Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-02-28
THE ANTITRUST BILL
The Senate Maintains the House
Measure Is Unconstitutional.
The POST OFFICE BILL DISCUSSED.
Appropriation for Pneumatic Tube Serv-
Ice Eliminated-Gene Deficiency APP
preparation Bill Passed by House
Row Over Employees Wages.

Row over Employees wages.
Washington, Feb. 22.,-For nea:,y
two hours yesterday the senate had
under discussion resolution by Sem
ator Jones, of Arkansas, to discharge
the judiciary committee from further
consideration of the antitrust bill
passed by the house at the last SEES
sion and to bring it before the SEN
ate for consideration. TO some ex-
tent the merits of the measure were
discussed, Senator Hoar, chairman
of the judiciary committee; Senator
Platt, of Connecticut; Senator Spoon
er, Senator Bacon, Senator Pettigrew,
Senator Teller and others taking part
in the debate. The majority main
tanned that the house measure clearly
was unconstitutional They protested,
too, against taking up so great ques-
ton in the closing hours of the ses-
sion. The resolution finally went to
the calendar.
During the remainder of the after
noon the post Office appropriation
bill was under discussion. After a
prolonged contest the appropriation
for pneumatic tube service was elimi-
mated entirely, so that as the bill
stands now the service will have to be
discontinued after the LIST of next
July. The old controversy over the
special appropriations for fast mail
service engaged attention the rest of
the day. 1t was decided to begin hold
ing night sessions tonight.
Senator Rawlins gave notice of his
intention to suggest an addition to
the Spooner Philippine amendment to
the army appropriation bill, declaring
that the government of the United
States will not retain or exercise per-
manent control or sovereignty over
the Philippine islands on their pacifi-
cation and the establishment of a
stable government by their people
and, upon the accomplishment of this,
the United States pledges itself to
withdraw from the islands and leave
the government and control thereof
to their own people.
This was another field day in the
house. Two distinct sensations oc-
Cured. Early in the day, during the
consideration of an amendment to the
deficiency appropriation bill to pre-
vent hazing at the naval academy. Mr.,
Hepburn, OF Iowa, used exceedingly
strong language while inyeighing
against the practice of hazing, charg-
ing by indirection that the habits OF
tyranny and oppression formed by the
officers of the army and navy at theil
academies was responsible for the re.
fusal of sailors to enlist in the navy
and for the large number of descrtions
from the army. Moreover, he alleged
that the officers stood by each other
when in trouble, saying that the com.
manders of 95 vessels of the navy lost
since the civil war had, with one ex,
ception, escaped with slight punish
ment. Mr.. Cannon, of Illinois, and
Mr.. Dayton, of West Virginia, warmly
defended the navy. The stir caused
by Mr.. lIepburn's speech, however
was mild compared with the row
which was kicked I'D later over some
items in the bill for extra compensa-
ton to employees of the house. Mr.
Dinsmore, of Arkansas, exposed the
fact that one of the employees of the
house while occupying one position
was drawing salary for another and
that the difference between the sala.
ries was to be made up in one Of the
items in the bill. This led TO a gen.
eral ventilation of the domestic az
fairs of the house, during which Mr.
Bailey, Of Texas, declared that the
situation was scandal upon the in
tegrity OF the house. lie charged
that there were employees of the house
who were dividing their salaries with
Others who performed no work and
challenged any one on The other side
to deny his allegations. He offered
to produce sworn testimony in sub
sanitation of his charges II an in
vestigating committee were appoint
ed. 1t was explained by Mr.. Joy, Of
Missouri, and others, that there wa,
no law concerning employees Of III,
house At the close of the session Mr.
Bailey offered a resolution for the an
pointment of an investigating com
mittee, which was referred TO the com
mittee on rules, upon the assurance
of Mr.. Payne, the majority leader
that it would be reported at once. TIL,
general deficiency appropriation bill
the last of the appropriation bills
was passed.
Mr.. Cowherd introduced a bin au
thorIzing the secretary Of war tt
erect in the cemetery near Lone Jack
Mo-, a monument to the memory Of
the officers and soldiers who fell in q
battle at that place August iG, 1862
The bill appropratcs $4,000
Big Fire at Atlanta.
Atlanta, Ca, Feb. 22.--Fire yester.
day destroyed almost an entire block
in the wholesale district of Atlanta