Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-01-20
IN THE HOUSE.
THE PENSION APPROPRIATION
BILL PASSED.

was passed by the House to-day 1t
was made the vehicle of an attack up
on the Commissioner of Pensions by
Mr.. Curtis, Republican, of Kansas, who
was seconded by Mr.. Lentz and Mr..
Norton, of Ohio. and Mr. Robinson. OF
Indiana, and other Northern Demo-
Gratis. All inveighed against the lack
of liberality in the administration OF
the pension laws. The commissioner
was ably defended by a score OF MEM
bers from both sides of the House.
y rider was put upon the bill by
unanimous consent, empowering the
commissioner in his discretion to with
hold the fees of attorneys of record in
pension cases where he was satisfied
that the attorneys had not prepared the
cases under their personal supervision.
MIR. Barney, of Wisconsin, in charge
OF the bill, said the Commissioner or
Pensions estimated the bill during tho
coming year would largely decrease,
but the appropriation should not be re-
duced owing to the tendency of %, 900
Spanish war claims, which five or six
millions of dollars would cover.
Mr.. Talbert, of South Carolina, sug-
gested that the pension laws were now
liberal enough to dispense with the Fri
day night sessions. ut which special
bills were passed to pension bounty
Jumpers" and coffee coolers
RULINGS TRACED.
Mr.. Curtis. of Kansas, traced some
of the rulings of the Commissioner of
Pensions to the startling false and
fictitious charge made In 1898, that
fraudulent pensions We're on the rolls"
IL the present Commissioner is not
conducting the office properly is not
the remedy in the hands OF the admin
at.ly
Georgia.
II do not believe the President en-
dorses the acts of the Commissioner"
replied Mr.. Curtis.
II do not believe he knows what ia
going on
rs it not his duty to lnow?"
lie has not the time to examine into
minor details"
Mr.. Robinson, of Indiana, joined in
the assault upon the rulings Of the
Pension Office.
Mr.. Gaynes, of Tennessee, argued Mt
some length in favor OF his scheme to
break up trusts by denying them the
use of the mails. This method, he said
mad effectually suppressed lotteries i'm
the United States
PENSION ADMINISTRATION
Mr.. Sims, of Tennessee. commended
Mr. Evans course rs Commissioner of
Pensions.
Mr.. Ray, of New York, former chair
man of the Committee on Pensions. de-
Tended the pension administration.
characterizing as "unwarranted and
un1ustiliable" Mr.. Curtis attack.
Mr.. Fitzgerald, of Massachusetts
complained that out of $4,000 Spanish
war claims only 300 had been adjusted.
MI Ray replied that the Pension Of
Il 1AJ
ton for a time in all except urgent
cases
Mr. Talhert, OF South Carolina, gave
notice that hereafter there would be no
Friday night pension legislation with
out a quorum
Mr. Mahon, of Pennsylvania, paid his
respects TO the pension shark law
yers' in this city. who robbed the old
soldiers.
The bill was then passed, and tho
House adjourned.
LAWS IN PORTO RICO.
Washington. Jau. 9.--Represen,ative
Payne. of New York, chairman of tho
Ways and Means Committee of the
House and floor leader of the majority.
to-day introduced in the House a bill
TO extend the customs and internal rev
enue laws of the United States over tho
"' VI ucil 10 IicO. Ihe Dill is as
follows:
THAT the laws of the United States
relating to customs and internal reye
nue., including those relating to the
punishment of crimes in connection
with the enforcement of said laws. are
hereby extended to and over the island
OF Puerto Rico and all adjacent islands
and waters of the Islands coded to the
United States by the Government of
Spain by treaty concluded April 18th,
1899, SO far as such laws may be appli-
cable
Section 2. That there shall be in the
cedcd island ore customs collection
district as follows: The district of
Puerto Rico to comprise all the islands
coded as aforesaid, in which San Juan
shall be the port of entry, and Ponce.
Mayaguez. Arecibo, Aguadila, Arroy
and Ilumacas supports of entry, and
there shall be in said collection district
n collector of customs. who shall reside
in San Juan, and shall receive an an
nual salary of $4,000; customs officers
shall be stationed at said supports
with authority to enter and clear yes
sells. receive duties, fees and other
moneys. and perform such other SER
vices as is provided by law, and they
shall receive such compensation as the
Secretary of the Treasury may deem
just and reasonable.
Section 3. That the President of the
United States is hereby authorized to
establish an internal revenue collection
district. to embrace all the said islands.
or. in his discretion. 10 annex said ISL
ands to some other internal revenue
collection district of the United States
Mr.. Payne said, concerning the meas
ure:
at is along the lines suggested by
General Davis. Governor General of
T.,ar