The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-11-14
ReappOrtionment OF Representatives
May He Made ON the Basis of
Member to 100000 People.
CLAIMS GROWING OUT OF WAR
CORPORATIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES
SEEKING INDEMNITY.
Lieut.. Col. Russell ID. Harrison Honor
ably Discharged from the Army
to Take Effect Dec. 4.

WASHINGTON, Nov 49, - Director of
the Census Merriam was at the White
House this afternoon. He called the at
tention of the President to the fact that
the figures on the population of the United
States. the total of which already has
been announced. are in such shape that
they will be at the disposal of Congress.
when it meets, for any action 1t may de-
sire to take in the direction of a reappor-
tionment bill. The reapportionment fol-
lowing the count of the twelfth census will
become operative by law in 1908. There
probably will be a considerable increase
both in the ratio and the total number of
representatives under the new apportion-
ment Starting with a ratio of one to every
thirty thousand inhabitants, there were
sixty-five representatives in the First Con-
gress. The eleventh census, in 1890, gave
population of 62622, 80, or an increase of
12500.000. The ratio was 17S.S0l people to
each representative, and the House num-
bered 35S members. The ratio under the
new census probably will reach 100000
With an increase of Is, 225, 1884, shown by
the present census, and letting majority
fractions of the apportionment count for an
additional member, as has been the custom
this would make an increase of eighteen
members in the next House. 2eapportion-
ment on this basis would cause only four
States to lose representatives. They are
Maine and Virginia in the East and Kansas
and Nebraska in the West. These States
would lose a member each. Any ratio
smaller than 100000. which would save them
their full representation. would cause
considerable addition to the membership
OF the House.
The President will submit to Congress at
the approaching session the claims for in
Identification and for other substantial
recompense of the British cable corporation
which suffered as result of the American
occupation of the Philippines. The corpora
ton claims damages for the interruption of
their cable business by the American
forces. This claim was reduced to a very
low figure. but was disallowed. The East
ern Extension Company claims that il has
a franchise from the Spanish government.
obtained before the war, granting IL a
monopoly OF cable business throughout the
Philippines, and that this monopoly has
been invaded by the action OF the
United States government. AT the same
time the Manila & Dagapan Rail-
road Company. the only railroad in
the Philippines. sets UP claim, first
for compensation for the use of its
property by the United States. and second.
for the continuance OF an annual subsidy
OF $500 pounds, guaranteed by the Spanish
government against the Philippines rev.
enues. The contention that the subsidy IN
the last case and the monopoly of the
Eastern Extension Company having been
legally obtained. must be continued. was
recognized as very important one and
was referred to the attorney general. His
decision was TO the effect that these claims
were not based upon contract right But
he also held that both the cable and the
railroad company had good equitable
claims. II Is possible that the subsidy may
CONTINUED ON PAGE 5, COL. a.