The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1902-01-15
II MAS DISTRICT DAY
house Disposed Of District Affairs and
Took Up the Pension Bill.
HIGH TIDE OF PENSIONS REACHED.
Senate Considers BIZ to Create a De
partment OF Commerce = Forecast
of Proceeding: In the House and
Senate During the Week.

Washington. Jan. IS.-Monday was
district of Columbia day in the house
and Immediately after the reading of
the journal. Mr.. Babcock Cwis.) chair
man of the District OF Columbia com
mittee, claimed the day and the house
proceeded TO the consideration of dis
trict business. al the conclusion of
which theNhouse took up the pension
appropriation bill
Mr.. Barney CWis.) in charge of the
bill, explained that IL carried $780,
S46.4s0 as against $145,245,237 appro-
priated for the current year. Esti-
mates for the payment of pensions de
creased from $4,000, 900 to $13S, $780,
600. He was asked by Mr.. Richardson
/ (Tenn.) why the amount for pensions
decreased $500, 600 while the number
of pensioners was said to be larger
Mr.. Barney explained that this was ac-
counted for by the fact that arrear-
ages were decreasing and the number
OF large pensions those from $50 to
i SIS month"; was also decorating. In
reply to another question he stated
that the commissioner of pensions be-
lieved the high tide of pension pay
ments had been reached and the
amount required probably would re-
main stationary for some years.
Mr.. Bell (Colo) made a speech de-
nouncing the pension sharks" He
said many soldiers returning from the
Philippines discharged in a perfectly
sound condition were being induced to
apply for pensions by these attorneys.
| GrnSxyopAr Y
port of the committee of the Grand
Army of last summer which made GER
tain congressman, himself among
them, responsible for the failure to
pass the preference pension bill. He
said the report was unjust. unfair and
untruthful.
Important work of the house of rep
resentatiyes is still in the committee
stage. so that there is little of import
ance to be considered during the COM
ing week. Monday was given TO
bills affecting the District of Column
bia. After that the pension appropria-
ton bill will be passed. Although this
measure carries about S139, 0O0. 900, IL
follows the department estimates and
does not involve any serious issues, so
that after brief explanation its pas
sage usually follows promptly. The
chief interest of the week will center
in hearings on Cuban reciprocity, to
begin at 10 o'clock Wednesday morn
ing before the ways and means COM
mittee. The hearings will continue
for several days, and it is expected
that General Wood and others promi-
nent in Cuban affairs. as well as the
interest opposed to reciprocity, will
present arguments.
call for a caucus of Republican
members of the house to consider a
reduction OF war revenue taxes is be.
Ing circulated. The movement is I'M
derstood to be favored by Representa-
uves Cannon, Hill, Shattuc, Boutelle
and quite number of others and II
the call receives>a sufficient number Of
signatures the caucus will be held
Wednesday night.
In the Senate.
When the senate met Monday Mr..
Mason gave notice that Tuesday he
would address the senate In reference
to the Cuban custom duties, bill and
resolutions relating to which he intro
duced.
A resolution by Mr.. Hale, providing
for the printing of number of copies
OF the report of the Schley court Of
inquiry was referred to the committee
on printing.
On motion OF Mr.. Nelson the senate
took up the bill creating a department
OF commerce with a seat in cabinet.
Mr.. Nelson made an argument In
favor OF the department of commerce.
He said 1t would materially aid in in
ereasing our foreign markets and
would tend to bring workingmen and
employers into closer and more har-
monious relations. He believed all
lines of industry would be advanced
by such department
After some discussion by Messrs.
Tillnan and Hale, the department of
commerce bill went over, both these
senators saying they desired t. have
further time to consi1er it
SerntoP Hoar introduced a resolu-
ton. providing for the appointment OF
a committee of seven senators to ex-
anime into the conduct of the war in
the Philippines. the administration OF
the government there and the cordf-
ton and character of The inhabitants.
the committee &c have power to send
for persons AMI papers, to adr,inlster
oaths and to sit during the sessions
of the senate
The senate committee on interocean-
&c canals held a session Monday and
M. Lampre of the Panama Canal COM
pany was again present Senator Nor
gan questioned him very closely and
at length, going over the examination
OF Saturday. but not bringing out any
new facts of especial importance. The
committee will meet again Tuesday.
The Republican members OF the sem
ate committee on Philippines had q
conference and considered the public
tarin bill. The principal subject I'M
der discussion was proposition 10
make a reduction OF 20 per cent on
goods coming from the Philippines to
the United States. No agreement was
reached and there is a divergence of
opinion as to the proposition. It is ex-
pected an agreement viii be reached
when the entire committee mset.
Thursday.
Indications are that this week will
wr-HN