The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-18
Fifteen Changes Adopted By the
House After an Attempt 20 Repeal
the Act Hind Been Defeated.
DEBATE ON THE CANAL BILL
SPEECHES BY SENATOR'S PERKINS,
GALLINGEE. STEWART, MORGAN.
Two Last Named of Opinion that
Health Conditions I'm Nicaragua
Are Better than I'm Colombia.

WASHINGTON. June 1.-THE House
spent the day considering bills reported
from the judiciary committee. BY far the
most important measure was that TO amend
the existing bankruptcy law. The minor
ity made a vigorous effort to repeal the
present law in toto but was overwhelm-
ingly defeated-65 10 157. The bill passed
amends the law in fifteen particulars 10
meet defects which. it is said, experience
has proven. The most important amend
ment is one TO define preference, 10 meet
the Supreme Court decision in the case
Of Pirie VS.. the Chicago Title and Trust
Company. Four additional grounds for re-
fusing a discharge in bankruptcy also are
added: First, obtaining property on credit
on materially false statements; second,
making a fraudulent transfer of property:
third, having been granted or denied a
discharge in bankruptcy within six years.
and fourth. having refused 10 obey the
order Of the court or refusal 10 answer
material questions approved by the court.
During the debate Mr. Ray. I'm charge
communications from manufacturing and
producing interests. merchants. credit men
and other business associations. lawyers,
judges and business men generally ap-
proved the existing bankruptcy law. ask
ing its retention and approving the amend
ments suggested by the bill, have been be-
fore the judiciary committee The amend
ments proposed, he said, were not numer-
Gus, but were such as experience demon
strated TO be essential for the more efficient
execution of the law and the protection
OF all interests.
Mr. Ray said that 90 per cent OF the re-
plies to inquiries he had sent broadcast over
the country favored the retention of the
present law, Z per cent. desired IL repealed
or amended in accordance with the pro-
visions Of the pending bill. and per cent.
desired il amended. He explained fifteen
amendments proposed to the law, the most
important of which, he said, remedied
defect IN the present Jaw regarding prefer
ence. Under the Supreme Courts decision
/ in the case of Prize VS.. Chicago Title and
Trust Company the court held that pay
ment made In good faith after the actual
| insolvency. though in due course Of trade.
/ without intention of making preference.
must b. surrendered if the creditor who
! received such payment could prove the
/ balance of his debt This never was in
! tended by the trainers Of the Constitution.
Mr. Raw said il was the cause of 80 per
cent Of the objections TO the law.
! Besides amending the bankruptcy act.
| the House agreed to the conference asked
! for by the Senate on the anti-anarchy bill.
/ and Messrs. Ray Of New York Overstreet
/ IF Indiana and Lanham OF texas were ap-
! pointed conferees.
The Senate bill to allow appeals TO the
/ Supreme Court from the Spanish Claims
! Commission where adverse 10 the United
! States and by the plaintiff where the claim
! is in excess of $1,000 was passed with an
/ amendment.
/ BillS also were DdSStu pIONluhik Aof the
/ punishment of United States prisoners for
| crimes committed while confined In state
institutions, 10 increase the fees of jurors
! in United States courts from 81 TO s. per
day, TO allow appeals from final rulings Of
the General Land Office TO the Supreme
| Court of the District of Columbia, TO in
! corporate the Society of the Army Of San
| tiago de Cuba, for the appointment Of five
| additional United states commissioners
and five additional constables in the Indian
! Territory.
Mr.. Ray called up a bill for the suppress
! sion of train robberies. Mr.. Smith, OF
! Kentucky, said the bill was too important
| TO be passed hurriedly. Mr.. Ray replied
that the purpose of the measure was 10
secure the cooperation Of the United
/ States II the prosecution Of persons ac-
| cused Of derailing or robbing trains
| At O'Clock, without action on the bill,
the House took recess until o'clock.
The night session was devoted 70 coasid-
| GRAFTON OF bills reported from the commit
tee on Indian affairs. Bills 10 ratify and
confirm the agreements negotiated by the
| Dawes commission with the Creek. Kansas
| and Kaw Indians OF Oklahoma were passed
| and the bill 10 ratify the agreement with
the Choctaw and Chickasaw Indians was
| under consideration when the House ad-
| iourned at 1920 The Senate bill TO provide
| for the sale Of sites for manufacturing or
/ industrial plants I'm the Indian Territory
| and a House bill for the relief OF the heirs
| of Mary Clark and Frances or Jenny Clark,
| deceased also were passed. House bill
/ 10 provide for the opening 10 settlement
| Of 4S0 900 acres of land in the kiowa, CO.
! manche and Apache Indian reservations in
| Oklahoma was defeated.