The Delta independent., 1903-01-16
WASHINGTON NEWS AND
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS

said that he was so well pleased with.
| the new library and the use made OF
| his gift of $3.50, 900, and the provision
| for the support of the library that he
would give another s350.000 for the
erection of branch libraries on the
same condition as the original gift,
namely, that the city provide the sites
and arrange for the support of the Ii
| braries.
| When the Senate reconvened after
| the holiday recess few senator's were
absent. Almost Immediately discus
sion began regarding the coal situation.
+, Mr.. Lodge announced his introduction
of a bill suspending for ninety days the
duty on coal, with the statement that
| in New England there was much dis
| tress, owing to the scarcity of coal,
and that unless relief was afforded at
once a number of factories would have
to shut down.
The House committee on military af-
fairs has completed the army appro-
priatIon bill, which carries ST2, ,53s 1897.
| about IS, 900 900 less than the estimate.
| The appropriation last year was s9l,-
| 246.636. Provision is made for the,
mastering out of the Porto Rican pro-
| yisional regiment July LIST next, the
soldiers to receive two months extra
nav. also tnAl solultls
expert rifiemen shall receive 81 extra
per month. also to authorize the secre-
tary of war to accept 10000 from the
| Daughters of the Revolution for the
erection Of q memorial building for the
physical welfare of the enlisted men
at such military posts as the secretary
OF war may direct.
The House passed the bill for the
creation of general stan for the
army by vote OF 1853 to So. BY the
terms OF the bill IL becomes the duty
of the general stan to prepare plans
| for the national defense and for the
mobilization of the army in time OF
war, to investigate and report on all
questions affecting the efficiency OF the
service and to render professional aid
to the secretary of war and TO general
officers and other superior command
ers. The general stan corps is to con-
sist OF one chief Of stan and two gen
eral officers. all TO be detailed by the
President from officers OF the army at
large not below the grade of brigsdier
generals. four colonels. six lieutenant
| colonels and twelve majors. twenty
captains to be detailed from officers OF
the grade of captain or first lieutenant.
who. while 80 serving. shall have the
rank. pay and allowances of captains
mounted All officers In the general
stan shall be detailed therein for per-
iods OF four years.
Secretary Root has addressed letters
to L. IL. Hartman, representing the
shipping interests of San Francisco.
and to Alfred Winsor. representing the
shipping interests OF Seattle and Ia
coma. aud also to Clement A. Griscom
OF the International company. notify
ing them OF the conditions under
which he proposes TO open the army
transport service on the Pacific TO COM
petition. He says he would be glad
to receive any suggestions which their
practical experience with the steam
ship business may enable them to
make, or which from their point OF
view may seem 10 make the scheme
more practicable and fair to such ship
ping Interests as may make proposals
for tho transaction OF the business.
The schemes of the War Department
arc embodied In bill prepared for the
action OF Congress authorizing the sec
retary OF war. in his discretion. to let
the army transports. by charter or
otherwise. to the highest bidder In
open competition. for terms OF three
years. unless the vessels are required
sooner for military purposes.
President Roosevelt had confer
encc few days since with Speaker
Henderson and Representative Gros-
venor OF Ohio. with regard to proper
antitrust legislation. The conference
lasted for n considerable time. the sit
uation in the House being discussed
thoroughly. II is understood that the
President impressed upon his callers
who went to the executive ofilccs Mt
his request. his desire that some lcgis-
lation dealing with the trust question
should be enacted Mt the present ses-
sion OF Congress- Senator Hoar on the
ith instant. introduced n second trust
bill. 1t provides especially for the cN-
pcditing Of suits In equity brought un-
der the provisions Of the present anti
trust law. II authorizes the attorney
general of the United States to file n
certificate In any such case pending In
any Circuit Court OF the United Statos
to the effect that the case Is OF gen
oral public Importance. A copy OF the
papers in the case IN then to be given
to each OF the circuit judges of the
court. and II Is thereupon to be given
precedence OF any other cnse aud to bo
assigned for hearing at the earliest
practicable moment Representative
Littleaeld introduced the same bill In
tho House.
Three members Of the House public
lands committee. Shnfroth. Brundidgc
and Jones. have filed a strong minority
report protesting against the passage
OF the checker board land bill. recent.
ly reported favorably to the House.
They allege that the bill proposes tho
exchange wholly In the interest OF
specified settlers and that II IL class
legislation that will not benefit the
government or the public. Under It's
provisions millions OF dollars would9'
have to be expended In making ex->
changes, with no return to tho gov.
ernment. They nssort that despite It's
careful wording, II would result In
showing on on the government worth.
less lands in exchange for those of
considerable value. and fraud under
40 lat a l.