The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-02-20
Tuesdays Proceedings.

Tor A government ownership. The vote
in the committee does not commit the
committee 20 the Sherman bin as drawn.
but only 10 the general idea which It con
tdins-private ownership with a govern
ment subsidy for twenty wears. The bill
was taken up yesterday by the commit
tee. but little progress was made.
Representative Denny OF Baltimore. pre-
sented a memorial from the Baltimore
Board OF Trade IN the House yesterday
asking that the plan % coast Qualifications
I'D and down the Atlantic seaboard be
authorized as recommended by the Secre-
tary OF War The names OF substantial
Baltimore merchants and business men.
who realized something OF the inconvcn-
ience Of the lack Of defense during TIE
spanish war are appended 20 the me-
mortal, which was referred 10 the Commit
tee on Military Affairs.
Representative Levy. Of New York, yes
terday introduced a bill TO construct an
inter-oceanic canal connecting the At
lantic and Pacific. The bill differs from
other isthmian canal measures In provid-
ing for negotiations between the United
states and other maritime nations with a
view to securing international co-opera-
ton and contribution according to the ton
mage OF the several nations
Representative Gilbert. OF Kentucky, ir-
trOduced a bill for a national military park
at Perryville, KY.
The House Committee on Merchant Ma
rine and Fisheries yesterday ordered IA
vorable report on a bill 10 grant an Amer
lean register 10 the brig Windward, with
which Lieut.. Peary intends TO try to reach
the north pole. AS IL was considered de-
sirable that the vessel should fly the
American flag IL the expedition was sue
cessful, the committee deemed II wise to
act favorably upon the bill
Mr. John Barrett, late Minister TO Slam.
appeared before the House Committee en-
Interstate and Foreign Commerce yes
terday and urged favorable action on the
bill for "A commission to investigate the
commercial conditions in Asia. He MADE
a similar argument before the Senate
Committee on Commerce a few weeks ago.
A Joint resolution increasing the limit
Of cost OF the new Government Printing
Office 1919 90 on account of the increased
cost of building material was adopted yes
terday by the House. 1t has already pass
ed the Senate.
Representative Bail. Of Texas. yester~
day introduced in the House a resolu-
cial committee of nine members, not more
than five TO belong to any one political
party TO whom shall be submitted all res
olutions, bills, or amendments relating
10 trusts or monopOlies, and the regula-
ton or suppression thereof, with instruc-
tions to bring in a general bill for that
purpose.
a favorable report was made yesterday
bv the Senate Committee on Naval At
fairs on the hill to enable naval courts
martial and naval courts of inquiry to Sc
cure the attendance of civilian witnesses.
The Senate Committee on Pensions yes
terday made a favorable report upon the
bill granting Q pension to the widow of
Col Egbert, who was killed In the Phil
ippines. The committee reduced the ap-
preparation from 500 to $50.
The Senate yesterday passed a House
bill relating to lights on steam pilot YES
sells, and a Senate bill to authorize the es-
tablishment at some point in North Caro-
lima of a station for the investigation Of
problems connected with marine fishery
interests of the Middle and South At
lantic coast.
The army appropriation bill, which was
completed yesterday, carries Sill, zoo. 1854,
against $500 ,l04 in the bill for the cur
rent year. The great seeming increase is
accounted for by the fact that the ap-
propriations for the current fiscal year
were inadequate and the urgent deficiency
bill recently passed carried large addi-
tional appropriation for the army for the
current year. The bill includes an appro-
priation of $40, $50 for cable and telegraph
lines 10 connect the military posts in
Alaska with headquarters at St Michaels
and slcoe00 for military bridges and roads
in Alaska.
This years naval appropriation bill will
carry more money than has been voted by
Congress in any regular annual apprO-
priation bill since the civil war. 1t will
probably authorize expenditures as great
as those under the regular appropriation
and the allotment from the $50, 900, 600 ma
tfonal defense fund for the fiscal year OF
1889.
The estimates from the Navy Depart
ment footed up SO. O00. 900, and the depart
ment would like TO have every cent for
which ii asked. Congress will scale down
the estimates, wherever practicable but
when the bill becomes law il will carry at
least So, O0O 900. The first draft OF the
measure has been prepared by a sub-cOm-
mlttee OF the House Committee on Naval
Affairs and is now under consideration by
the full committee. The subcommittee
did not do anything regarding the au-
thOriZation of new ships or regarding the
purchase of armOr for ships already au-
thOriZed, leaving these matters to be con-
sidered by the full committee Even with
these omissions TO the first draft the bill
carries a total OF about $50, 900. The
committee is now going over this draft
carefully with the advice OF heads of bu-
reaus of the Navy Department, and is
making reductions wherever II is possible
10 do 50 without injury 10 the service.
IL is the aim OF the committee TO bring
the total of the hin, including the ap
preparations for new ships and armor,
Gown to $f0.eoo0 600. but il Is doubtful
whether this can be done IN view OF the
Urgent demand for larger appropriations
than In former years. There are increases
all along the lire. incident upon the
growth OF the navy and the increase In
The number OF sailors and marines. au-
thorized by the last Congress. Aside from
the items under the head CT increase Of
the navy for which the department esti- |
mated 81. sS3. l01. an increase OF over ST.
C0o.cc9 the increases are under the head
OF public works. including Improvements
AT navy yards and stations, new dry
docks and new buildings at the Naval |
Academy.
The DEPARTMENTS estimates fer public /
works footed up nearly 100000. an in /
crease OF over 100000. This was con /
siierably scaled down by the committee /
hut five new buildings at the Naval Acad- /
envy Will get nearly s9cco.c1o The float |
ing dry dock at AlgieTs La, viii get $500 /
Co for It's completion. and about 10000 4
each will be voted TO continue the work /
Of ibe four dry docks being built, respec- |
lively, at Portsmouth. y. IL: Boston. /
League Island, and Mare Island.
France may prove an important stum- 1
bling block in the way of the immediate 4
construction OF the Nicaraguan canal
All OF the nations OF Europe. with the 1
exception OF the Paris government, have 4
signined 10 Secretary Hay their entire /
satisfaction with the provisions of the |
Hay-Psuncefote treaty, and have indi- I
Gated their purpose 10 assent to 10 when /
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