Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-01
Many Favor Amendment to Sherman Law
by Means Of Appropriation.
STRIKE COMMISSION WILL Be PAID
Judge Gray Asks vote of Fifty Thou
sand Dollars to Cover Expenses of
ArbItratinE Anthracite
Coal Dispute.

NibNubbioht ihutNht Aht itduSio ihShhN ~
the belief that beyond appropriation bills
and routine legislation, Il is the only mat
ter on which there is a chance Of action.
AS yet the leaders have formulated no
measure and there exists a pretty wide di-
vergence of opinion as to what can or
should be done, consequently the presidents
recommendations are awaited with more
than usual interest.
Leaders Are Canny.
The most conservative opinion among the
republican leaders seems to favor an ap-
propriation for the reformation of the sher-
man antitrust act. Such an amendment, 1t
is thought, could be placed in one Of the
regular appropriation bills and put through
both houses without dificulty, whereas any
amendment to the law itself, no matter how
conservative, would meet opposition. Mr..
Hepburn of Iowa, chair man of the Interstate
and foreign commerce committee, is one of
those who believes that the Sherman law, II
enforced, is sufficient to meet the situation,
and tomorrow he will introduce bill ap-
propriating $4,000 TO be used by the De-
partment OF Justice in the prosecutions un-
der the present law.
II is not improbable when the leaders
ascertain exactly what can be done that a
caucus OF republicans will be called to
agree on a measure. Meantime the trust
bills introduced will probably be referred to
the judiciary committee.
There is some question OF jurisdiction. II
a bill invokes the interstate commerce
clause OF the constitution 1t should prop
erly 20 to the commerce committee, and II
the taxing power of the government. to the
ways and means committee; but to secure
uniformity all bills dealing with the subject
have gone heretofore to the judiciary COM
mittee and this practice will be followed
unless a tight for Jurisdiction is made.
The leaders have already reasolved to
expedite 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 appropriation committee
indeed believes the legislative, executive
and judicial and the pension bills can be
disposed OF before the holidays His COM
mittee will go to work at once and prepare
the supply bills as rapidly as possible. The
legislative and pension bills will probably
be read before the end Of the week.
Find Money for ArbitrRtOrs.
One Of the nrst things the committee will
do is to prepare a bill to provide for the
coal strike commission. Judge Gray hat
written asking lot an appropriation Vi SoV''
900 to defray the expenses OF the commits
sion, to pay it's clerical force and to furn'
ish such compensation for it's members as
the president may fix. The appropriation
committee will meet tomorrow to prepare {
bill, which It is believed will be presented
and passed this week, as no opposition II
anticipated.
The session OF the house tomorrow viii
be brief. The roll will be called and an
nouncement made Of the deaths that hav'
occurred during the recess. The house Will
then adjourn until Tuesday, when the pres
ident's message will be read There is M
program for the remainder of the week be
yond the bill to defray the expenses Of thu
coal strike commission. II the regular or
der is demanded the London dock charg,
bill is the unfinished business.