The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-01-06
is NOW READY
FOR BUSINESS
CONGRESSMAN CONNELL ON
THE WORK OF CONGRESS.
Will Leave for Washington This
Morning, Pausing at Harrisburg
for Conference-Gratifi at the
Interest Shown in His Golden
Wedding-Will Push His Bills
Now Before Congressional Views
Concernig the New Street Rail-
way Franchises.

Congressman Connell expects to
leave this morning for Washington. He
will pause at Harrisburg for con-
ference with Governor Stone and At
torney General Elkin. Both he and
Mrs. Connell have recovered from the
fatigue incident to the celebration of
their golden wedding. Speaking of
that he said yesterday:
'"rhe interest shown by our many
friends in our fiftieth marriage ami
versary and the many kindly express
sions and tokens of good will from
people in all the walks of life have
touched my wife and myself most
deeply. We appreciate them more than
words can say. / want to take this
public opportunity to return our sin
cerest thanks
What programme have you ar
ranged for congressional work." was
asked of the congressman. He replied:
PROGRAMME OF CONGRESS.
II am naturally most interested in
the bills l introduced. They We're you
remember, bills to punish anarchy
restrict immigration and protect from
murderous attack the president and
vice president of the United States. the
members of his cabinet and justices
of the Supreme court. AS soon as /
return to Washington ] intend to see
the chairmen of the various commit
tees to which these bills We're referred
and do what | can to get them favor
ably reported. 1t is probable that the
best features of the several bills on
each of these subjects which have been
inf VII 1A rl,t
and reported. That will be satisfac-
tory to me.
1.-The session will also have to con-
slider the shipping bill, the purpose of
which-to restore our merchant ma
rine-has my heartiest sympathy; the
isthmian canal bill, involving II choice
between the Nicaragua and Panama
routes the question of granting reci-
procity to Cuba; Il Pacific cable bill
and probably other matters recon-
mended in the presidents message.
Those, with the regular appropriation
bills, will fill out big programme for
one session and doubtless hold us un-
til we'll along into the summer months.
On all of these measures I am with
the administration"
THOSE FRANCHISES.
"Have you anything to say about the
street railway franchises"
Very little that has not already
been said. They are now before coun-
ellis and the people. They promise
good street railway at the earliest
possible moment under as favorable
terms as we see our way clear from a
business standpoint tc offer. If the
people want good service this is their
! chance to get it,"
'It has been suggested, Mr.. Connell,
that the enactment of these franchises
would open q way to the employment
at good wages of many men formerly
in the employ of the Scranton Railway
on that point?"
"Only this; My record as an em-
ployer of labor is before the public.
While | have anything to say about
an enterprise it will pay as good wages
and make MS favorable terms of em-
ployment as the conditions of its bus
mess will warrant, l have never be-
leved in gouging my men, and If these
franchises are passed | shall use my
influence to get for the good men to
be employed on the new lines as good
wages as are paid for similar service
anywhere in the country"
Mr.. Connell will be accompanied to
Washington by his private secretary,
John r.. Williams. Later he will be
joined by Mrs. Connell. They will re-
tain their old apartments at the Shore
ham and the congressman, as before,