Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-01-23
A NEW DEPARTMENT.
The Bill for a Secretary Of Com
merce Debated by Senators.
DECISION ON SECOyD-CLASS NATTER.


yesterday LOT u DTlcl tiilio iluu uhuoi
consideration the bill creating a de-
partment of commerce and the dis
cussion tended to show that the
measure will have to be amended in
many particulars before it can re-
ceive the approval of the senate. Sc
rious objections were raised to the
transfer to the proposed department
of several important bureaus now a
part Of other departments OF the gov
eminent. 1t was pointed out that IT
the bill as reported became law it
would create the greatest department
OF the government and that the sec
rotary of commerce would have more
power even than the secretary OF the
treasury. Notice of several impor-
tant amendments was given.
Senator Platt, of Connecticut. in
troduccd an amendment to the copy
right law granting copyright for IL
months to books written in foreign
language and printed abroad, such
authors to use this time in making
arrangements to perfect their rights
under existing law. The amendment
was suggested by the Copyright
league.
Senator Mason said yesterday that
he expected to address the senate
on a question of personal privilege
next week to deny the report circu-
lated in Illinois and elsewhere to the
effect that he is opposed to rural
free delivery. He added that as a
member Of the post Office committee
for the past four years he consist
entity and upon all occasions had adj
yocated the extension of the rural
free delivery system and as chair
man Of the committee this session
he purposed to advocate liberal in
crease of the appropriation for an eX-
tension of the service.
Senator Harris introduced a bill
providing for the government owner
ship Of telegraph lines OF the United
States.
A large number Of uncontested bills
and private pension measures were
passed. after which the senate adj
iourned until Monday.
Decision on Second Glass Matter
Washington. Jan IL Ex-Postmas-
ter General and Mrs. Charles Emory
Smith left here yesterday afternoon
for Philadelphia to resume their resi-
dence there. 1t was announced that
one of Postmaster General Smiths
last acts before yielding the office to
Mr.. Payne was decision OF con-
siderable interest to publishers in
connection with the new regulations
regarding second-class privileges.
The decision sustained Third Assist
ant Postmaster General Madden in
excluding under those regulations
"the official guide of the railways"
whose case had been legally pressed
ms in the nature OF a test appeal.
Mr.. Smith held that the publication
does not possess the essential charac-
teristics required for admission to
the second-class under the new rules.
The issue, he ruled, was as to
whether the repufllcauon OF time
tables, mainly without change, con-
stituted news.
Naval Onicers Rather Scarce
Washington, Jan. 17.-The navy de-
partment is expecting trouble in md
inc enough officers OF high rank to
meet the demands for sea service.
and at the great naval stations and
Yards where the custom requires the
detail of an officer not below the
grade of rear admiral to command.
Word came to the navigation bureau
Yesterday that Capt. Phillip Coop
Or who is in New York, but who has
been assigned to command the navy
yard in Pensacola, had fallen i'll with
typhoid fever. He was to relieve
Admiral Frank Wildes who is going
TO relieve Admiral Kempif on the
Asiatic station. This last order will
he carried out, but some one must
be found to take Capt. Cooper's as
Signment.
To Consolidate into One Department
Washington, Jan. 1.-THE secre'
tary of war is preparing draft OF a
bill, for submission to congress pro-
vidinr for the consolidation of the
nuartermasters', subsistence and pay
departments Of the army into one
general department, with an officer
I Of the rank Of major general at its
head. 1t is provided that the new de-
nortment shall be divided into -four
divisions, to have separate direction
of the affairs Of transportation, con
/ struction and supply, subsistence and
finance, each division to be in charge
OF an officer skilled and experienced
in its business.
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