The Portland daily press., 1900-04-11
Amendment Proposed to Restrict
Supply.
AS Usual It Was Voted
Down.
Agricultural Bill Passed About
As Reported.

| Washington, April 1o.-The House to-
day pssssd tine Agricultural appropris-
tion bill, substantially as reportsd. An
animated discussion arose over series OF
amendments offered by Mr.. Coriiss Of
Mich gan, restricting the distribution Of
free seeds and free vaociss.
Mr.. Corliss msintained that the govern
meat distri buttons Invaded the deld OF
privass enterprise. His various amend
ments failed, however, after extended de-
bate. An amendment by Mr.. Lattimer
Of South Carolina, was adopted inoreas'
log the supply OF farmers bulletins Is
sued By the agricultural department and
distributed by members Of Congress.
At the opening Of the session Of the
House today, MIR. Payne OF New York,
chairman Of the COMMITTEES on Ways and
means, reported back the Porto Rioan
tariff bill from that committee with the
recommendation that the Senate amend
msnts be ooncurred In. It was ordered
printed and placed on the calendar. A
lessolution was adopted which orders
che printing Of = special edition Of the
Year Book of the Department OF Agri-
culture for distribution ut the Paris ex-
position.
Mr.. Hepburn, chairman OF the commit
tee on commerce, asked for reprint OF
the Nicaragua canal bill.
Mr.. Wheeler Of Kentucky. asked wheth-
or 1t was the intention to consider the
canal bill at this session.
81 cannot answer that question:" rs-
piled Mr.. Hepburn. 'It is my purpose
TO bring IL up II ] can."
"How about the gentlsman's oolleaguesf
There is no oil jsotion on this side. Z"
"The gentleman knows as well IS l. !"
responded Mr.. Hapb urn, 'that no individ-
ual can state whether . bill will ne con-
sidersd. But will say that II oan
effect 1t 1t will be aonss'
Mr.. Powers Of Vermont, cailsd up the
bill to create q commission to make
settlement with the Sioux City and Pa
oific railroad Of its indsbtedpess to the
| United states. Mr.. Hepburn Of Iowa
supported tho bill which, he argued,
would bring about satisfactory settle
mente with the road. The road, he said,
was only about ITO miles long. Mr..
Shafroth Of Colorado, thought the bill
should be amended SO as to permit of
competition in the settlement of the debt
Of the road. The road was not impeeu
nious, he said. The last report Of the Pa
cifio Railroad commissioner showed that
| IL had earned three and one-hih per
cent net on Its entire Indebtedness. In
cluding It's debt TO the government,
principal and interest. Theie were four
roads which naturally compete for this
rosd. He offered an amendment which
was accepted, enlarging the powers Of
the commission go that it could receive
propositions irom any corporation, sell or
assign the government lien or do any
and all things necessary to sscure the
best settlement for the government. Mr..
Williams Of Mississippi, offered an
amendment, providing that the settlement
reached by the commission should be re-
ferred 20 Congress for approval and ac-
ceptance. This amendment was defeated
93 to 100, and the hill then passed.
The Senate amendments to the Indian
appropriation bill were non-concurrsd
1t, and Aeesrs. Sherman, Curtis and
Little were appointed conrsrses.
The House then resumed the considera-
tion Of the agricultural appropriation
bill, the pending amendment being one
offered by Mr.. Lattimer Of South Caro-
lima, to increase the appropriation for
farmers bulletins from ss5, 600 to s105. !.
QUO. The amendment was resisted by the
agricultural COMMITTEES and lively de-
bate ensued. but the amendment was
az reed to 81 to b5.
Mr.. Corliss OF Michigan, offered an
amendment to provide for the free oistri-
button of seeds providing that thinner
pals for the laboring people" be inolud-
ed In this distribution. He aaid this
was done in good faith as there was as
much reason to give dinner pals to one
GLASS as to give seeds to smother GLASS.
lie asserted also that the seed trust dis
posed of large quantities of worthless
seeds to che government.
Mr.. Mckas of Arkansas. opposed the
amendment, declaring that 1t was due to
the fact that Mr.. Coriiss had an extensive
seed concern In bis district. The amend
msnt was finally lost.
MIR. Corliss offered an amendment de-
signed to prevent the free distribution OF
Vaccine Cor the cattle disease Known as
"black Leg" He said this placed the
government In oompsti tion with private
enterprises. After debate the amendment
Was defeated. The bill was then passed
and the House adjourned.