Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1903-01-09
CONGRESS RECOMMEND.
THE SCARCITY OF COAL THE FIRST SUB
JECT CONSIDERED.

THE SCARCITY OF COAL THE FIRST SUB
JECT CONSIDERED.
Some Relief Measures Suggested to Save In
dustries- Lack Of Quorum in the House
Blocks Business Senator Hoars Antitrust
Bill-General Army staff Corps Bill in the
House
Congress reconvened at Washington
Monday after the holiday recess and
the Senate Immediately began dis
cussion of the coal situation.
Mr.. Lodge prefaced his introduction
of bill suspending for 80 days the
duty on coal with the statement that
in New England there was much dis,
tress owing to the scarcity OF coal, and
that unless relief was afforded num-
Der of factories would have to shut
down. He was aware, he said, that
such bill should originate In the
House of Representatives, but 1T was
his desire to call the attention of the
finance committee to the state OF az
fairs. Two other resolutions bearing
on this subject were also introduced.
One of these recited the charge of W.
R. Hearst that there was an illegal
control the shipment of anthracite coal
and called on the attorney general for
the evidence which it was alleged had
been secured by him. These resolutions
were vigorously opposed, in the lively
debate that followed, by some Repub-
licans who thought them reflection
on the attorney general. They were
finally displaced by the omnibus state
hood bill in opposition to which Mr..
Nelson of Minnesota spoke.
The House resumed work also, but
was obliged to give up in couple OF
hours for lack of quorum. An at
tempt was made to pass the bill Great
ing a general staff in the army. under
suspension of the rules, which requires
a two-thirds majority. Opposition de-
veloped because of the hurried manner
in which it was proposed to pass the
bill, and it did not command the sup
port of two thirds of those present. A
Joint resolution was offered proposing
an amendment to the constitution to
prohibit polygamy and bill to restore
the sale of malt beverages and light
wines to soldiers on army transports
and at post exchanges.
Senator Hoar of Massachusetts, adj
dressed the Senate on trusts Tuesday,
giving a brief review of his bill, just
introduced and sent to the judiciary
committee This bill does not repeal
the Sherman law, but is meant to sup
plement it. 1t prohibits stock water
ing, prevents fraudulent corporations
from doing business and does not per-
nit decentralization. The fullest
publicity consistent with safeguarding
private interests is provided. Not only
the great trusts, but all corporations
are brought under the provisions of the
law. To enable the attorney general
to have the necessary funds for the
employment of assistance in prosecut-
ing offences under this act, $500, 600 is
appropriated Chairman Jenkins OF
the House judiciary committee criti-
cises unfavorably every feature of the
bill
Senator Vest made a notable speech
on his resolution for bill to remove
the duty on coal Feeble in the ex-
treme, and supporting himself on his
desk, he called attention to the condi-
ton Of distress which had arisen as a
result of the shortage in the coal sup
ply. He said the question was no
longer partisan one, but one of hu-
manity, because we are not on the
verge Of crisis but actually in it. He
charged the Republican senators with
being silent and dumb to the state Of
affairs, having only in mind the party
cry, "Stand pat" He characterized
the Dingley tariff act as sacred ele-
plant, with which nothing was to be
done. He sarcastically remarked that
if the whole question was one OF rails
ing money for the next presidential
campaign, that was the end OF the dis
cussion. He was listened to in breath
less silence, but failed to secure action.
The House passed the bill for the
creation of a general staff for the army
by vote of 1913 to so. By the terms of
the bill it becomes the duty of the gen
eral staff to prepare plans for the ma
tional defense and for the mobilization
of the army in time of war, to investi-
gate and report Oh all questions affect
ing the efficiency of the service and to
render professional aid to the secretary
of war and to general officers and other
superior commanders. The chief of
staff, under the direction of the presi
dent, shall have supervision of all
troops of the line and shall perform
such other duties as may be assigned
! him by the president.
The Senate Wednesday discussed the
militia reorganization and statehood
bills and adopted resolution direct
/ ing the committee on the District of
! Columbia to inquire into the wholesale
and retail prices of coal in Washing
ton, and to learn whether the scarcity
of coal results from failure to ship coal
to Washington or lack of prompt and
efficient distribution. Mr.. Vests reso-
luton OF Tuesday was again put over.
The House passed the Senate bill for
the redemption of the silver coin
age of the Hawaiian islands and its
recoinage in the United States coin.
1t provides for the redemption of sill |
yer coins by their being received either |
in Hawaii or the United States in the |
payment of duties. Standard silver |
coins of the United States may be ex
changed for coin of Hawaii at their |
face value. Hawaiian silver coins will |
be legal tender until January l, 1904;
Hawaiian silver certificates shall be
redeemed before January l, 1905, and |
thereafter they cannot lawfully circu-
late as money. Senator Hoar has in
troduced second trust bill, providing |
especially for the expediting of suits
in equity brought under the provisions
of the present anti trust law.
Congressional Notes.
Senator Proctor of Vermont asked |
the president Monday to name one of |
the proposed new battleships the Yer
mont Ha ic nnifa parfain that the |