Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-11-29
REPRESENTATIVES, DALZELL
On Legislation of the Next Congress
The Army Bill.

teresting forecast. this afternoon, oil
the legislation likely to be accomplish
ed at the approaching session of Con-
grcss. "Thc reduction of the war tax
es." said Mr.. Dalzell. involves many
problems. and at present am not pre-
pared to make any definite statement
as to the precise direction this action
will take beyond saying that the first
efforts of Congress will undoubtedly
be toward removing those taxes which
are most burdensome and most read
lily felt by the people. We will be as
sailed. of course. by every interest
which is taxed. Our experience during
the hearings at the last tariff session
disclosed the fact that each particular
industry believed that its tax was most
unreasonable and one that should be
first removed. In nj! probability the
stamp tax on kilograms and express
packages will be removed during this
session. This will afford some relief to
people doing business in this direction
Exactly how much this will reduce the
amount of revenue accruinS has not
been figured out. but ii is comparative
ly q small one.
congress viii pass 4 reapportion
ment bill. Ii seems To me desirable
that III the passage of such n bill an
increase of the membership of the
House shouId be avoided if possible.
Of course there are dimculties in the
way of the passage of q bill that might
deprive some states of u part OF the
representation TO which they arr noW
entitled. ana which might seem unduly
to increase the representation Of 9TH
ers, but have no doubt that 4 fair
compromise viii be reached on a meas
urc not materially increasing the mem
bership Of the House.
II do not :ea any way Or escaping
the passage OF a bill reorslnizing the
army. Unless some legislation he had
during his session the existing army
will disintcgrate on July /. 1901. and il
seems 10 be absolutely necessary. there
fore. that some bill shoiild be passed
IL put the army upon Il new footing.
What that footing shall be is Il matter
tor grave consideration. | do not be-
lievc there is any disposition i'll any
quarter to increase tho army pernla-
ncntly beyond what may he absolutely
necessary. and I cannot believe. III
view OF the results OF the recent cleo
ton. that there VIII he any opposition
on the part % any one 10 q proper
army measure. | do not think. either,
that there is Il disposition on the part
of anyone to establish a large standing
army beyond reasonable national
needs. The purpose Of the bill to be
enacted will be To provide permanent
~. L. 4.
as readily To adapt the size of the army
to conditions as they may arise.
The Republican party is pledged to
the passage of a bill for the encourage
ment OF the merchant marine. That ac-
ton would be strictly in line with Re
publican policy. We have demonstrate
ed that our protective system as ap-
piled 10 an our manufacturing inter-
ests. 10 whose benefit il is in part di-
rectcd. has in its enforcement resulted
in the welfare of American enterprise.
There is every reason. therefore, why
il should be extended To the building
up of our merchant marine. and ii
seems To me that this is an opportune
time for the redemption of the pledge
III the Republican platform on the sub
ject OF ship subsidy measure
III Congress can so arrange matters
as To pass 4 Nicaragua canal bill with
out international relations. think
such bill would be enacted. and !
am in hopes tht any obstacles that ex-
list in that direction may be removed"
Washington. Nov. 2S.-Reprosentative
Hull. chairman of the House commit
h., 40
partment. today. and had a long con-
ference with Secretary Root. during
which they canvassed the whole field
covered by the question Of army reor-
eaniZa;i ton. The draft of Secretary
Roots bill will be laid before the COM
mttee when ii meets, Friday.
Quartermaster General Ludington is
informed that the transports Eawlins
and Crook arrived at San Juan, yeSter-
day. for the purpose of bringing back
certain troops to the United States. The
Hawlins will carry three companies
and the band of the 18th Infantry. The
cook will carry Il battalion Of the 9Th
Cavalry destined to Fort Ethan Allen.
1t.
Officials of the war department deny
positively that commissary General
t.gan. now under suspension from the
army. has been re-instatcd. 1t is fur
Their said that Gen. Egan has filed nc
formal application to have his sem
tance set aside II is understood that
Gen EGan might be reinStated at amy
time upon condition that he would ac-
cept immediate retirement. but he has
shown no disposition to accedc to such
an arrangement.
The general assembly committee Of
l6 81 the Presbyterian churches will
convene at the New York Avenue Pres
byterian church in this city. next Tues
tay, to tabulate the returns from the
fresbyterieS on the subject of the re-
vision of the confession of faith and
10 formulate a recommendation on the
subject FOR action by the next general
assembly in May. 1t is said Of the 200
Presbyteries only 113 have voted on the
question, l26 have declared for some
change, while IS have gone on record
as opposed to any change whatever.
While the post office department has
not made announcement of policy to
govern changes of fourth class post
masters during the next four years, it
can be stated that the department pre-
fers that there be no more changes
1