The Press., 1903-01-08
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, January 5, 1903.

| tiOns ever witnessed In Washington took
place on New Years day. Bright sum
shine and a temperature almost balmy
added to the comfort of the guests, and
the remodelled interior of the white house
contributed to the interest of the occasion.
Following the usual custom, the prest-
dent assisted by Mrs. Roosevelt, the
members of the cabinet and their fami-9
lies, received the justices Of the supreme
court, the members Of the diplomatic
corps In their elaborate uniforms, the off
| GERS of the army, navy and marine corps,
| all In full dress uniform, and several
thousand civilians, and the whole scene
presented picture kaleidoscope in color.
and animated in the extreme. In the
| front corridor the Marine band rendered
an elaborate program while diplomats,
officers, senators and civilians stood
| about chatting and admiring the new and
beautiful decorations.
Following the reception at the white
house, Secretary Hay entertained the en-
tire diplomatic corps at breakfast. With
| the exception of Mrs. Hay, Mrs. Root
and Mrs. Hitchcock, who are In mourn
ing, the ladies of the cabinet received
| their friends at various hours throughout
the afternoon and evening The secreta-
ry of the navy received with Mrs. Dewey,
the Admiral being absent with the fleet.
Many changes have taken place in the
diplomatic corps during the past year,
but the absence most commented upon
was that of Julian, Lord Pauncefote, the
late British Ambassador, who died last
spring. He was general favorite and
his absence was noted with many regrets.
Herr Won Holleben, the German ambas-
sador, who is not particularly popular, is
now dean of the corps and was the first
of the foreigners to greet the president.
One of the pleasant incidents of the day
was the call paid by Senior Ojeda, the
Spanish minister, to Mrs. Dewey, wife of
the officer to whom the Spanish fleet sur
rendered in Manila Bay, and the man
most responsible for the loss of the Phil
ippines to Spain.
To a very remarkable extent politics
huFO SAfOh PAoSO " SOClOUy buO
holiday season, the president setting the
example by entertaining a large house
party and remaining away from his office
as much as circumstances would permit
Many members of congress left Washing
ton to return to-day when the second half
of the second session of the fifty seventh
congress convenes at noon. While legis-
lation has Jagged and politics have been
dull during the past two weeks, there Is
every reason to believe that the ensuing
two months will be marked by exception
al activity. Ordinarily, the last -sesefont
of a congress is devoted almost exclu-
sively to the passage of the regular ap-
preparation bills, but this year there are
many important matters demanding at
tention. The statehood bill Is still on
the senate calendar and Is the regular Or
der of business. During the holidays a
second bill has been drafted, admitting
Oklahoma and Indian Territory as one
state. The Cuban treaty awaits ratifica-
tton Or rejection and the same la true of
the New Foundland treaty. Senator Gull
lon is determined to secure some consid-
Grafton Of the Kasson reciprocity treaties,
which he declares should be disposed of
II only us a matter of courtesy to the
countries party to them. Trust legisla-
tion still occupies large share of atten-
tiOn, and will doubtless monopolize a
considerable portion of the time of con-
gress between now and the 4th of March.
The latest contribution to the antitrust
agitation consists of the Hoar bill, which
the venerable senator from Massachu-
setts made public last week. The meas
ure is sweeping in its provisions and, as
was to be expected, was Immediately at
tackled by persons opposed to antitrust
legislation. The most important opposi-
tion so far expressed comes from Repre-
sentative John J. Jenkins of Wisconsin.
Mr.. Jenkins Is chairman of the commit
tee on judiciary, majority of which
committee must ue won to the support of
the bill before 1t can come before the
house for action. A summary of MIR.
Jenkins' opinion Is to the effect that the
trusts have nothing to fear and the peo-
pie nothing to gain by the passage of the
bill. He further declares that the meas
ure contains nothing new, apart from its
phraseology.
After providing that $5OO,OOO shall be
placed at the disposal of the attorney
general for the prosecution of trusts, a
sum already appropriated by the house
for that purpose, Senator Hoar's bill en-
joins absolute publicity for all CORPORA
tions doing an Interstate or foreign busi-
ness, where there Is not double liability
on the part of stockholders. For COM
bining in restraint of trade, exacting a
contract from purchasers prohibiting the
sale of goods below stipulated price, or
for selling below the market price for the
purpose of running competitor, penal
ty is imposed, to consist of $5 900 fine,
or not exceeding one years imprison-
ment, or both, and the second conviction
for violation of any provision of the law
entails forfeiture of charter. These are
the leading provisions Of the bill.
Greet interest Is still manifested in the
fate of the Cuban treaty. Senator Platt
OF Connecticut told your correspondent
that SO far as he had learned the only
arguments advanced against the treaty
were pure nonsense, and would be easily
desposed of when the Treaty came up for
discussion. There Is, however, an under
current of opposition to the treaty from
the high protectionists, who believe they
see in it an entering wedge which will ul-
timately lead to reductions of the Ding
ley duties.
The treaty with Colombia Is still an
occasion of anxiety to the administration.
Secretary Hay has made an offer which
he regards as extremelv liheral and II Ia