Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-01-17
57TA CONGRESS-.
Department of Commerce Bill
Meets With Opposition.
Senator Hale Sharply Criticizes it and
Shows Its Weaknesses.
Does Not Begin in Modest Way but seizes
Onto Everything.

Washington, Jan. 16.-The Senate.
today for brief time. had under con-
sideration the bill creating depart
ment of commerce, and the discussion
tended to show that the measure will
have to be amended in many particu-
lars before it can receive the approval
of the Senate. Serious objections Were
raised to the transfer to the proposed
department OF several important bu-
reaus now part of other departments
OF the government. II was pointed out
that if the bill as reported. became a
law. it would create the greatest de-
psrtment of the government and that
the secretary of commerce would have
more power even than the secretary of
the treasury Notice of several impor-
tant amendments were given.
large number of uncontested bills
and private pension measures were
passed, after which the Senate ad-
journed until Monday.
When the Senate convened. it was
decided on motion of Hale, Me-. that
when the Senate adjourned, today, it
be until next Monday
bill was reported and passed pro-
viding that persons living in Porto
Rico and the Philippines may execute
deeds for property in the District of
Columbia and territories of the United
! States.
On motion of Hoar, his resolution adopt-
ed, Yesterday. calling for information con-
corning the eXaction of duties on supplies
| ana comforts sent to Boer prisoners in
bermuda from this country. was recalled
ana reft FRED to the committee on fore IGN
/ -, &I,x
Gle of The Hague convention on which
| the resolution had been based had been
adopted by Great Britain but had not
been adopted by the United States. He
mad been informed since the adoption of
| the resolution that the governor of B.I-
Inuda proposed 10 recommend to the Leg
stature of Bermuda tina, the law exact
ing such duties De repealed. Hoar said
the exactfon of such duties was not Il
violation of treaty obligations, but he
Thought it was a matter which Ought TO
be in vessigated.
Inc Rouse concurrent resolution pro-
wong TOR Mckinley memorial exercises
by Congress in the Hail of Representa-.
yves; Ihursd.,y. Feb. p. was adopted.
Mallory Ola. J. rising to a question of
privilege. called attention TO an articl,
IN New YORK ne wspaper OF the 18th inst
purportinE to give a poll of the Senate
the course of which he is represented as
being in favor or the Panama route. He
declared he lad had no interview with
| anyone on that subject. The art Gle mis-
represented him entirely Il am decided
~ in favor" SAID he. "of pressing the
Nicaraguan project as rapidly as possi-
BILE. and If il We're in my power / should
be very glad to bring the matter up for !,
vote. today
about the same article. asserting that he
never had minated to anyone what his
views on the canal question were. but
that he did, as a fact favor the Nicara-
qua DrOleCf and 10
| as stated in the article in question
The bill ITO establish the department OF
commerce was called up by Nelson.
Mimi after some minor amendments
had been offered by Nelson and adopted.
Lodge offered an amendment 20 Section .
of the bill providing that the secretary of
department to furnish instructions to
consulate Offices supplied by the secre-
tary Of commerce. and to prepare the dis
patches of the consular officers for trans
mission TO the secretary of commerce.
The amendment aroused considerable
comment, all of it being favorable 20
Lodges proposition.
Hale sharply criticised the bill. He said
the measure. so suddenly flashed upon
| the Senate, created the largest depart
ment in the government. II did not be-
gin in a modest way but ransaeked every
department of the government for i'm
portant bureaus to dump into this new
department The new secretary OF COM
merce would become the most important
member of the cabinet He would be
even more important official than the
secretary of the treasury with all of his
great administrative duties.
Many bureaus had been included i'm the
proposed department that have no more
relation 10 commerce than light has to
darkness. He referred particularly to the
transfer to the new department of the
coast and geodetic survey and Urged that
il that bureau were changed at all II
should be placed Under the navy depart
meft. lie referred to various 'nayIes'
in the several departments.
This. brought ,!illman 10 his feet II
would like to add another navy to those
enumerated by the senator" h. said
that is the army transport service.
That Is assuming great proportions ant
about II | nave heard some scandal
AT the instance of Teller the section
providing for The transfer of the gsologi
cal survey to the department Of COM
mcrce was stricken out.
Hale gave notice Of an amendment pro-
viding for the transfer of the coast and
geode tic survey TO the navy department |
After Platt Comm had criticised the |
bill and urged that no action be taken At
this time. the measure went over
a number of bills. together with Il |
large number of private pension bills |
We're passed including the following: APP
propriating $4,000 for government ex-
penseS and floor space at the Char eston |
5 c., Exposition.
Appropriating $4,000 for the establish |
ment OF additional lighthouse and tog
signal stations on the coast of Alaska
The Senate then, at 2.27 r. NJ. went into
executive session and when the doors |
were re-opened ut 80 resolution ex.
pressive of the Scnate's sorrow al the |
death of Robert z. Burke. formerly a rep I
resentative in Congress from Texas. was 1
adopted and the Senate at c.55 r. NJ ad /
Journed until Monday.
ase.