Gilpin observer., 1902-12-25

The war claims committee of the
House has reported favorably bills
carrying appropriations to pay claims
growing out of tIn cutting of cables
by the United States naval forces in
the war with Spain.
The House passed the bill to reduce
the duties IN products Of the Philip
pine islands coming into the United
States from seventy-five per ceR Of
the Dingley rates (the present duhes)
to twenty-five per cent of those rates.
The discussion Of the bill was accom-
panied by considerable maneuvering
on the Democratic side to secure test
votes on various amendments designed
to lower the tariff still further, and a
record vote was forced on motion to
recommit with instructions to report
bill providing for absolute free trade
with the islands. The division on this
proposition was on party lines, with
the exception of Mr.. Call (Republican
of Massachusetts, who voted with the
Democrats.
Representative Mondell of Wyoming
has introduced bill increasing the
penalty imposed upon persons commit
ting crimes against Indians. Under the
present law one years Imprisonment Is
the maximum penalty for stealing
property of Indians regardless of the
value OF property taken. In many in
stances large numbers of Indian cattle
and other property have been taken,
and upon conviction guilty parties
frAI tn lNrff nm q
years Imprisonment. Under the Mon
dell bill the penalty imposed is one
years Imprisonment II property taken
is not worth over $25; IL over that
amount, the punishment shall be i'm
prisonment of not less than one year
nor more than fourteen years.
Mr.. Bartlett. Georgia Democrat.
during consideration of the legislative
appropriation bill in the House, Of
fered an amendment to appropriate
$3.50, to enforce the Sherman anti
trust law and to direct the attorney
general to proceed to the prosecution
of all violators of the law. Although
such provision was plainly amenable
to point of order. not member on
either side of the House raised objec-
all agreed that some such action was
advisable. Some of the Republicans
raised objection to the looseness of the
language of the amendment, and Mr..
Hepburn offered as substitute for it
the language of the bill he introduced
the opening day of the session to ap-
propriate $500 900 for the enforcement
of the law. This was further strength
ened to make the appropriation imme-
diately available. and as amended the
substitute was agreed to without di-
vision. The legislative bill was passed
practically as it came from the CON-
mittee. except the amendment.
The House, on the 18th inst, passed
the Senate bill for union railroad
station in Washington to cost $4,000
900. The station is to be situated
north of the present site of the Balti-
more & Ohio depot at Delaware and
Massachusetts avenues, and in front
OF 1t Is to be a large plaza park. The
Pennsylvania railroad, by the terms
of the bill. is to remove its tracks
from the Mall and reach the site OF
the proposed station through a tunnel
to run between the capitol and library
buildings. The government is to pay
the Pennsylvania railroad $500. 900
and the Baltimore & Ohio $500 900. in
addition to providing for the plaza
park. The House also passed an ur-
gent deficiency bill. which carried.
among other items. an appropriation
of 100000 for eradicating the foot
and mouth disease in New England.
and 100000 to cover deficiencies in
the rural free delivery service. Under
suspension of the rules. a bill to allot
the lands of the Indians in New York
In severalty was passed.
The eight-hour labor bill. as amend
ed by the Senate committee on educa-
ton and labor. was reported to the
Senate from that committee. accom-
panied by written statement of the
committees reasons for its action. 1t
is stated that the bill Is. substantially
the same as the House bill and that 1t
is favored by majority of the Senate
committee. Speaking of the general
policy of the measure. the committee
says. your committee do not doubt
the right of Congress to extend the
eight-hour day. The majority approve
the policy of extending the eight-hour
day, believing its results will be bene-
fetal, that the products of labor will be
improved and that the happiness and
homes of workmen will be greater and
brighter the intelligence of the people
increased and civilization advanced by
such legislation. A majority of your
committee believe that this measure,
which has received from the committee
such serious and careful consideration,
Is not radical. but conservative, and.
therefore, recommend Its passage"
Representative Fowler. chairman OF
the House committee on backing and
currency, introduced bill which was
drawn by him In accordance with the
views OF the Republican members ex-
pressed at recent conferences, and
which will be urged instead of the cur
rency bill reported to the House at the