The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1902-12-04
THE MESSAGE READ
Congress Receives the Presi-
dents Annual Address.
ALCER TAKES THE OATH In SENATE
Senator CuIIom Introduces an Anti-
trust Dill and Representative
Hull a Measure Creating Gem
eraI star Corps For Army.


trust Dill and Representative
Hull n Measure Creating Gem
eraI star Corps For Army.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.--Interest in
was heightened by the fact that the
Presidents message to congress would
70 read and also that General Russell
!. Alger of Michigan, former secretary
war under President Mckinley,
.yould be sworn in to fill the vacancy
aused by the death of Senator Nc
lillian.
One hour and fifteen minutes were
consumed in reading the presidents
message. Almost the entire Repub-
lican representation were in their seats,
but not more than half the seats on the
Democratic side were occupied. The
closest attention was paid to the mes
sage as 1t was'being read.
A number of bills and resolutions
were introduced, following brief ex-
ecutive session. The resignation of
the Rev. w. II. Milburn, the blind
VI lhC va iNNSA'SN
with genuine regret. He had become
a familiar figure in the body and was
personally acquainted with every SEN
htor. No action was taken on the res
ignation.
At 80 p. IN. the senate adjourned
but of respect to the memory of the
late Charles A. Russell, representative
from Connecticut.
The house was In session an hour
and forty minutes. One hour of that
time was consumed in reading the
presidents message. The reading was
listened to with attention by members
without regard to party, but without
demonstration, except at the conclu-
sion of the reading, when the Repub-
licans applauded generously. Mr.. Can
non, chairman of the committee on
appropriations, gave notice that
the bill to defray the expenses
of the coal strike commission
would be called up today. The deaths
of the late Representatives De Graf
fenreid and Sheppard CTex.), which
occurred during the recess, were an
nounced, and after adopting the Gus
tomary resolutions Of regret the house
adjourned as further mark Of re-
spect to their memories.
There appears to be no doubt that
the president Is determined to force
the consideration of antitrust measures
ut this session Of congress. The intro
luction Of a bill aimed at trusts by
;enator CuIlom and the reference of
antitrust legislation in the house to
subcommittee of the committee Oh ju-
iiciary Of which Representative Lit
.lefeld (Ne.) is chairman, shows that
he influence of the president is para
mount at the start.
The Cullom antitrust bill authorizes
the attorney general or any district at
torney to make application to the fed
eral judges for the summoning of per-
sons before them to answer questions
Ms to material violations of the anti
trust law in advance of the trial Of
case and requires the judges to issue
orders for the appearance of such per-
sons upon this application. In such
eases witnesses are to be protected
against prosecution on account of their
revelation, but they are to be deprived
Of the right to refuse to answer be-
cause of self elimination. Annual re-
ports are required to be made by all
persons, firms or corporations engag-
Ing in interstate commerce. They are
to be filed with the interstate commerce
commission, and they are to be subject
to the scrutiny of the attorney general,
but not for the general public.
Representative Hull, chairman of the
house committee on military affairs, in
troduced hill creating a general staff
corps Of the United States army. It
provides that the staff be composed OF
officers detailed from the army ut large
under such rules as the president may
prescribe. The proposed duties Of the
staff are to prepare plans for the na-
tional defense and for the mobiliza-
ton Of the military forces in time Of
war, to investigate and report on all
questions affecting the efficiency of the
army and It's state Of preparedness for
military operations, to render profess
sional aid to the secretary of war and
to the general officers and other su-
perior commanders and to act as their
agents in informing and co-ordnating
action of all the different officers In
carrying out their orders.
Opening Day In Congress.
WASHINGTON. Dec 2-The senate