Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1902-12-22
SENATE FAVORABLE.
Public Demand Has Stirred
Members TO Action on Anti
Trust Legislation.
WILL FIGHT INCREASE IN NAVY.
President Roosevelt Seems to Have
Won His Battle in Behalf Of Cuban
Have Withdrawn Objections.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Seems to


tor Hoar, chairman of the judiciary
committee Of the senate, earnestly at
work on a bill for the better regula-
ton of trusts, with other leaders in
the senate working for such legisla-
ton, and the judiciary committee OF
the house about to report bill with
the same object in view, the prospect
OF antitrust legislation at the presen.
session is now far better than at the
beginning
Certain senators came to Washing
ton opposed to such legislation,
among them Senator Hoar himself
Others came lukewarm and doubtful
These are now admitting that legis-
lation will pass. Their chief reason
Of objection was entirely constitu-
tional. They questioned whether or
not congress had reached its limit in
legislation affecting interstate cor
porations. A member of the senate
judiciary committee, who has been
carefully considering the subject, last
night said:
Il have peen in some doubt as to
the constitutionality Of further legis-
lation regulating what are called in
terstate trusts. There are many de-
cisions of the court bearing on this
question, but none seems to answer
precisely the present case, especially
the qeustion of so-called publicity.
There seems to be a persistent de-
mand for further legislation. We
might as well pass it and let the court
decide the question of constitution
atty, il it is ever brought to it."
Increase of Navy.
It is the senate chamber which will
be the battlefield over substantial
increase in the navy. The house of
representatives is likely to pass ap-
preparations for at least four fighting
ships, which is further than congress
has ever gone at short session. In
deed, the house may make the in
crease six. There is disposition ia
the senate not to go so far.
Senator Hale, of Maine, who Is
chairman of the committee on naval
affairs, is not disposed to regard the
Venezuelan incident as furnishing any
argument which he did not have be-
fore in favor of larger naval in
crease than congress has steadily pro-
yided for. Senator Plat, of New
York, another member Of the commit
tee, thinks We nave enough warships
now. Senator lIale does not go as
far as Senator Plat in inclining
against liberal appropriations for new
ships, but his view, which must be
met and overcome, is distinctly
against going forward more rapidly
than in the past Senator Hale, as
chairman of the committee which will
recommend the appropriations, and ae
one of the older senators. is the man
who holds the key to the situation. In
discussing the naval increase yester-
day he said:
u see nothing whatever in Vene-
zuela incidents to cause excitement in
the matter of increasing the navy.
One question of importance to Be de-
cided by naval authorities now is
whether or not 1t would not be part of
good business economy to lay up for
time some of the larger battleships
leaving on board instead Of an entire
crew. only enough men to keep them
in readiness for action. This will be-
come necessary. as the new ships are
completed, unless congress authorizes
an Increase in the personnel"
Cuban Reciprocity.
President Roosevelt has undeubted-
ly won his long and hard battle in be-
half of Cuban reciprocity. The treaty
now pending in the senate committee
on foreign relations will probably be
ratified. Today leading members OF
the Michigan delegation in congress
the origin and head center of oppos
ton to granting reciprocity to Cuba
will meet at Grand Rapids and formal
ly withdraw their opposition to the
treaty. Senator Burrows and Sena-
tor Alger will be found voting in it's
favor when it comes up for ratffica-
ton. Senator Elkins, of West Vir-
ginia, a leader of the Boxers"
throughout the last session, has al
ready announced to the president that
he has withdrawn his opposition
Only one matter of difficulty re-
mains. The question OF the participa-
ton of the house in reciprocity
treaty affecting the revenues of the
government Chairman Payne and
representative Dalzell, of the ways
and means committee, have an.
nOunced 10 the nresidan4 thot fhov