Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-06

WASHINGTON. January 5.-When the
Female reconvened to-day, after the holt
fev recess. few senator's were absent.
Almost Immediately discussion began.
regarding the coal situation. Mr.. Lodge
,rsfaced his introduction Of bill sus-
bending for ninety days the duty On
,oaI with the statement that in New
England there was much distress owing
% the scarcity of coal. and that unless
relief was afforded at once a number Of
factories would have TO shut down. He
was aware. he said. that such a bill
should originate in the House of Repre-
sentatfvcs. but it was his desire to cali
the attention Of the Finance Committee
to the state of affairs.
Mr. Culberson followed with a resolu-
ton providing for the removal OF the
duty on anthracite coal. and asked for
it's immediate consideration. Mr. Plat.
of Connecticut. objected, saying ii was
his understanding that there was no
Tnent and said that the Board Of General
duty on anthracite coal.
Mr. Vest took exception to this state
Appraisers and President Roosevelt had
Gecioed that such duty is imposed. Mr.
Vest also introduced a resolution on the
subject
Charges Against Railroads
Another resolution bearing on the sub
iecl of coal by Mr. Jones, of Arkansas.
-efel1ing to the charges Of w. R. Hearst.
hat there was an Illegal combine among
certain railroads to control the shipment
If anlhra cite coal, and calling upon the
Attorney-General for the evidence which
1 was alleged had been secured by him,
caused q lively debate, in which several
Republican senators vigorously resented
what they thought was a reflection on
the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The discussion
continued until : O'Clock. when the re-
solution went over. being displaced by
The omnibus statehood bill.
Mr. Nelson. o. Minnesota. addressed
the Senate in opposition to the bill. and
favored single Statehood for Oklahoma
and Indian Territory. At O'Clock the
Senate adjourned.
no Quorum In House
The House resumed its work to-day,
after q recess of two weeks. The bill TO
create a general staff in the army was
the issue. An attempt was made TO pass
It under suspension of the rules. which
requires a two thirds majority. Although
all the members of the minority OF the
Military Committee endorsed it, OPPOSE
ton deve oped because of the hurried
manner in which is was proposed to pass
the bill. When the dill was called up,
Mr. Richardson. of Tennessee. the minor
ity leader said he did not believe Sucn|
an important measure should be consid-
Grad by unanimous consent, and he OBJ
iectcd In reply to question by Mr.
Bartlett. OF Georgia Mr.. Hull said THAT
the general OF the army at present was
a myth.
Mr.. Hay. of Virginia. a member Of
the Military Committee, in support Of
the bill. detailed the chaotic condition
which existed during the Spanish war.
owing to the conflict of authority. This
condition he said could not exist under
the pending bill.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Ecliminnted.
81 would like to ask" said Mr.. Steele.
81 Indiana. .if this bill does not prac-
icaIIy eliminate the Acknowledgement
rom the army. The acknowledgement is
tot chief of staff under tits bill :
Mr.. Hay: He could be detailed as COM
rander of the army in time OF war. II,
The President should choose to detail
aim.
Mr.. Steele: Can he assign any off,
Ger to the command Of the army now
subject TO this little coterie, this petit
coat army here in Washington?
Mr. Hay: Do you mean the President
Is subject to that?
Mr.. Steele: That is what mean.
The roll-call resulted. JOS to 59-not
quorum A call OF the House developed
the presence of only $50 members-not
quorum, ard at o'clock the House ad-
3onrne6