Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-03-13

tering care of the government. I'll
the United States failed to profit byl
the experience of Europe it would
make serious mistake. Over there
every ship constructed was meant to
be a ship of war in time of need. 1t
was an economic policy to carry with
the expenditure for building up the
navy one for an auxiliary navy and
merchant machine. There was some
thing more in this transportation ques-
ton than merely carrying mail let
ter bags-more in it than dollars and
cents to the United States. He spoke
of the benefit the passage of the bill
would bring as the result of increased
trade with South American countries.
saying that that trade now went by
way of Liverpool and Hamburg in
foreign ships, and thence was trans
shipped to South American ports. By
carrying American goods in American
ships there would be an increase of
American trade. In closing Mr. Hanna
adverted to the question of the cost
of labor. maintaining that wages OF
America averaged so per cent. higher
than those in Europe. that the cost OF
ships built here was higher than there
and that the cost of operating Ameri
can ships was higher than European
| because wages here and on our ships
were higher.
Before consideration of the shipping
bill was resumed. an extended debate
! occurred on the measure providing fol-
the protection of the president of the
| United States. Mr.. Bacon (dem., Ga.
took the ground that i'll its present
shape the bill was an invasion of the
jurisdiction of the states and ough
to be amended radically. While hi
agreed to the general propositions O.
the bill, Mr.. Patterson (dem.. Col,
| urged it ought not to pass in it's pres
ent form. No action was taken.
| The house devoted another day K
the debate on the bill to classify thu
rural free mail delivery service AM
to place carriers under contract.
Washington, March 7.-On account
of the indisposition of Mr.. Vest
/! (dem., Mo- and Mr.. Mallory (dem.
Fla), who were expected to speak or
/ the pending ship subsidy bill, thai
measure was not considered by the
senate. The diplomatic and consular
appropriation bill was passed anC
| then the senate took up the measure
for the protection of the president OF
: hn cd tot N (Ioyo
Ca continued his speech in opposi
/ ton, making an extended constftu
tlOnal argument against it. The
senate agreed to make the bill un
finished business at the conclusion o.
4 the consideration of the ship subsidy
bill. Senator McLaurin (dem., Miss
gave notice of an amendment to the
ship subsidy bill which is intended tt
prevent high officials of the United
States from receiving any benefit
from the enactment of the proposed
law.
The bill to classify the rural free
| delivery service and place carriers
under the contract system held the
floor in the house Speaker Hender
son presented by request to Gne
house a memorial from the house O.
delegates of Porto Rico, setting forth
the depressed condition of the coffee
industry and asking that bounty o.
FIVE cents per pound be paid out OF
! the United States treasury for coffee
raised in Porto Rico and exported
The Newlands irrigation bill was re
ported. The report says that the ter
ritory affected by the bill is nearly
one-half of the area of the United
States and that in sixteen arid land
states there are over 535, 600 00C
acres. Of this vast tract only 10000
900 acres will produce crops without
irrigation, showing the wide extent
of the arid districts. The bill pro
poses no taxation to carry out the ir
| rigation project, the entire expense
to be derived from the sale of public
| lands in the states to be irrigated.