Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-03-04
BILL TO BE SIGNED
But the President Does Not Like
the Civil Service ProVis.
ion Therein.
TALKS OF THE CENSUS BUREAU ACT
To Members of Congress-Cities Cam
not Fix Street Car Rates
Today's Proceedings.

| Washington. March 4.-In confer
cnce with members Of congress. Presi-
dent Roosevelt expressed his disap-
proval OF the civil service provision of
the bin creating n permanent census
Lureau. which has passed both houses
ana is now before him. The bill eX-
tends the provisions of the civil serv-
ice law to all the clerks mt present
employed in the census Office. num-
herring about LOO, and the president
takes the position that this action is
an injustice to those who have passed
and who may pass the civil SerVie
examination prescribed 10y law. He is
however. very anxious To have q per-
manent census bureau. and the opin-
ion is expressed by those who have
talked with him that he will sign the
bill and then seek to regulate by exec
utive order the appointments under
the bill as to avoid the Injustice OF
which he complains.
City Councils and Car Fares.
Washington. March I'm 4 decision
rendered in the United States supreme
court yesterday it was held that the
ordinance enacted by the city gov
ernment of Detroit arbitrarily reduc-
ing street car fares to > cents was ir-
regular and without binding effect
This decision was based on the fact
that previous ordinances had been
passed fixing the street car fares at >
cents. These original ordinances were
construed by the court to be in the
nature of contracts. The opinion was
delivered by Justice Peckham and AZ
fIrmed the opinion of the United States
circuit court for the eastern district of
Michigan.
City Council Not Omnipotent.
In passing on the question Of control.
Justice Peckham said: THE rate OF
fare having been fixed by positive
agreement under the expressed legiS-
latiVe authority. the subject is not
open to alteration thereafter by the
common council alone under the right
to prescribe from time to time the
rules and regulations for the running
and operation of the road. Nor does
the language of the ordinance. which
provides that the rate of fare for one
passenger shall not be more than >
cents. give any right TO the city to
reduce IL below the rate Of > cents
established 10y the company. 1t is
contract which gives the company the
right 70 charge n rate of fare mp to
the sum of five cents for single pass
enger. and leaves no power to the city
to reduce it without the consent of
the company
TOdays DOings IN Congress.
Washington. March 1.-THE house
today agreed to Il conference report
on the Philippine tariff bill. 1t now
goes to the president. When the SEN
ate convened today the credentials of
Allison and Dolliver. of Iowa. were
presented to the senate. In response
To an inquiry President Frye an
nounced that it would he necessary
for Dolliver to again take the oath
of office.
Senator Allison escorted his col
league TO the desk. where the oath
was administered. At the conclusion
of routine business Il number of prI-
vate bills were passed. The ship sub
Sidy bill was then taken up.
In the house Littlefield (Maine),
Mccall (Mass.) and Heathwcle.
(Minn.). republicans, voted with the
democrats against the adoption of
the report. The house then resumed
consideration of the bill to classify
the rural free delivery service. Ian
dis Ond) speaking in opposition to
the bill.