Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1902-07-02

interest to the commercial world is
the pure food measure, which was
drafted by the pure food congress, and
after extended hearings was reported
from the house committee on com
merce but not passed
The Fowler bill probably was the
most important financial measure
which has been brought before the
congress. After much discussion and
several conferences it has gone over
for consideration until next December.
Another financial measure, known as
the Hull bill. providing for the coin.
age of subsidiary silver and for the re-
tirement Of the present standard dol.
lar. has passed the house, but has not
been acted on in the senate.
Other Important Laws.
Among the other important meas
ures of general legislation not hereto
fore named, which have finally been
enacted as laws are the following:
To prevent the sale OF firearms,
opium and intoxicating liquors to the.
natives of certain of the Pacific isl
ands: to promote the efficiency of the
revenue cutter service and to provide
for the retirement of it's officers: to re.
fund the duties paid in Porto Rico on
articles imported from the United
States during the military occupation;
appropriating 100000 for the relief
of the volcano sufferers at Martinique;
authorizing the erection of Y. M. C. A.
buildings on United States military
reservations; regulating the introduc.
tion of English birds for the purpose
of propagation; providing for the pro
lection of game in Alaska, such as car.
iboo. moose. etc; refunding the
amount of legacy tax paid by char
liable, benevolent and elemosynary
institutions.
Amounts of Appropriations.
The amount of appropriations of the
session will run unusually high, owing
in part to the amount required to build
the isthmian canal When Mr.. Cannon
submitted a general estimate of appro-
priations few weeks ago he made the
total up to that time S691, ,445, 900.
Since then the canal bill has passed.
carrying a present appropriation of
S40.0OO,000 and enough more for the
rights of Colombia and for beginning
the work to carry the total up to $50.
900, 900.
The entire cost OF the undertaking
is approximately 1854. 100000. Mr..
Cannon's estimate also omitted con.
tracts for future expenditures includ
ed in the omnibus public buildings bill
the omnibus claims and various bills
aggregating large amount. This will
carry the total for the session, flgur.
ing in these future amounts, almost, If
not quite, up to the billion dollar mark.
The appropriations bills have con.
tained little general legislation, being
confined chiefly to the regular needs
of the various branches OF the govern.
ment. The naval bill provided for an
addition of two armored cruisers, two
battleships and two gunboats to the
navy and provision is still on con
troversy as to whether one of each
class of these ships shall be built In
government yards.
Several investigations.
There have been several investiga-
tions during the session which have at
tracted much attention. An investiga-
ton of conditions in the Philippines,
conducted by the Philippine commit
tee of the senate, has led to the exam.
ination Of many witnesses high in the
conduct OF civil and military affairs in
the islands.
Another senate inquiry has related
to the conduct OF affairs in Cuba. and
especially as to the affairs of sugar.
In the house sensation was caused
by the charge of fraud In connection