Rocky Ford enterprise., 1903-02-20
WASHINGTON NEWS AND
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS

Senator Foraker has reported fa-
vorably the bill heretofore introduced
by him for the disposition of the lands
OF Porto Rico. II authorizes the ap-
pointment of commission.
The Senate committee has reported
an amendment providing for the pay
ment OF 5000 to the Italian govern
ment on account of the killing OF two
Italians in a riot at Erwin. Mississippi,
In 1901.
Seator Blackburn has introduced al
amendment to the sundry civil appro-
priation bill making an appropriation
Of 100000. ''in full satisfaction OF all
claims or pretended claims" OF cS-
Queen Liliuokalani.
Senator Foraker has reported favor
ably the bill for the disposition OF the
lalds OF Porto Rico. The bill as re-
ported authorizes the appointment OF
u commission for the determination OF
the question.
A bill has been introduced by SEN
ator Burton witch provides that
henceforth sl2 shall be the minimum
pension allowed. II provides for an
Increase to that amount OF all pen
sions now below thnt figure.
The House committee on military
AFFAIRS has authorized n favorable re-
port on the bill. which has passed the
Senate. providing for the detail OF re-
tired officers OF the army and navy us
instructors at educational institutions.
Governor Taft is drafting a bill to
extend civil service government to the
sections OF the island OF Mindanao.
which are inhabited by Moros. He
purposes to make the military COM
mnnder governor OF the island and
create an assembly representing the
people.
The president has signed the bill ap-
proprinting 81 100000 for constructing
n new building for the department OF
agriculture In Washington city. Plans
for the new structure will be drawn ut
once. The building will be erected on
the plaza directly, In front OF the pres
cnt building.
The house committee on ways and
means fayorabiy reported the bill pro-
vid!nI that all registered brood ami
mails be admitted duty free. whether
they are to be retained ns the property
OF the Importer. or are brought In TO
be sold. The committee report cx-
plains that under u recent decision OF
the board OF general appraisers IL II
held that such animals imported to be
sold are dutinblc. Senator Harris has
introduced bill In the senate author
izins the fee importation Of thorough
bred live stock for breeding purposes.
Third Assistant Postmaster General
Madden has issued n manual OF in
htrgc'ionR for the conduct OF registry
business In tho rural free delivery ser
vice. The most important innovation
provides for the registration of letters
t..N tAf ls. hA Iii
boxes. the carrier leaving the Scnicr's
receipt In the box. Formerly II was
necessary for the sender to meet tho
carrier ON the route. Rural carriers
also arc required To accept for regis
tra'Ion mail matter properly prepared
and offered by any one that meets
them while on duty. whether a patron
Of the rural free delivery service or
not. S,or-kccpcrs ON rural routes GUS
'urnrily receive the mall matter OF
,hcir patrons. delivering IL TO them at
the nrs, opportunity. Registered mail
has no; be-n delivered In this manner
In the past. but Il is now provided tina;
on the written orders which tho ad-
drtusccs are required to leave for the
delivery Of their mail TO the storcac-p-
or. registered mail also will b- dcliv-
cred. except such as IL indora-d by the
scndcrs deliver TO aadEcss.c only
The naval appropriation bill report
cd 10 the House carries sIs.ots.tsc. or
ss.iis.cs3 icss than the estimates. The
current appropriation Ia s.sss.5 .5s5. In
addition to the provision for the con-
{ E;ructiun of three hrst-class battle
| shlrs. one firat-clasA armorcd cruiser.
two steel training ships and one wood
on brig. the bill allows the selection
OF two midshipmcn for each senator.
representative and delegate. thus dou-
bling the number. The committee says
that with the present deficiency of 571
officers. and with the number of OH
GERS that will be required for the shirs
In process OF construction. the def
cheney in the number of officers at tho
end of four years will be $50. unless
additional midshipmen are authorized.
Further provision is made for the APP
pointmcnt of twelve cnsigns from war
rant officers and for the appointment
Of thirty additional lieutenant COM
mandcrs. fifty additional licutcnants.
thirty additional surgeons. twenty nine
naval constructors, cish;y-four addi-
uonal officers for the pay corps and
J.oCo enlisted men. The limit of cost
for the building of the naval academy
is TO he increased from ss.0o0.00O to
si0.OO0.op1. The stun OF 100000 IL APP
rfupriatsd for experiment station and
testing laboratory in the department of
marine engineering and naval division.
Senator Aldrich has introduced n bill
authorizing banks which arc national
repositories TO deposit for the safe
/ guarding OF the government other Sc
curities than government bonds. The
Intention of the bill is TO give greater
elasticity to the currency and permit
Of the release of larger volumes of the
/ government funds in times of strin-
/ eency. In addition to government,
bonds the bill provides for the deposit
Of state bonds. municipal bonds OF cit
lea of 100000 population. which have
been in existence for twenty-five
/ years. and which have not defauiIcd
/ on any of their debts. and the first
mortgage bonds of any railroad COM
pany which nave paid dividends of not
less than four per cent fer ton years.
| The secretary of the treasury is given
/ authority to determine the proportion
/ OF the various securities that lie will