The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-16
THREE TOPICS
 TALKED ABOUT Wrang|s in House Over Rural Free Delivery Routes PANAMA TACTICS DEFENDED MT. crumpacker Objects to Criticism of the Governments Policy, and Mir. Gardner Talks on Reciproo-
 ity With Canada.
PANAMA TACTICS DEFENDED

Washington, December 15.-Rural flee l delivery, reciprocity with Canada, and the new republic of Panama were topics of discussion in the house today. Tho subject of rural free delivery was intro- duced by Mir. Maddox. democrat of Geor- gia who claimed that certain states had been favored In the establishment of routes. This allegation resulted in lively discussion. MT. Hepburn, republi- can, of Iowa, and MT. Hemenway, repub. hcan, of Indiana, among other, replied on the republican side.
 The house today on converting went in- to committee of the whole for further consideration of the pension appropriation bill. MT Crumpacker, the first speaker, | addressed himself to the Panama ques- tion, saying that the attacks on the con- duct of this government in connection with the new republic were unwarranted l by the facts. He said that while there was no purpose on the part of individual members of the minority to roment trou- ble. yet the attitude of the party would give encouragement to Colombia.
 Crumpacker is Sarcastic.
 Mir Crumpacker in a coliauy with Mr. Williams, the minority leader, asked if it was not time that the democrats were willing to accept the stolen goods if per- | mitted to condem the act of taking
 Mir Williams replied that when they could recognize the character of the child they could treat 1t properly. l MT Maddox, democrat, of Georgia, re- plying to MT. Crumpacker. said the latter had arraigned the party for statements made by a few members of the minority. l He then spoke on the rural free delivery. He produced figures and declared that ot the 15,0O0 GOO routes established last June. more than one-third of them were located l in four states-Iowa Indiana. Ohio and l Ilinols-and that the first two named states have more routes than twelve 1 southern states. which he named 1 Mir Maddox said when his constituents asked him why he could not secure more routes the only reply he could make was 1 that he could not get up to the 'pie coun- ter" He said he could show more routes established in seven counties of one dis trict than were to be found In a whole state.
 Colloquies Ensue. MT. Hemenway replied to MT. Maddox. whereupon colloquies with MT. Clayton. democrat, AlaDdmd, ana Wltn NIT. ftDDiH- son. democrat IndianaJ ensued. relating to the number of routes in different 1 states
 l MT. Hepburn, republican. Iowa, ex- 1 plained as to the routes in Iowa. He charged the democrats with having op- posed the rural free delivery measure. MT. Maddox replied that 1t was a dem- ocrat who introduced the first bill.
 Mir Gardner. republican. Massachusetts. | replied to the remarks of MT Lind, demo- l crat. Minnesota. relative to free trade relations with Canada He said the cot ton interests of this country would suffer If thrown into competition with labor in Quebec. which he declared to be under paid and where he said the standard of living was lower than in the cotton manufacturing districts in this country.
 Defend Fishing Interests.
 MT Gardner spoke of the fishing inter- | ests and how they would be affected, and said the question of reciprocity should 1 be approached seriously and studied with care. He said he was not willing that l the fishing and cotton interests of his district should be sacrificed, that the people of Winnipeg might enjoy the | strawberries of Minnesota. l MT. Raymond democrat, Indiana, said the Panama canal Is now an assured | fact. He had criticism to make re- garding the recognition of the new re- public, but expressed the hope that free government would be given the Filipinos who he said. yielded unwillingly to American authority. He saw no objec- ton to the policing of isthmian waters and the prevention of the landing of Co., l lomblan troops. In addition to construc- l ton of the Panama canal, he contended | for the construction of a deep waterway 1 from the great lakes to the gulf of Mexico.
 A O.AE
 To Refund Cotton Taxes. Washington, December 15.-Representa- tive Williams of Mississippi introduced a bill providing for the refundlng of cer- tain states of cotton taxes paid in 1866 and 1867 and appropriating s65, ,000,O00 for that purpose.
 To Promote on Merit. Washington, December 15.-Representa- tive DeArmond of Missouri today intro- duced bill providing for the ranking anu promotion of officers of the United States army on merit.
 Williams Bill.
 Washington, December 15.-Representa- tive Williams of Mississippi introduced the following bills today To put upon the free list when coming from countries which permit identical products of ours to enter free. hides Of all animals lumber of all sorts boots, shoes, saddles and harness.
 To prevent individuals or corporations engaged in interstate commerce from making it d condition of the sale of their products that the purchaser shall not sel. products of any other person. firm or corporation.
 To prevent the over-issue of stock by COT porations or combinations of eorpnr- atcns, and defining such over issue as public cheating.
 Requiring the payment ef interest on public funds deposited with banks.
 To Tax Incomes.
 Washington. December l5--Mr Will jams Of Mississippi introduced concur rent resolution in the house today pro-