The state herald., 1903-03-13
WASHINGTON NEWS AND
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS

The Senate committee on military af-
fairs made report setting forth its
purpose of not advising the confrma-
ton of some 200 brevet commissions
sent in last year by the President. Sew
eral Coloradoans who served in the
war with Spain were mentioned in
these nominations. The report of the
committee says that brevet commits
sions cannot. according to law be be-
slowed except In time Of war. As war
is not supposed to exist at the present
time the nominations will not be favor
ably reported
During the last session of the expir-
ing Congress Colorado delegates Sc
cured substantial appropriations for
the completion of the Denver mint and
the Colorado Springs postoflice. A
term of the United States Court was
established at Montrose, the co-opera-
tive colony in MOntezuma county got
an extension of its time for entry to
government lands Montrose secured
site for water works and arrange
ments were made whereby tract of
Indian lands where the remains of the
cliff dwellers are located will be soon
turned into n government reservation.
A full score of bills granting pensions
and increases of pensions to Colorado
veterans of the Civil War were passed.
Substantial improvements will be
made at the Grand Junction Indian
School and Leadville fish hatchery
with appropriations which Colorado
senator's and representatives secured.
In the conference of the two houses
on the naval appropriation bill the
Senate surrendered on the principal
item of disagreement, the amendment
relating to the increase of the navy.
The provision as agreed on provides
for three battleships Of 10000 tons dis
placement and two battleships of 49,
600 tons displacement, and entirely
eliminates the provision for cruisers.
The effect Of the agreement is that
the House programme is accepted. ex-
cept that two l3,O00-ton battleships are
substituted for one cruiser. 1t is pro-
vided that the ships authorized may be
built by contract. or at the navy yards.
and shall be built at the navy yards II
II is found that combination of ship
builders exists The provision for an
increase in the personnel of the navy
remains us the bill passed the House,
including an increase In number of
midshipmen, but the increase is to con-
tinue until 1913. instead of 1909. as
fixed by the Senate. Porto Rico is
given midshipman. The age limit
for admission to the academy is fixed
at from l6 to 90 years. The provision
for naval hospital at Washington to
cost Sl25,O00 remains. while that for
an army and navy hospital in New
Mexico is stricken out. The item of
S25c,G00 for coal depots and IN in
crease in the appropriation for dry
docks already authorized 20 out, like
wise the provision for a monument to
Charles V. GIidley.
The report OF the confoioes on the
sundry civil appropriation bill, which
was presented to the Senate. shows
that of the Increase made by the SEN
ate the House conceded 81, AZ. .006 and
the Senate receded from items amount
ing in the aggregate to 81 202 1876. The
principal items of recession were those
making appropriations for the pro-
posed new post Office building In New
York. for the extension of the immi-
grafton station at Ellis island and foi
the payment of the claim OF ex-Queen
Liliuokalani. AS the bill becomes
law II carries n total appropriation of
$50 .212,9 ,955. an increase OF s22. l09, ,595
over the amount carried by last ses-
s!on's act. The appropriation OF $780,
900 for the proposed monetary confer
ence was retained. as was also that of
100000 to pay the expenses of the
Alaskan boundary commission. but the
Senate receded from its amendment
for the revival of the joint high com
mission for the settlement OF differ
ences with Canada, The House pro-
vision for the enlargement OF the cap
itol went out. but the provision for n
building to be used as offices and COM
mittee rooms for the House OF repre-
sen,atives was retained. The Senate
amendment looking TO the construction
OF similar building for the Senate
was disagreed to. The Senate prs
vision for the beginning Of the con-
struction Of the new Department Of
Agriculture building remains In the bill
as does the provision authorizing the
beginning OF the construction OF new
building for the national museum In
Washington To cost when completed
81 SOC. 900. The confereos also left un-
disturbed the provision allowing the
coinage of subsidiary silver. without
regard to the amount outstanding. The
amount appropriated for military posts
was compromised md placed at 81
Zoo 900