Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-12
SENATE FIXES BOARDS PAY
Decides that -Four Thousand is Enough fer
Coal Strike Arbitrators.
STATEHOOD BILL GOES OVER TO MONDAY
RumOrs Have IL that Plans Are Laid
to XIII Measure by ArtfuI OBJ
struction, Thus Allowing
Time TO Turn Votes.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-THE senate late
this afternoon passed. with several amend
ments, the bill fixing the compensation of
the anthracite coal strike commission, and
Il now goes to conference. The sentiment
OF the senate was strongly In favor of al
lowing members Of the commission who are
not in the civil or military service a lump
sum for their service. and after consldera-
BILE debate $4,000 was settled upon as the
proper amount, thus taking the matter out
Of the hands of the president.
Several other amendments were adopted
nxing the expenses Of commissioners and
the assistant recorders at $40 per day in
stead OF SIS. and leaving the question Of
salary for the assistant recorders and en-
ployes to the commission. The name Of
the commission was changed to anthracite
coal strike arbitration"
An amendment offered by Mr.. Daniel
Cva.) to prohibit officers Of the government
from serving on commissions or performing
duties other than called for by law pro-
voked a lengthy discussion, but was finally
withdrawn.
VIII XIII Bill by Delay.
At 2 o'clock the statehood bill came up
and there was a brisk exchange between
Mr.. Quay (Pa.), who favors the omnibus
bill, and senators who oppose It. Mr.. Quay
and Mr.. Bate (Tenn.) said they were ready
to vote. Mr.. Beveridge (Ind.). Mr.. Lodge
(Mass), Mr.. Hale (Me.) and others pro-
tested against pressing the bill so soon
after It was reported and 1t went over un-
I'll Monday.
The air was full Of rumors concerning
the statehood bill. which, 1t was said, was
to be defeated, not by votes, but by OBJ
structiOn; the vote being postponed from
day to day until one by one all the votes
for the omnibus bill were picked of.
Mr.. Quay wanted 1t understood that the
bill would retain its place as the unfinished
business, and President Frye said: 1.-THE
bill remains the unfinished business II 1t is
in the power OF the chair to keep It there,
and the chair thinks 1t is"
The senate then resumed consideration
of the coal strike commission bill. Pays.
Mr.. Daniel (va.) precipitated a lively de-
bate by offering an amendment prohibiting
the further assignment Of officers and en-
ployes of the United States or senators
and representatives on any commission.
He did not ~criticise the president; on the
contrary, he commended him, but he ar
gued that there is an abundance of intel
lect, learning and wisdom among the peo-
pie Of the country outside of the govern
ment service which could be drawn upon.
Mr.. Platt Comm expressed the opinion
that 1t would be unwise to tie the hands
of the president so that in a great emer-
gency he could not select the one man
deemed most fit for appointment and in
quired of Mr.. TiIlman Is. c., who ia
vored the Daniel amendment, II it were
not probable. II the amendment was
adopted, that Judge Gray would withdraw
from the commission.
Surely" was Mr.. Tillman's response.
Mr.. spooner (Wis.) said 1t was not a
new thing for Judges to be arbitrators, nor
is IL considered injudicial.
Mr.. Allison and Mr.. Hoar appealed to
Mr.. Daniel to withdraw his amendment
with the view Of offering it at some other
time when It could have better attention.
Mr.. Daniel finally consented and the bill
passed.
At s o'clock the senate held a brief ex-
ecutive session and adjourned.