Evening journal., 1902-12-01

Washington. Dee. I. - When the
house convened today to enter on the
final session OF the 57th congress, a
perfect deluge of bills dealing with
the trust question in al It's phases
was thrown into the hopper. Il IS adj
mitted on ell hands that this will be
the most iupcrtcnt topic OF discus
sion. Ind-cd. TIE house leaders in-
cline to tho belief that beyond the ap-
preparation bills and routine legisla-
ton it VIII be the only general sub
ject on which there IS a chance Of
action at tao short session. As yet
the leaders have formulated no
measure and tacro exists O pretty wide
divergence of oplrion as to what can
or should be cone.
The session OF the house to-day was
brief The roll was called and the an
nouncement of the deaths that have
occurred during the recess. The
house adjourned until tomorrow. when
the presidents message will be read.
The most conservative opinion
among the Republican leaders on the
trust question seems to favor an ap-
propriation for the enforcement Of
the Sherman antitrust law. Such an
appropriation. It is pointed out, could
be placed on one of the regular appro-
priation bills and put through both
houses without difficulty. whereas any
amendment to the law itself. no mat
ter how conservative, would likely
meet opposition Mr. Hepburn, Of
Iowa, chairman of the Interstate and
foreign commerce committee. is one Of
those who believe that the Sherman
law, IL enforced. is sufficient TO meet
the situation. and he viii introduce a
bill appr6priatng $500 600 to be used
by the department Of justice IN prose-
cutions under the present law.
The leaders already have resolved to
expedite the appropriation bills as
much as possible, in order TO allow the
largest margin of time for other mat
ters, and it IS beloved that the legisla-
tive, executive, and judicial and the
pension appropriation bills can be dis
posed of before the holidays. The ap-
preparations committee win so to work
at once and prepare the supply bills
Jas rapidly as possible. One of tie nrst
things this committee will be called on
to do. however, is TO prepare q bin to
lprovide for the coal strike commission.
Judge Gray, chairman OF the commits
sion, has written a letter to Mr., Can
non, chairman of this committee. ask
ing for an appropriation of $4,000 to
defray the expenses of the commits
sion, to pay its clerical force. and to
funish such compensation for its mem
bers as the president may fix. The
appropriations committee will meet to-
day to prepare a bill, which e is be-
llieved will be presented and passed this
week No opposition from the minor
ity is anticipated
IN the Senate.
The admission of the territories OF
Oklahoma New Mexico. and Arizona
us states Of the union probably will be
the subject Of general Importance tc
receive the attention of the senate in
the session which began at noon to-day
After the omnibus territorial bill
passed the house last session its
friends in the senate were so insisteni
on action by the senate and so strong
In point of numbers that in the inter
lest of other pending legislation q
Unanimous agreement was reached
that in consideration of abatement by
1.-The friends of the measure during the
last session the committee on terrific
ries would report on the bill OF
wednesday, and that a week later the
= bill should become the unfnishe,
business Of the senate, which mean
that unless the measure shall be dis
placed by a vote or by unanimous con
sent it will occupy first place on th
senate calendar until disposed of.
There is no longer serious talk o
constitutional amendments for the con
troll of trusts. as it is recognized that il
r. short session It would be impossibl
to secure action on such amendments
The present week viii barely witnes
the beginning Of the three months
work. To-day the usual committee Q
two senators was appointed to call o.
the president