The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-19
Bill Passed by the House Providing
for a Levy of % Per Cent. Instead
of IS, Now.
PURE FOOD BILL DISCUSSED
ANOTHER BILL PROVIDING FOR
ELASTIC CURRENCY INTRODUCED.
Favorable Report on the Eight-HOur
Measure-PrOpOsed Currency for
the Philippine Islands.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1S-The House to-
day passed the bill to reduce the duties
on the products of the Philippine islands
coming into the United States from IS per
cent. of the Dingley rates (the present du-
ties) to % per cent. of those rates. The
discussion of the bill was accompanied by
considerable maneuvering on the Demo-
cratic side to secure test votes on various
amendments designed to lower the tariff
barrier still further and record vote was
forced on a motion to reeommit, with in
structions to report a bill providing for
absolute free trade with the islands. The
division on this proposition was on party
lines, with the exception of Mr.. Mccall
(Rep.), of Massachusetts, who voted with
the Democrats.
The discussion of the pure food bill, which
has been continuing order until finally
disposed of, was begun. Mr.. Tompkins, of
Ohio. and Mr.. Tompkins. of New York,
opened the debate, respectively, for and
against the bill. Mr. Gardner, of Massa-
chusetts, opposed the bill.
Mr.. McCall's resolution calling on the
State Department for the Venezuelan cor
respondence was adopted at the beginning
of the session.
Der of the committee on banking and cur
rency, introduced bill to provide an elias
tic or emergency currency TO meet the
financial and commercial requirements of
the country. The bill authorizes the con-
troler of the currency to issue to any ma
tional banking association, in addition to
the circulation now authorized by law, cir
culating notes to an amount not exceeding
1f oil
| plus of said bank
joint resolution was introduced by Mr..
Tawney, chairman of the committee on in
dustrial arts and expositions, providing
that the alien contract labor law shall not
operate to prevent foreign exhibitors at
the Louisiana Purchase Exhibition at ST.
| Louis from bringing into the United States
under contract such employees, natives of
foreign countries, as they may deem neces-
| sary for specified purposes, subject to the
| approval of the treasury.
The military affairs committee to-day au-
thorized a favorable report on the bill
| drafted by the War Department creating
| a general staff corps in the army, but rec
| commended two important amendments, one
| of which eliminates the provision in the
| bill for the discontfnuance of the inspector
| generals department., thus leaving it as a
| bureau of the War Department. The other
amendment prevents the giving brigadier
| general who might be detailed to the staff
| the rank and pay of lieutenant general
or major general as contemplated in the
| bill
The foreign affairs committee gave con-
| sideration to-day to the resolution intro
dueed by Representative William A. Smith,
of Michigan, calling upon the State Depart
| ment for Information concerning the cir
cumstances of the shooting Of William A.
| Fitzgerald, an American citizen In Guate-
mala, together with such reports and cor
| respondence as may be on record In the
| department. The inquiry was made in the
| committee as to the necessity for such an
inquiry at this time, in view of the fact
that the matter has been left to the Guate-
| malan courts. In the absence of Mr.. Smith
| action on the resolution was deferred until
he could be heard.
Representative Shafroth appeared before
the committee to urge action on a joint res
olution which he introduced authorizing the
President to propose to Great Britain and
| Germany to submit their claims against
| Venezuela to arbitration and to guarantee
the payment of awards. Mr.. Shafroth said
that war In Venezuela would make a vio-
lence TO the Monroe doctrine probable He
did not think the objection that this guar
antee might establish a precedent should
control. as other cases could be met as they
arose. Shafroth expressed the opinion that
the trouble in Venezuela would not end
until the United States guarantees pay
ment of Whatever demands are made. Gas
less accompanied by a guarantee by the
United States 1t can be given by no other
nation and by no body Of men in Venezuela
now"
The House committee on patents gave
hearings on the recommendations of the
international patent convention with a view
and Greeley, who were delegates from the
United States to that convection and Com
missioner of Patents Allen were heard.
The committee authorized a favorable re-
port on the bill to modify the practice In
matters of temporary injunction where in
fringement is claimed. providing that in
functions shall not be denied merely be-
cause patents have not been adjudicated
in the courts