The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-01
Bill for Compensation and Expenses
One of the First Up for Action.
ADMISSION OF THE TERRITORIES
THIS WILL BE THE FIRST SUBJECT
OF SENATORIAL ACTION.
Form of Legislation Hinges on Very
Narrow Contingencies-Other Mat
ters to BE Under Consideration.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 30.-When the
House convenes tomorrow to enter on the
final session of the Fifty-seventh Congress.
perfect deluge of bills dealing with the
trust question. in all it's phases. will be
thrown into the legislative hopper. 1t is
admitted on all hands that this will be the
most important topic of discussion. In
deed, the leaders incline to the belief that
beyond the appropriation bills and routine
legislation it will be the only general sub
ject on which there is a chance of action
at the short session. AS yet the leaders
have formulated no measure, and there ex-
lists pretty wide divergence of opinion as
to what can or should be done. The Presi-
dents recommendations on the subject are
awaited with interest The most conserv-
ative opinion among the Republican lead
ers seems to favor an appropriation for the
enforcement of the Sherman antitrust law.
Such an appropriation, it is pointed out,
could be placed on one of the regular ap-
preparation bills and put through both
houses without difficulty, whereas any
amendment to the law itself, no matter
how conservative, probably would meet op-
position. Mr.. Hepburn, of Iowa. chairman
of the interstate and foreign commerce
committee. Is one of those who believe that
the Sherman law, if enforced, is sufficient
to meet the situation, and tomorrow he
will introduce bill appropriating $500, 200
to be used by the Department of Justice in
prosecutions under the present law. 1t is
not improbable. when the leaders ascertain
exactly what can be done, that caucus of
Republicans will be called to agree on a
measure. Meantime the trust bills intro
duced probably will be referred to the ju-
dietary committee.
There is some question of jurisdiction. If
a bill invokes the interstate commerce
clause of the Constitution, 1t properly
should go to the commerce committee; If
the taxing power of the government to the
ways and means committee. But to secure
uniformity, all bills dealing with the SUBJ
ject have gone heretofore to the judiciary
committee, and this practice will be fol-
lowed unless fight for jurisdiction is made.
The leaders already have resolved to ex-
pedite the appropriation bills as much as
possible, in order to allow the largest mar
gin of time for other matters. Mr.. Cannon.
chairman of the appropriations committee,
believes that the executive and judicial and
the pension appropriation bills can be dis
posed of before the holidays. His commit
supply bills as rapidly as possible. The ex-
ecutive and pension bills probably will be
read before the end of the week. One of
the first things the. appropriation commit
tee will be called on to do, however, is to
prepare a bill to provide for the coal strike
commission. Judge Gray, chairman of the
commission, has written to Mr.. Cannon
asking for an appropriation of $4,000 to de-
fray the expenses of the commission, to
pay Its clerical force and to furnish such
compensation for it's members as the Pres
ont G< he lot frraeJ ar,,ff
tee will meet tomorrow to prepare bill,
which IL is believed will be presented and
passed this week. No opposition to it from
the minority is anticipated
The session Of the House tomorrow will
be brief The roll will be called and the
announcement made of the deaths that
have occurred during the recess. The
House will adjourn until Tuesday, when
the Presidents message will be read. There
is no programme for the remainder of the
week beyond the bill to defray the expenses
of the coal strike commission. If the reg
ular order is demanded the London dock
charge bill is the unfinished business.