Chairs or benches, without writing desks
with reading and writing rooms in the
rear, was always desired by former Speak
er Reed while he in Congress. If the
number of members increases much either
this plan will have to be adopted or the
chamber in which the House meets will
have TO be enlarged.
There are many other measures that
really ought to be acted upon. some of
which have been favorabIy reported TO one
House or the other. Among these are he
carefully-considered bill reported by Sen
ator Nelson providing for a Department of
Commerce, the head of which is TO have a
seat I'm the Cabient: the bill to provide
Geographic communication between the
United States. Hawaii. Guam, the Philip
pines. Japan and China; Representative
Adams's bill for the reorganization of the
consular service; a bill establishing two
''big tree" parks in California; bill pro-
viding for the gathering, preservation and
printing of historical records in the vari-
GUS States, and any number of other pub
lie bills. 10 say nothing Of private and pen
sion bills that ought to be disposed of one
way or the other.
EDWARD WRIGHT BRADY.