Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-01-13
WASHINGTON NOTES.

A call for caucus OF the Republican
members OF the house to consider
reduction OF war revenue tax Is being
circulated.
The Republican members Of the Sem
ate committee on the Philippines had
conference today and considered the
house tariff bill.
When the Senate met today Mr., Ma
son gave notice that tomorrow he would
address the Senate in reference to
Cuban customs duties, a bill and
resolution relating to which was intro
duced by him today.
Mr.. Bell Of Colorado today made a
speech in the House OF Representatives
denouncing the pension sharps." He
said many soldiers returning from the
Philippines discharged In a perfectly
sound condition were being induced to
apply for pensions by these attorneys.
The Senate committee on inter-ocean-
lc canals held session today and NJ.
Lampre Of the Panama Canal company,
was again before H. Senator Morgan
questioned him very closely and az
length. going over the examination OF
Saturday, but not bringing out any
new facts OF especial Importance. The
committee will meet again tomorrow
Mr.. Hoar In the Senate today intro
duced a resolution providing for the
appointment Of committee OF seven
senators to examine into the conduct
OF the war In the Philippines, the adj
ministratIon Of the government there,
the condition Of character of the inhab-
itants there, said committee to have
power 20 send for persons and papers,
TO administer 0aths and TO sit during
the sessions of the Senate.
In the United States Supreme Court
Chief Justice Fuller announced today
that argument on the application or
the state Of Minnesota for leave to file
q bill Of complaint against the North
ern Securities company bearing upon
the consolidation OF the Northern Pa
cihc with other railroad companies,
would be heard Monday, Jan. r.. The
chief justice also issued an order re-
curing that notice OF the appeal should
be given to the Northern Securities
company.
The project Of giving national as
poet to the Chicago drainage canal,
making II a link In water connection
between the great lakes and the gulf
was considered today by the House
committee on rivera and harhors TWO
delegations from Chicago were present,
one including the officers Of the ssnl-
tary district interested In this larger
project and another headed by Former
Representative Adams Of Chicago, who
appeared In advocacy OF improved nav
igation facilities, including turning Da-
sins in the Chicago river
Justice Gray, of the United States SUI
preme court today delivered an opinion
in the case of Butting VS. the Common
wealth of Massachusetts, involving the
constitutionality OF the state law OF
that state, prescribing penalties upon
brokers or others who negotiate or
make contracts In the state OF Massa-
chusetts with insurance companies
which are not admitted to do business
I'm the state. Nutting secured a policy
for a customer in a foreign company
and was proceeded against under the
law. He urged that the statute was In
contrayentlon OF the federal constitu-
ton. but the supreme court OF Massa-
chusetts decided to the contrary and
todays opinion upholds that decision.
Before the Senate committee on pens
slons today the charge against Col,
Wilder S. Metoalfe, OF the killing o
prisoner While In service in the Philip
pines, was revived. Col, Melcalf is the
nominee TO the Office of pension agent
at Topeka, Kansas, and the charge IL
made I'm connection with the effort TO
defeat his confirmation, Col Metcalf
was a major in the Twentieth Kansas
volunteers when the battle OF Caloo|
can was fought and the charge Is that
during the battle he shot with his re-
yolver a Filipino prisoner who was UNI
armed and al the time on his knees
pleading for mercy. Afildavits from
soldiers in the Twentieth Kansas have
been filed with the committee and
Captain Edward Boltwood. late Captain
Of Company X Of this regiment, APP
peared before the committee In person.
He pressed for full investigation, say
ing that the inquiry which had been
made by the war department was SUI
perhcial. The committee heard Captain
Boltwood at length and at the conclu-
sion OF the hearing Chairman Gallinger
referred the nomination to Senator'S
Simon, Scott and McCumber for FUR
Their investigation.