The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-01-27
DEPT OF COMMERCE
Summary of the Objections to Sen
ator Nelson's Bill.
EARLY PASSAGE SEEMS CERTAIN
Allowing Amendments to
the Measure.
.r,a, Bureau. Room, IS. Post Nav, =

From, The Jour,sa. bureau. Room IS. Post
Washington, Jan. 27.-One of the rea-
sons why SO much debate has been in
dulged in over the Nelson bill creating
department of commerce is the fact that
the bill as originally drawn by Senator
Nelson made a department which would
have been much larger than any of those
now in existence. 1t seems to be the
sense of the leading men in the senate
that the new department in it's beginnings
should not be so large as Senator Nelson
proposed, and the Minnesota gentleman
has admitted the force Of these arguments
by offering to amend his bill by striking
out certain sections which have been OBJ
jected to. So far as can be discovered
there is no opposition to establishing the
new department.. The only question is as
to how large it shall be. One senator
objected to transferring the coast and
geodetic survey to it; another to. trans
ferring the census bureau; another to
transferring the patent office; and so the
debate proceeded. -.-... )
Still Il Good Deal Left.
But if all Of the bureaus to which OBJ
lection has been made are removed from
the bill, the new secretary of commerce
will still have a department measuring
fully up to that of the average cabinet
officer in size and Importance. When the
it was very small affair, and it has
reached it's present splendid proportions
as the result of experience and the natural
development Of the country's agricultural
| resources. In the same way it has been
the opinion of certain influential senator's
that the new department of commerce.
which they all favor-should begin in
modest way, and not, as Mr.. Nelson orig
inally proposed, spring into existence with
a rank and dignity whichTthe present exc
cutive departments have been many years
| in attaining.
The foregoing summarizes all the OPP
position there is to the Nelson bill. That
! the bill will pass the senate at an early
| day is nowhere denied. All the senators
favor it. The only question is one of get
| ting it into such shape as will meet the
objections that have been urged and
Senator Nelson has shown great tact in
conserving to amendments embodying
| these objections. His management of the
bill has added appreciably to his prestige
| in the senate.
Federal Building for Superior.
The senate committee on public build
ings and grounds has favorably reported
the bill providing for a federal building at
Superior, Wis. A similar bill was IA
vorably reported during the fifty sixth
| congress, but failed of passage because
there was no appropriation in that con-
gress for public buildings. Such an ap-
| preparation will probably be made now,
and it is likely that Superior will be in
Guided in it. 1t is the policy of the gov
eminent to erect public buildings in all
cities where fedral courts sit, but even if
| this were not true Superior is large and
| important enough for such an appripria-
| ton as that proposed. 1t is the second
| city in Wisconsin, and has a population
not far from 10000. In Minnesota there
are public buildings in Winona, Mankato,
| Fergus Falls and st. Cloud, each smaller
| than Superior 1t looks as if the Min
! nesota congressman have had a heavier
| drag in congress than the congressman
| from Wisconsin.
More influential.
| The recent session Of the national board
, Of trade has had one good result. Here
after there is to be stationed in Wash
! ington during each session Of congress an
officer Of the association who will look
after legislation favored by the boards OF
| trade of the country, and see that 1t is
properly explained In committee. During
each congressional recess this officer will
travel over the country looking after the
membership and in other ways seeking to
strengthen the organization. This result
| marks the advent of the boards of trade
| of the country as factors in practical
| legislation, and means that their functions
+. are now to be extended beyond the
formal and perfunctory stage of where
ases' and an occasional "be it resolved
| Congressman Lacy of Iowa has again
| introduced his bill of the last congress
providing for cliff dwellers national
park in New Mexico. Mr.. Lacey wants
| the land included in the proposed park
to be owned by the government, in order
that the cliff jewellers caves may for
ever be preserved.
| Congress Is about to pass a bill provid-
! ing medals of honor for each surviving
officer and member Of the crews Of the
Cumberland, Congress and Minnesota.
! These are the vessels which took part
In the engagement with the confederate
ram Merrimac in Hampton Roads, in
March, 1862. The bill has been reported
favorably from the senate committee on
| naval affairs and has the Endorsement
of the secretary of the navy.
| W. W. Jermane. "