The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-13
ARMY REFORMS ADVOCATED
SECRETARY ROOT BEFORE THE
HOUSE MILITARY COMMITTEE.
Argument i'm Favor of the Bill Gre
ating General stan and COnsoI-
idating Various Bureaus.


and came after brief report by Senator
Morgan, chairman of the committee, de-
failing the result of conference with Sec
rotary Hay as to the status of diplomatic
negotiations with the Central American re-
publics concerning the canal. He stated
that the secretary had told him that there
are no negotiations in progress between the
United States and Colombia concerning the
Panama route and that the new minister
from Colombia had not even presented his
credentials; but that on the other hand the
representatives OF this country and those
of Nicaragua and Costa Rica had been in
consultation and had agreed upon practi
cally all the points to be covered in con-
cesson treaties, nothing really being left
in that connection but to put the agree
ment in writing. He said that the govern
ments Of those two countries had mani
tested disposition to make all the con-
cessions the United States could ask to aid
in the construction of a canal and that
among these concessions is one for per-
petual right of way.
When the recitation of the report had been
completed Senator Hanna suggested that
probably the Colombian minister had been
detained by untoward circumstances and
proposed that action by the committee
should be delayed until an opportunity
could be had to ascertain Colombias posi-
ton. This suggestion met with a strong
protest from the friends of the Nicaragua
route and Senator Mitchell moved to re-
port the Hepburn bill as 1t passed the
House. Senator Kittridge moved to amend
by postponing action until next Monday
but his motion was voted down. to l.
Senator MitchelPs motion was carried by
the same vote reversed. Some of the mem
bers of the committee were absent, but
as their positions were understood their
votes were counted. The vote the Hep
Hawley, Platt of New York, Harris Tur-
ner, Foster of louisiana: nays Hanna
Pritchard, Willard. Kittredge.
Senator Morgan after the adjournment of
the committee said that he probably would
report the bill TO the Senate Tomorrow
While he would use all due diligence in Sc
curing consideration or the measure, he had
had no conference with the Republican
leaders of the Senate as to when the meas
ure should be taken up for consideration
He had not been authorized to present a
written report and would not present any
beyond submitting the testimony taken dur
ing the committee hearings
The Hepburn bill authorizes the Presi-
dent to acquire territory for right of way
for canal from Costa Rica and Nicaragua:
direct construction of a canal of sufficient
capacity to accommodate the largest ships
from GreytoWn, the Atlantic via Lake
Nicaragua to Brito, on the Pacific under
the supervision of the secretary of war:
authorizes surveys of the harbors at the
two ends of the route: guarantees the use
of the canal TO vessels of Costa RIGA and
Nicaragua, and appropriates $4,000 900 for
beginning the work.
The protest lodged by the Chinese gov
eminent with Minister Conger at Picking
against further restrictive action upon
Chinese emigration to the United States.
and especially the Philippines and Hawaii
is in continuation of the efforts initiated
by Minister WI here The minister soon
after he assumed office, began to file nro-
tests with the State Department, and he
has since conducted vigorous an agita-
ton against Chinese exclusion that, al
though ii was recognized that he was
simply carrying out the directions of his
government the minister was made the
object of vigorous attack by the news
papers here some even demanding his
ejectment. 1t is supposed that Minister
WI has acquainted the home government
with the situation here and the danger to
himself 20 further activity in this matter
and that the Chinese Foreign Office ac,
cordingly has taken up the work itself
XXX
The hearings on pure-food legislation
continued to-day before the House COM
mittee on commerce. Edward Grosvenor be-
ing heard in behalf of the Association of
manufacturers of Food Products. and
George A. Shearer, speaking for the Ma
tional Association of Retail Grocers. The
discussion was chiefly on the comparative
merits of the several bills proposed Mr.
Grosvenor favored the bill of Representa-
tive Corliss, providing for national food
commission. He argued against giving au-
tocratic power to officials, and also as to
the desirability of trusting to some extent
to the intelligence of buyers and the usual
laws of competition and trade Chairman
Hepburn asked a series of questions, seek
ing to develop the point that some of the
legislation proposed was lacking in effec-
tive features OF protection and punish
ment Mr.. Shearer spoke in favor of pro-
lection to the trade and public against
properties injurious to health but held that
onerous restrictions should not be imposed.
The hearings continue tomorrow.
Xxx
Secretary Root to-day made an argument
before the Senate committee on military
affairs in support of the bill creating a gen.
eraI staff and consolidating the quarter
masters, the commissary and the pay bu-
reaus of the army under one head to be
known as the supply bureau. He said that
the experience of the department during
the war with Spain had demonstrated the
wisdom of this consolidation. and that il
was demanded by all considerations of ex-
pediency, efficiency and economy. He said
the creation OF a general staff would give
an official standing to many army officers
now detailed for special work in the War
Department The work upon which they
are engaged he said. the preparation of
plans for military operation, etc. is very
necessary in case of hostilities The COM
rnittee did not act under the bill.
The House committee on public lands to-
day authorized a favorable report on the
bill authorizing the President TO transfer
from the Interior 10 the Agricultural De
partment forest reserves when their boun-
diaries are permanently established. and
also authorizing the President to establish
portions of the forest reserves as game
and fish preserves The bill is the result OF
conferences OF Chairman Lacey, its author
and executive officials, and under it it is
expected that game and fish preserves will
be established. especially in Alaska, for the
preservation of big game and fish before
some OF the species become extinct
Brigadier General David s. Stanley, L.
S N. retired. who rendered gallant and
distinguished services in the war Of the re-
belion. is lying very dangerously i'll at his
home I'm this city. General Stanley is un-
conscious. and but one termination TO his
illness is foreseen. His ailment is chronic
Bright's disease.
1t is stated that the trouble growing out
of the collision between Russian soldiers
and American sailors of the United States
steamship Vicksburg at Niuchwang has