Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-12-18

ufacturerS. Iney declare tnat IL Woulu
be ruinous to their business and is
socialistic in some features. The
champions of the labor interests on
the other hand are putting up some
strong arguments for their case. The
bill provides an eight hour day shall
be observed for laborers on govern
ment contracts and is consequently
receiving the most opposition from
ship builders and armor plate firms.
Labor leaders say that the bill is sure
to be reported and passed.
Sunday Sessions.
The house of representatives has
has voted to hold two Sunday sessions
in February. A session will be held
February to pay tribute to the mem
DRY of Senator Mcmillan of Michigan
and one February to pay tribute to
the memory of Senator Sewell of New
Jersey.
Secretary Wilson objects.
In the discussion. of the formation
of the new department of commerce it
has been suggested that some of the
bureaus of the department of agricul-
ture should be placed therein. Secre-
tay Wilson, however, objects to this
proposition. He wants his depart
ment left undisturbed. The bureau of
statistics was one especially selected
to transfer to the new department.
Secretary Wilson, however, declares
that if such was done it would mean
death to the valuable service rendered
| by that branch of his work. The 240,-
900 correspondents of the bureau from
whom statistics are obtained are most
| ly farmers and it is declared that their
jealousy of commercial organizations
would result in the service melting
away. This feature of the agricultural
department saves the farmers of the
country thousands of dollars every
year. Year before last the people of
the south We're saved $75,000,000 to
$1O0, 100000 by being furnished with
accurate information concerning the
size of the cotton crop.
i Washington Union Depot.
To the people of Washington one of
the most interesting bills before the
house at this session is that providing
for magnificent new union depot.
The total cost of the enterprise will be
NEARLY S3,000,000 The railroads will
be furnished site, the government
ipaying one-half the cost and the Dis
trict of Columbia the other half The
4 Baltimore & Ohio railroad will be paid
a bonus of $1.OO0,00O; grading and
paving will cost $500,000; real estate
to be purchased will cost 100000;
damage resulting to the adjacent prop.
erty is estimated at 100000, and other
expenditures $4,000. 1t is declared
that the structure will be monumen
tai one and one of the sights of the
capital city.
Washington, D. c., Dec. 13.-Some
keen eyes looking into the future are
beginning to see international COM
plications ahead for the United States
in connection with the Venezuelan
} trouble. The Monroe doctrine may
J push the United States into the game
1t is considered suspicious, to say the
least to have two rich and powerful
creditors press their claims on an alb
solutely impoverished country. Presi
dent Castro sayes himself that if Civ
: en- time Venezuela might pay he
debts, but an empty treasury will no
pay the most just of just debts. Nov
that England and Germany have seiZ
ed Venezuelan custom ohuse to collec
revenues until they have obtained
enough to settle their claims. Castr,
has threatened to proclaim free trade
with all the world. This will cos
Venezuela nothing, for the revenues, i
, there were any, would be taken b.
England and Germany, anyhow. o.
: the contrary it will serve Castro
purpose by putting England and Gel
, many in the position of levying take
!. in Venezuela's name with Venezuela
: authority. Thus would those who ha
3 to pay import duties at Venezuelan
3 harbors be paying England and Gel
: manys account practically out of thei
: own pockets. This would not be to-
: Grated. But what are the creditors t
i do. Castro is logged and determined
e He is not coward and not incompe
: tent. He says if he is given time h
will pay up, if not, he won't. Their
is one more step for the creditors
Invasion. This would violate the MOI
d roe doctrine and would bring the Uni
> ed States into the fuss immediateI,
e The London Dock Bill.
t Congressman Hepburn says that h
S opposed the London dock bill simpl
l. because 1t was selfish move on tn
L part of the flour manufacturers of tn
d country. The bill was designed t
It prohibit ship companies from placin
s in their contracts for carrying freigt
It clauses relieving them from liabilit
s for damage or loss in loading or III
n loading for the payment of any landin
S or dock charges. The bill was Anne
IS at the dock charges at London Ind
l. rectly it affected Iowa through tn
II states grain crop. For this reason
!. majority of the Iowa delegation stoo
1t with the millers and voted for the bill
d Mr.. Hepburn, however, took anothe
1t view of the matter. The fight on til
floor was no partisan one.
Will Appropriate 100000.
n AS far as l have interviewed I'll
Le delegation l find the Iowa congress
IT men heartily in favor of the bill q
le lowing Secretary of Agriculture Wi
e. son $1,000.000 to be used in STAN