The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-01-02

Not Properly Belong to It-Othcr
Measures That VIII Be Urged Mt
Present session-ERort to Improve
Revenue Service.
| ciall--t'hairman Frye, of the senate COM
| MERGE committee, says that there are
three bills Of Importance pending before
that committee, which will be favorably
reported to the senate after congress re-
assemblies. In an interview he talked
interestingly about these measures, add
Ing:
They are the shipping bill, the bill to
establish department of commerce and
Industries, and the bill for the reorgani-
cation of the revenue cutter service on
lines similar to the navy
Replying to question as to the pros
pect for legislation that will establish a
department of commerce and industry,
Senator Frye said:
II think there Is a universal demand
from boards Of trade and commercial or
carnations that such q department be
created. Last congress I introduced a
Dill for that purpose, and held several
hearings before the committee on COM
nierce, at which very strong sentiment
developed in favor of the bill. Petitions
and memorials ir favor of it flooded both
houses of congress, but other matters
arose which prevented action. I have re-
introduced that bill, with some amend
ments widening the scope of the proposed
department, and will use my best en-
oeavors to secure its passage. 1t is now
before the committee on commerce, in
charge OF a very energetic subcommittee
composed of Senators Nelson, OF Mime
sofa; Hanna, Of Ohio and Clay, Of Geor-
gla. think l am safe in predicting early
and favorable action upon 1t.
Ihe necessity of this new department
Is so apparent as TO require little ex-
PLANTATION. Any enc who Is coEversant
with public business knows that the
treasury department IS overweighted with
r!atters which co not properly belong to
It. Wo have to serd to as many as half
eozen different bureaus in the depart
rent for information we need in connec-
ton with bills before this committee
L notice." continued the senator, that
there is some agitation for the establish
ment also of department of mines and
mining. Now there Is no reason in the
world why all matters relating to mines
and mining could not be referred to
bureau of the proposed department of
commerce and Industries. They would be
exactly within the province of the latter
department, and I believe that the senti-
ment of the majority of the committee
on commerce is in favor of making
mines and mining bureau of the new
department.
REVENUE SERVICE RELIEF.
'There is another bill in which 1 am
very deeply interested" said Senator
Frye, "and which I am going to push
to the limit. This is the bill to put the
revenue cutter service on the same foot
ing with the navy There is no mora
just measure proposed to congress- The
committee on commerce, 1 believe will
make unanimous report In favor of It:
in fact, the report Is written and ready
to be presented at almost any time.
mo branch of the public service has
received as shabby treatment as the rev.
enue cutter service 1t was only by add
Ing an amendment to an appropriation
bill that I secured the retirement of
some thirty revenue cutter officers who
had grown old and gray in the service.
There is no Drawer lot of men in either
the army or navy. They are always on
duty, without shore assignments, ex-
posed to dangers and in case of war
they are pressed into the naval service
The records OF the last two or three
years alone show the most heroic deeds
to have been performed by the officers
and men of this service. Take, for in
stance, the overland trip through Alaska,
In midwinter to the relief of the ship
wrecked whalers at Point Barrow, in the
arctic sea, made by officers of the
revenue cutter Bear. This service is as
fully entitled to all the provisions OF
promotion and retirement as is the navy.
and the pay and allowance OF the Of
ficers should be the same. 1 am very
hopeful of favorable action on the part
of congress.
Mr. Frye does not appear very SAN
guine of action on the Nicaraguan canal
proposition at this season. If the re-
Mobilization of the Panama Canal com.
pany by the infusion of American capt.
tai and New Jersey charter has been
actually accomplished every obstacle
will be thrown in the wayaof the Nicara-
guam canal scheme.
j s. Van Antwerp.