Evening star., 1902-01-30
The Bill for Permanent Census Taken
Up.
EXPLANATION BY CHAIRMAN HOPKINS
Bill Passed for the Protection of
Miners.
TILLMAN CRITICISES LODGE

After some preliminary minor business
today in the House the committees were
called and Mr.. Moody (Oregon). from the
committee on mining, presented bill for
the protection of the lives Of miners in the
territories. 1t provides that In every mine
over 100 feet in depth mine owners be re-
auired to provide $500 cubic feet of pure
air for every fifty miners.
Mr.. Lacey Qowa), the author Of the bill.
urged the Importance of proper ventila-
ton Of coal mines. He offered an amend
ment providing that the managers of coal
mines should employ shot firers to fire
shots therein.
The Lacey amendment was adopted and
the bill was passed
The House then went into committee of
the whole and entered upon the considera-
ton of the bill for the creation of perma-
nent census bureau.
Chairman Hopkins Explains.
In his general explanation of the bill Mr..
Hopkins was interrupted by Mr.. Burkett of
Nebraska, who has opposed the previous
bill for the creation of a permanent CEN
sus bureau, and asked many questions re-
garding the details of the present bill. Mr..
Burkett wanted 10 know il any statisticians
had been consulted as to the adviSability
of creating permanent bureau, to which
Mr.. Hopkins replied that only the director
Of the census and Mr.. Foulke of the civil
service commission had been heard by his
committee.
Mr.. Hopkins made several unsuccessful
attempts to obtain a limit to the debate on
the bill. but objection was made each time
by Mr.. Burkett and also by Mr., Maddox
Dem) of Georgia.
In answer TO question by Mr.. Pearre of
Maryland, Mr.. Hopkins said that no tenn
porary clerks of the census bureau would
be included in the classified civil service
as they would all be discharged before the
bureau would be included under the civil
service.
In answer to another question, Mr. Hop
kfns said that supervisors of the census
would be included under the civil service
but that enumerators would not.
Mr.. Robinson of Indiana said that he ur-
derstood that there were number of per-
sons in the census bureau employed as
skilled laborerS doing the work of clerks
and he wanted to know If they would be
included under the civil service.
Mr. Hopkins replied that he thought Mr..
Robinson was mistaken; that no such per-
sons were employed there. Mr.. Hopkins
consumed all but ten minutes of his hour,
at which time he yielded the floor to Mr.
Maddox. who opposed the bill
Mr.. Hopkins, chairman of the census
committee, which reported the bill, took the
floor and explained its provisions. He said
that the committee in the preparation of
the Dill had endeayored to meet the de-
uaTdS OF tne House, as evidenced when the
Dill was before the House ten days ago.
Mr.. Maddox (Ga.) Interrupted to express
the opinion that the proposed collection of
annual statistics upon cotton, under the
btu, was in the interests of the specula-
tors
II am sorry to hear gentleman from the
south express such an opinion" observed
MIR. Hopkins The collection of these sta
tistics will be for the benefit of the planter,
manufacturer and laborer."
In reference to the civil service provision
OF the bill Mr.. Ball asked If Mr.. Hopkins
would accept an amendment to provide
that clerks eligible to transfer or retention
under the bill should be apportioned among
the states according to population.
Mr.. Hopkins replied that such an amend
ment was unnecessary. and alluded to the
weii-known civil service record of the Pres
ident as guarantee that justice and fair
dealing would prevail.
Mr.. kluttz IN. c. advocated the passa pe
OF the bill, urging the provision for the an
nual collection of cotton statistics as an
especial reason why the bill should com
mend itself to members from cotton-grow-
Ing states.
Under the latitude allowed for debate Mr.
Thayer CMass) presented petition signed
oy l.2uO business men of Worcester Mas
IN favor of reciprocity with Canada.