The daily Republican., 1902-12-03
CONGRESS HEARS
THE MESSAGE.
Pre- sident Appears Determin-
ed to Force Consideration
of Anti Trust Measures.
ALGER TAKES THE OATH.
antitrust Bill and a Measure
Creating General Staff
Corps Intro
duced.

the session or the senate yesterday
was heightened by the fact that the
presidents message to congress would
be read and also that General Russell
A. Alger of Michigan, former secretary
of war under President Mckinley,
would be sworn in to fill the vacancy
caused by the death of Senator Nc
MILAN. His desk and chair were hid
den beneath mass of flowers, and as
he took his scat he was surrounded by
q number of his colleagues, who ex-
gallery were number of General AL
gers personal friends and members Of
his family.
One hour and fifteen minutes were
consumed in reading the presidents
message Almost the entire Repub-
lican representation were in their seats,
but not more than half the seats on the
Democratic side were occupied. The
closest attention was paid to the mes"
sage as it was being read.
A Dunber of bills and resolutions
were introduced, following brief OK.
ecutive session. The resignation of
the Rev. W. II. Milburn. the blind
chaplain of the senate. was received
VITA genuine regret. lie had become
Il familiar figure in the body and was
personally acquainted with every sell
ator. No action was taken Oh the res
ignation.
At $50 y. II. the senate adjourned
out Of respect to the memory Of the.
late Charles 4. Russell representative
from Connecticut.
The house was in session an hour
md forty minutes. One hour Of that
time was consumed in reading the
presidents message. The reading was
listened to with attention by members
without regard to party, but without
demonstration, except at the conclu-
sion Of the reading, when the Repub-
Leans applauded generously. Mr.. Can
non, chairman of the committee on
appropriations, gave notice that
the bill to defray the expenses
Of the coal strike commission
would be called up today. The deaths
Of the late Representatives De Graf !
fenreid and Sheppard (Tex.), which
occurred during the recess, were an
nounced, and after adopting the GUS
tomary resolutions of regret the house
4 Il jn fu nh pf
'pect to their memories.
There appears to be no doubt that
he president is determined TO force
he consideration Of antitrust measures
It this session of congress. The intro
luction of a bill aimed at trusts by
senator CullOm and the reference of
ntitrust legislation in the house to a
of the committee on ju-
iciary, Of which Representative Lit
letield (Me) Is chairman, shows that
he influence of the president is para
1ount at the start
The Cullom antitrust bill authorizes
be attorney general or any district at
orney to make application to the fed
raj judges for the sumnoning Of per-
ons before them to answer questions
s to material violations of the anti
'ust law in advance of the trial of a
ise and requires the judges to issue
'ders for the appearance Of such per-
'ns upon this application. In such
lses witnesses are to be protected
yainst prosecution on account of their
but they are to be deprived
the right to refuse to answer be-
use Of self elimination. Annual re- {
'rts are required to be made by all t
'rsOns, firms or corporations engag-
g IN interstate commerce. They are !
be filed with the interstate commerce ,
and they are to be subject
the scrutiny of the attorney general,
It not for the general public.
Representative Hull, chairman of the [
use committee on military affairs, in
'duced bill creating a general staff b
rps of the United States army. 1t '
Divides that the STAFF be composed of r
icers detailed from the army at large II
der such rules as the president may g
ascrlbc. The proposed duties Of the p
If are TO prepare plans for the ma s
nal defense and for the mobiliza- u
n of the military forces in time Of ,
r, to investigate and report on all "
estions affecting the efficiency Of the a
ny and its state Of preparedness for
litury operations, to render profess
nal aid TO the secretary of war and
the general officers and other su.
ior commanders and to act as their -
'nts In informing and co-or1inating
ion Of all the different officers in
ryng out their orders fl