Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1902-12-19
CONGRESSIONAL DOINGS.
WHAT THE NATIONAL LEGISLATORS
HAVE ACCOMPLISHED THIS WEEK.

Sweeping Trust Bankruptcy Bill-senatol
Dillingham; Opposes Omnibus Statehood Bill
Constitutional Amendment Changing
Dates of Terms of President and Member
of Congress-
The Senate committee on military
affairs last week directed a sub-com
mittee to draw up bill to regulate
the retirement of army officers who
served in both the civil and Spanish
wars. 1t will apply also to officers who
have been retired since Aug. II, 1898.
an additional rank on the retired list
in recognition of their services in two
wars, and put them on an equal foot
ing with officers of the navy, for whom
similar law was enacted. This pro
motion, however, is not to apply to Of
ficers who have already received the
promotion or to those who have been
advanced in grade by special act OF
Congress. Thirty-fve years of active
service is also required, exclusive of
cadet service.
The Senate Thursday passed the bill
appropriating 800, 600 for the expenses
of the anthr icIte strike commission.
1t was amended, fixing the compensa-
ton of commissioners, other than those
in government service, at $1,000 per
year, that of the employees to be fixed
by the commission. The expense al
lowance of commissioners and assistant
recorders was fixed at $40, and that of
employees at Sc per day. The designa-
ton of the commission was changed to
anthracite coal strike arbitration. "
The statehood bill was discussed.
Scores of kilograms have been received
from Oklahoma people opposing the
tribes of Indian Territory have adopted
resolutions against 1t.
In the House Representative Sulzer
of New York introduced a bill requir-
ing publicity of the affairs of large
corporations. 1t provides for the Gre
alton Of bureau in the Interstate
Commerce Commission to be known
as the Bureau of Corporations, with "A
chief appointed by the president. The
duty of this bureau Is to inspect all
engaged in interstate and
foreign commerce, and to supply infor-
nation concerning them All corpor-
ations covered by the bill shall make
annual reports to the bureau, also
statements showing that they have not
been a party to any combination in re-
straInt Of trade or commerce.
Representative De Almond intro
duced a bill providing that it shall he
unlawful to ship from any state or ter
~ u ranch or IA , n a. hlr "A "a
ot territory, any manufactured articles
unless there is stamped on the cover
il the words, mo monopoly
product. Produced in open competi-
ton, " or other words of like import
A maximum penalty of $1,000 fine or
one years imprisonment, or both, Is
Another bill presented was one by
MIR. Pugsley of New York to render
the currency more elastic and reSpon
,ive to the financial and commercial
of the country The
Of the Currency, with the
consent of the secretary Of the treasury,
shall be authorized to issue circulating
notes under certain prescribed condi-
ions of any national bank to the eX-
.ent of one-tenth of the face value of
bonds deposited by the bank with the
reasury, and are to be secured by APP
proved notes, bonds or bills receivable
double III value the amount of issue.
The House Friday passed l73 pension
bills, none Of special interest. The com
nittee on public buildings reported
avorably upon the appropriation of
4, 200, 900 for the purchase of site and
,r ion - ~ 81 tIf,A
for the accommodation of the
court of the United States,
he department of justice, national law
library and international tribunals.
The committee also reported the bill,
which has passed the Senate carrying
2, 800, 900 for the construction of new
department. of agriculture building.
tut cut the limit of cost to 81, 800, 600. (
lr. Mccall of Massachusetts intro
Iuced bill authorizing the president
o enter into reciprocal agreement
18th Great Britain, whereby coal
lined in the United States may be .
hipped into Canada free of duty, and .
'anadian coal admitted into the Unit +
d States free of charge. The house .
voted against the resolution .
D amend the Constitution so as TO give .
congress power to prohibit polygamy.
he legislative appropriation bill was
ported, 1T carries total of $50, $780,
% and provides salaries for 2G6 new
mployees. ltemized, it is as follows
enate, 81, Isl, 1873; House of Represen-
itives, 50, 2l0, 063 Library of Congress,
Ia. 100; executive office, sl35, l40;
ivil service commission, $40, GO: de
artment of state, 1892, lo0 treasury
apartment, 50, SSl, go; internal rev.
que, 81, $50, 200: treasury, $3.50, $40: /,
lnts and assay offices, 81, l29, 800: ter
torial governments, Sl64, 400; war de-
artment, 81, 942, go navy department,
80, O7S; interior department, S5,9lS,
a: surveyors general, sl74,065; post
lice department, 81, 462, $50; depart (
ent OF justice, S253, 500; department (
labor, 1854, go; judicial, s746, $40:
ate, war and navy building, Sl62, $40.
In the House Saturday Mr.. De Ar
ond of Missouri, of the House iudic
ry committee, introduced joint res
ution providing for an amendment to :
e Constitution fixing April 80, 1905,
the date of the expiration of the !
rm of the president of the United ,
jates, and that thereafter April 80 !
all be substituted for March 4 for ,
e beginning and ending of the terms
the president and the vice presi- :
mt. The proposed amendment also
'es Jan. 8 as the beginning of the
rms of members of Congress. This :
made possible by STIMULATING that |
e Fifty ninth Congress- shall expire =
N. s, 1905, and the Sixtieth Con- T
ess begin on the same date The
lendment further provides that no
)ngress shall sit after the date of the q