Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-12
The Coal Question Occupies
Attention Of Congress.
A REBATE ON TARIFF
WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEES
WILL TAKE ACTION.
Senator Stewart Wants Greater Au-
thority in Investigating the
Local Situation.

the subject OF coal occupied congress TO-
day. In the House OF Representatives the
committee on rules brought in an order for
the committee on merchant marine the.
chairman Of which is Mr.. Grosvenor of
Ohio. to investigate the cost of producing
coal. the cost OF transportation, and all ele-
ments entering into the coal industry which
might affect the cost as laid down to the
consumer In the Senate Mr. Vests reso-
luton came up and was debated upon for
an hour Mr. AIdrich suggested that the
resolution be not acted upon. as he believed
action would be taken elsewhere to relieve
the difficulty complained Of He did not in
dictate what this action was, and there was
some speculation to the meaning of his
words until 1t was generally known that
the House had placed itself in position to
secure fun investigation of the subject.
This gives the Initiative, so far as the
legislation that may result is concerned, to
the republican party In the House of Rep
resentatives. 1t also upholds the conten-
ton Of the republicans In the Senate that
legislation affecting the revenue of the
country should originate In the House.
At O'Clock this afternoon, when the dis
cussion in the Senate come to a conclusion,
the committee on the --.strict of Columbia
nesses as to the coal situation in the Dis
trict of Columbia.
Seeking More Powers
Senator Stewart In the Senate offered a
resolution, for which he asked immediate
consideration, authorizing the District COM
mittee to employ stenographer, and giving
it power to send for persons and papers
and administer oaths.
Senator Cockrell at once suggested tnat
this resolution be amended to compel the
attendance of witnesses.
This amendment was promptly accepted,
and Senator Frye, who was presiding. Sug-
gested that the resolution should go to the
committee on contingent expenses of the
Senate Mr.. Stewart was unwilling at first
to allow this course to be taken. but under
the rules 1t seemed impossible to do other
wise. and the resolution was sent to that
committee.
1t was then Senator Aldrich asked to
have the Vest resolution go over, as it was
to be taken up elsewhere.
MI. Vest Speaks at Length.
Senator Vest then arose and spoke for
some time. He opposed this suggestion of
the senator from Rhode Island. He said
he had no assurance that anything would
be done in any other place, and the crcum-
stances were very strong against such ac-
ton being taken. He said that the recon-
mendation Of the President of the United
States to put coal on the free list had been
before Congress since December 2, and no
action had been taken by the dominant
party. He had no suspicion Of any action
being taken anywhere.
And now" said Mr.. Vest, Ito allow this
question to so into the uncertain and nebu-
lous future would be equivalent to it's de-
feat" t'Fs
Mr.. Vest. after some further remarks,
sent to the clerks desk clippings from
Rhode Island papers stating the action of
the Rhode Island legislature and Of the
Ilv.Nx-i Ia.,r Oh,
to their delegations in Congress to put coal
on the free list.
In view of this difference of opinion oe-
tween the legislature of Rhode Island and
the senator from Rhode Island he was anx-
ious to see what effect the action of TIE
legislature would have on the senator. Mr..
Vest also referred to the controversy that
has arisen over the statements that MI.
Dingley had told people that the rates in
the tariff bill of 1897 were made higher be
cause then they could be reduced by other
arrangements in the future.
Mr.. Dingley's Alleged Views.
He said that he had received a letter from
Representative VIM. H. Fleming of Au-
gusta, Ga, who said that ne had been told
by Representative King of Utah shortly
after the passage of the Dignley bill that
the rates would be lowered. Mr.. King had
written letter detailing the circumstances
OF this statement to him by Mr.. Diugiry
aud that letter was read Mr.. Dingley,
cording to Mr.. Kings letter, told him &.
lower tariff rates would be necessary in
order to extend the foreign trade of the
United States and said something about
putting some articles on the free list. MI.
Dingley told Mr.. King, according [, the
latters letter. that there would be strong
demand for placing raw material on the
free list. He was not sure that he indie ted
coal. wool and hides.
Representative King has died since that
letter was written.
Mr.. Carmack Speaks.
Up to that point in the debate on coal in
the Senate Senator Vest had stated that he
wished to keep all partisan matters out of
the discussion and other senators had not
brought them in, but at this point in the
debate Senator Carmack of Tennessee
talked at some length In relation to the
tariff and to show that the duty on coal
was a republican principle and one that
had been put in the law by the republican
party. Mr.. Carmack said that the repub-
licans had prescribed reciprocity as the
means of adding to the value of protection
Mr. carmack talked until almost 2
O'Clock, the balance of the time during the
morning hour being used by Mr. Aldrich
who defended Mr.. Dingley against the
charge that he had placed the duties of the
tarin bill that bears his name too high in
order that they might be lowered by reel
procity treaties.
AT = % CHUCK MT est y resolution went
over until tomorrow without action being
taken.
When the Senate met today House bill
was passed. on motion OF Mr.. Platt On YD
crediting John A. Mason, collector Of in
ternal revenue at New York city, with
SiD.249. the value of revenue stamps de-
stroyed by fire.
Mr.. Mitchell (Ore) submitted the report
OF the subcommittee OF the Senate on its
investigation of affairs in the Hawaiian
Islands. a synopsis of which appears in an
other column.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
When the House of Ranrese Mt n ti,.oS mat