The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-13
Proposed Measure VIII Relieve the
stringency In the East by Admit
ting Nova Scotia Coal Free.
AN INVESTIGATION ORDERED
COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE TO
PROBE THE COAL QUESTION.
Methods of Operators and Dealers
and Other Matters to he Probed.

WASHINGTON. Jan. 12.-Congress has
been stirred to action by reports of suffer-
ing due to the fuel famine. and will en-
deavor to afford partial relief 1t also will
investigate the causes that have produced
the coal stringency. 1t is expected that
Congress will pass a bill removing the
duty of sixty-seven cents ton on coal i'm
ported into this country. This bill may
take the form of a rebate or drawback for
ninety days, and also will provide for reci-
procity, adding free of duty coal imported
into this country from countries granting
the same privileges to the United States.
This means Canada will permit Nova Scotia
coal to come into the United States free.
while coal from the Alleghenies and west
ward will go into Canada free of duty. The
ways and means committee will meet to-
morrow and according to the present pro-
gramme will report a bill on the above
lines. 1t is expected it will pass the House
tomorrow. Ii will be taken up In the
Senate very soon and the intention is to
have IL pass without much delay. Its con-
sideration I'm the Senate has not been ar
ranged for. but efforts are making to ex-
pedite its passage without amendment and
with little discussion. A number of Repub-
ficans who heretofore have been opposed
TO changing the duty on coal said they
would not oppose the bin provided 1t did not
open the whole tariff question. There has
been some general talk about an agreement
to pass such bill. without opening up the
tariff question and the Republican leaders
expect the House bill will be passed
promptly by the Senate.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
Among the bills before the ways and
means committee affecting the duty on
coal is one introduced early in the session
by Representative Hill. of Connecticut. This
bill is receiving the serious and favorable
consideration o. the committee. IL pro-
vides follows: THAT there shall be al
lowed and paid under such regulations as
the secretary of the treasury shall pre-
scribe on all coal of every kind and form
imported into any port on the Atlantic
coast drawback OF the import duties paid
on the same to and including the 30th day
of June. 1903." this act to take effect i'm
mediately upon It's passage.
Another bill. introduced by Representa-
tive Mccall, of Massachusetts, suspends
the collection of duties on coal for ninety
days. Mr.. Mccall and Senator Lodge had
a talk on the House side late in the day
One member of the ways and means COM
mittee said 1t was immaterial whether a
bill to suspend the collection Of duties, or
one providing a rebate, was adopted, since
B5th have the same effect, and that 1t
would be only matter of method, but he
inclined to the view that a rebate bill would
be preferable. a number of bills have been
introduced in the House and referred TO the
ways and means committee, which provide
for the repeal of all duties upon coal of all
kinds imported into the United States
There Is still another bill providing for a
reciprocal trade relation between the
United states and Canada on coal. 1t is
not stated whether this last bill is to be
considered tomorrow with the rebate and
suspension measures.
ACTION OF THE HOUSE.
The coal question was the chief subject
discussed in both houses to-day. Before
vhe Senate and House met there were
conferences between the leaders OF each
body The House. after adopting a resolution
TO authorize the committee on merchant
marine and fisheries to investigate
the coal situation. adjourned out of re-
spect to the memory of the late Represent
ative Tongue. of Oregon. after appoint
ment OF a committee to attend the funeral.
The resolution 10 investigate the coal sit
uation recites the fact that resolution
has been introduced TO extend the privi-
lese OF carrying coal to coastwise ports to
foreign steamers for ninty days, as the
present scarcity of coal involves great suf-
fering and distress, and authorizes the
committee 10 investigate facts, charges
and necessities" TO Inquire into the ele-
ments and conditions involved in the coal
trade. the cost OF coal. the methods. facili-
ties and cost Of TRANSPORTATION and distri-
button OF the same and the reasons or
causes OF such scarcity and distress. The
committee Is directed 10 report the testi-
mony. with their conclusions thereon TO
the House as soon as possible III Is given
power TO send for persons and papers 10
administer oaths. etc. and incur such ex-
pense as may be deemed necessary The
meetings are 10 be held In Washington and
in such other places as the committee may
determine. The committee Will meet or,
Wednesday.
There was lively debate In the Senate
between Messrs. Aldrich. Vest and Car
mack when the first-named endeavored To
secure postponement OF the Vest resolu-
tion requiring the committee on finance
10 report bill removing the duty on coal
The proposition was not acceptable TO
Mr.. Vest. who expressed the opinion thar
10 allow the resolution Ito go into the nm
certain and nebulous future would mean
defeat. Mr.. Aldrich urged postDonement
in view of the prospective action by the
House. Mr.. Nelson continued his remarks
I'm opposition TO the omnibus Statehood
bill, and large number of private pension
bills were passed by unanimous consent
AT $40 p. IN. the Senate adjourned ON,
OF respect 10 the memory OF the late Rem
resentative Tongue, of Oregon
Senator Stewart, who Is conducting the
coal investigation before the committee ON
the District OF Columbia. to-day intro
duced a resolution providing that the
committee shall be authorized 10 send for
persons and papers. administer oaths and
compel the attendance OF witnesses Ow-
ing 10 the expense involved the resolution
Sad 20 20 20 the committee an conffn cent