The state herald., 1902-12-12
WASHINGTON NEWS AND
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS

cation Tor pardon made on behalf o1
j. NJ. Mcknight, who was convicted OF
embezzling the funds OF the German
National Bank Of Louisville, Ken
lucky, while It's president. The Presi-
dent has endorsed the application as
follows: Denied; this seems an alb
solutely clear case of guilt, with no eX-
cuse whatever for pardon"
The increase in freight rates which
are shortly to be applied on the roads
running from the Mississippi river and
points beyond to the East and South
will be Investigated BY the interstate
commerce commission, which has
fixed December 10th next as the date
for hearing to be held at the offices
of the commission in Washington. The
commission has issued an order re.
quiring the attendance at the time
of the chief traffic officials or other
representatives qualified to give in
formation of the following roads:
Michigan Central, Lake Shore & Mich
igan Southern, Erie railroad, Balti-
more Ohio, Pennsylvania. Cleveland.
Cincinnati, Chicago e. St. Louis, Wa
bash Railway Company, Baltimore &
Ohio Southwestern, New York Central
& Hudson River, Delaware, Lacka-
wanna & Western. Lehlgh Valley,
Pennsylvania Railway Company
Southern railway. Norfolk & Western
and the Chesapeake & Ohio
Senator Lodge, chairman OF the Sem
ate committee on the Philippines. has
introduced bill for the regulation OF
the currency of the Philippine islands.
The bill provides that the currency OF
the United States shall be legal tender
in the islands and makes the gold dol
lar the unit of value. 1t authorizes the
coinage of a silver pesos of 4l6 grains,
which is to be paid in sums of less
than 100 pesos when demanded. The
peso is also to be received for all dues
to the islands unless specific provision
Is made to the contrary. The Philip
pine government is authorized to take
such measures as il considers neces-
sary to maintain the parity of the reso
with the currency of the United States
at the rate of two pesos for one dol
lar, Authority is also given for the
issuance Of certificates In the peso
The Mexican and Spanish pesos are to
go out OF existence by the LIST of De-
cember, 1903. Meanwhile their value
is to be fixed by proclamation by the
governor of the Philippines.
Senator Cullom has introduced bill
to amend the Sherman antitrust law.
1t prohibits interstate commerce in ar
ticles produced by trusts. the penalty
for violation being fine of from $500
to $1,000. The bill authorizes the at
torney general or any district attorney
to make application to the federal
judges for the summoning of persons
before them to answer questions as to
material violations of the antitrust
law in advance of the trial of case.
and requires the judges to issue orders
for the appearance of such persons up
on this application. In such cases wit
nesses are to be protected against pros
ecution on account of their revelations,
but they are to be deprived OF their
right to refuse to answer because OF
self-incrimination. Annual reports are
required TO be made by all persons. firms
and corporations engaged in interstate
commerce. They are to be filed with
the Interstate Commerce Commission
and they are to be subject to the scru-
tiny of the attorney general. but not of
the general public. The attorney gem
eral is authorized to appoint fifty spe-
cial agents to seek out violations OF the
law.
Representative Hull, chairman of the
House committee on military affairs.
has introduced n bill creating general
staff corps OF the United States army.
The bill provides that the staff be COM
posed OF officers detailed from the army
at large, under such rules as the Pres
ident may prescribe. The proposed du-
ties OF the STAFF are to prepare plans
for the national defense and for the
mobilization OF the military forces In
time OF war; to investigate and report
on all questions affecting the efficiency
OF the army and its state OF prepared
ness for military operations. to render
professional aid TO the secretary OF war
and TO general officers and other supe-
rior commanders. and TO act as their
agents In forming and oo-ordinating
action OF all the different officers In
carrying out their orders. 1t is pro-
posed that the general stan corps con-
sist OF one chief OF stan of the army.
with the rank and pay OF lieutenant
general; one major general and. one
brigadier general. to be detailed by the
President from officers at large not be-
low the grade OF brisadier general:
four colonels. six lieutenant colonies
and twelve majors. to be detailed from
the corresponding grades In the army
at large; twenty captains. mounted.
Representative Bell OF Colorado In
troduced bill which he intends to
press at the present session making
certain amendments In the irrigation
law OF the last session. The changes
are intended primarily to meet condi-
tions In Colorado. and do not seriously
alter the intent or character OF the
present law. In fact, says Mr.. Bell. the
amendments rather carry out the orig
inal intent OF the legislation. filling In
omissions. M II were. The ilrst amend
mont permits acquisition OF reclaimed
lands under cash entry. as well aa
under the homestead law. In cases
where the land In par, Of former In
dian reservations open To sc,. .cmcnt
under treaties which stipulatc that the
Indians shall be paid no much an acre
for their lands. In the region to be
reclaimed by the Gunnison river prof.
cct there IN n considerable area form
crly included In the Ute Indian rcscr-
yationa. which could hardly be acquired
under the homestead law on account OF
the payment Insured 10 Indians An
other amendment permits the secretary
OF the Interior. AT his discretion. 10
lease for mechapical. manufacturing.
electric or general power purposes
water which iB used In irrigation sya-
tens for periods OF not exceeding
thirty years. when such use Of water
VIA not materially lnInrc or decrease
the efficiency Of the water for irrlga.