The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-15
NO RIVER AND HARBOR
BILL WILL Be PASSED
Pressure for Public Improvements
Is Too Great to Open Flood
gates of Legislation.
PENSION EXAMINATIONS
New Plan Devised for Conducting
Them-Bills introduced by Leg
islators from Indiana.
PENSION EXAMINATIONS
spec,a, 70 the 1nsiananolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Dec. H.-Internal i'm
provement projects which demand imme-
date attention were considered by the COM
mittee on rivers and harbors of the House
at the first meeting to-day. 1t was devel-
oped during the discussion in committee
that so great is the pressure for govern
ment aid to internal improvements in pro-
motion of the rapidly expanding internal
commerce of the United States that If the
door is opened to new projects by the prep
aration of a river and harbor bill at the
present session of Congress new enterprises
involving an outlay of more than 500, 000, 900
would be presented for the consideration of
Congress. For this reason the plans re-
garding the policy Of the committee in re-
'spect to a general river and harbor act
were laid over till the first meeting of the
committee in January. The question con-
fronting the committee is whether it would
be preferable to limit the river and harbor
legislation this session to actual needs of
existing projects and bring in general bill
at the next session or try to get through
an internal Improvement bill at this ses-
sion. This will be determined at the next
meeting of the committee.
Soldiers in Indiana will be interested in a
proposition now under consideration at the
Pension Bureau, which, If put into prac-
tice, will result in a radical change in the
manner of examining applicants for per-
sions. 1t is proposed to abolish the present
boards of examining surgeons and substi-
tute in their place travelling commissions
which shall go from city to city and sit at
stated times for the purpose of examining
such applicants as desire to present them
selves for the purpose. The system now in
vogue is regarded by Commissioner Ware
as defective in many respects He believes
that certain standards which are not posi-
BILE under existing conditions should be
fixed. 1t is pointed out, for example, that
there is no uniformity in the reports of
the boards and that changes in the per-
sonnet of a board frequently result in modi-
fed reports when an applicant is examined
the second time. If the proposed plan were
put into effect the travelling commissions
would work in accordance with fixed rules
and be under the immediate supervision of
the commissioner of pensions.
Senator Beveridge has returned from In
dianapolis. He occupied his seat in the
Senate to-day. The senator will present to-
morrow a petition Of the local Council Of
Women of Indianapolis and a resolution of
the Methodist ministers of the city in oppo-
sition to Reed Smoot, Of Utah. Senator
Beveridge, chairman of the committee
on Territories, has made no plans relative
to the statehood bill. The present indica-
lions are that no consideration will be given
the subject until after the holidays.
Prompt action will be taken by the COM
| mittee on ways and means on the bill intro
duced by Representative Brick and others
prohibiting the Offering of premiums with
tobacco and tobacco products. A hearing
will be held before a subcommittee on
Thursday, at which representatives of the
independent dealers and tobacco firms not
resentative Brick will appear before the
committee to urge favorable report on
the bill. which is aimed at the trust and is
| being vigorously urged by the Independent
operators.
Representative Holiday to-day gave a
luncheon at the Capitol in honor of his
son-in-law and daughter. Mr.. and Mrs.
James G. Bryson. The Indiana House
| members were present. Mrs. e. w. Keith,
| of Indianapolis, was also a guest. Mr..
Holiday introduced the visitors to Pres-
| dent Roosevelt.
A bill was introduced by Representative
| Charles B. Lands providing public build
| ing for Kokomo. The sum of $500 is
| appropriated for the purpose.
| The Senate committee on pensions to-day
reported favorably the bill introduced by
| Senator Fairbanks granting an increase of
| pension to George w. Spahr. a we'll
| known attorney of Indianapolis. The COM
mittee fixed the amount at $50. Mr.. Fair
| banks will make effort in the Senate to
| have the rate increased to $50 The COM
| mittee also recommended favorable re-
port on the bill granting pension to
Royal A. S. Kingsley. of indianapolis. Both
measures will be passed this week.
| XXX
Three or four of the important positions
| in the Postoffice Department made vacant
as result Of the postal investigation, will
| soon be filled by Postmaster General Payne.
| Friends of Wilson of Indianapolis are MAX
| ing an effort to secure his appointment as
| superintendent of the money order system,
| but the chances are that the place will be
| filled by promotion. The names of two
| Indiana men continue to be mentioned In
| connection with the authorship. The res
| ignation of Auditor Castle was handed in
| several weeks ago, but it will not become
| effective until his successor has been
named. A. w. Lawshe, of North Manches-
| ter, who served for some years as deputy
a
| plication of X. l.. Chew. of Nobesvile, is
| on the file for promotion, but Mr.. Chew is
| not pressing the matter. 1t is doubted
that Mr.. Lawshe would accept the auditor
ship of the Postoffice Department, which
pays only $500. while his present position
pays 5000.
The gross postal receipts at the fifty
| largest postoffices in the United States for
last month, compared with November, 1902,
were $5402.5sO. an increase of over per
| cent. The highest increase was % per cent.
| at Los Angeles. The heaviest of the six
| decreases reported was Is per cent. at Jer-
sey City. New York receipts increased
| almost 3 per cent. and Chicago over per
| cent.
Among the postoffices which will be raised
| from fourth class TO the presidential class
| on Jan. 1 are the following:
Indiana-Atlanta, Fremont, Indiana Har-
| Dor, Lima, Montezuma, Shoals, Windfall
Illinois-Arlngton Heights Athens
| Byron. Clay City, Grant Park Louisville
| Mansfield, Potomac, Saint Elmo, Sidell,
| Tamaroa, Tampico, Folono.
| Ohio-College Corner, Crooksville Hub
| bard Jacksonville, Leesburg, Loveland
| Morrow New Straitsville, Pleasant Hill
| West Union.
There are no new developments in the
| office of the controller of the currency rel
/