The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-19
In THE HOUSE.
Lively Debate Over Extra Printing
OF the Census Reports-Private
Contracts Knocked Ont.

WASHINGTON, Jan. B.--The house TO-
day passed the senate bill 10 extend the
powers of the director of the census, after
striking out the committee amendment to
authorize the director to contract for ex-
ira printing with private contractors. The
whole fight was upon that amendment
The influence of the public printer and
the labor organizations of the country
were employed against 1t and after live
~ debate OF several hours it was over
whelmingiy defeated The publication of
the reports of the twelfth census. there
fore, will be made by the public printer as
In the past.
The house met at 1 o'clock today in
order to give members an opportunity TO
attend the ceremonies in connection with
the unwilling of the statue of Daniel Web
ster.
Saturday. February 8. was set aside for
paying tribute to the memory OF the late
Representative Ermentrout of Pennsyl-
vania.
Hopkins moved that the house go into
committee of the whole for the considera-
ton of the senate bill extending the scope
of the twelfth census.
Russell said the opposition to the bill
was confined to the house amendment to
empower the director of the census Ito
contract for printing outside the governs
ment printing office. He suggested that
general debate be closed at o'clock. This
was agreed to and Hopkins motion adopt
ed
Hopkins explained that the bill, with the
exception of the fourth section met the
unanimous. approval of the census COM
rector of the census to contract outside
of the government printing office for the
printing of the census reports.
Hopkins in defending the section, said
the public printer would he given as much
of the printing he could do. The rest
could be done as well and as cheaply out
side. He assured the house that this work
would be performed by union labor. In
response TO a question from Shattuck he
said he would be willing TO incorporate
an amendment requiring that the work
should be done by union labor
Wheeler asked why, II government work
was to be let to the lowest bidder, there
firms which employed union labor.
Hopkins replied that he would accept
the amendment to show there was no hos
Limiting this work TO union offices"
observed Sims. lis rank class legislation"
Babcoek asked what there was to pre-
vent a rat Office, II II was the lowest
bidder. from obtaining the work.
There is not a rat office in America"
retorted Hopkins. which can do this
work.
The debate continued until o'clock
many members participating on each side
Amendments were adopted for the collec-
ton of statistics relating to the deaf
dumb and blind and to require the coll
lection of statistics regarding mines, min
ing and minerals.
Flynn (Oklahoma) offered an amend
ment for the appointment of employees of
the census equitably among the states
aud territories. He said every represent
dtlNe Hdu DetH allowed SIX appointments
He had only two appointments.
IF that amendment is adopted said
Lentz, will 1t be possible to have a
North?
'.If L had my way" replied Flynn,
there would not be Democratic enum-
orator North or South" applause and
laughter.)
The amendment was lost When sec
ton, was reached; Hopkins. in charge
of the bill. offered the substitute for Il:
'rhat the public printer shall establish
in the public printing office a division or
branch Office which shall be under the
direction and control of the public print
er of sufficient capacity to meet the de-
mands of the census act"
The committee amendments as modified
were bitterly opposed by a score of men,
bers and were overwhelmingly defeated.
The bill was then passed.
conference was ordered on the house
amendments and the following conferees
We're appointed: Messrs. Hopkins Qll,),
Russell Comm and Griffith Gnd,)
O'rloPlr the a1