The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-16
OPPOSED BY c. B. lands
BILL TO REORGANIZB THE CONSULAR
SERVICE CRITICISED.
Delphi's Congressman Thinks PoIiti-
cal Workers Should Not BE Barred
Army Post Site Not Selected.
STAFF Correspondence of the Journal

Staff Correspondence of the Journal.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 15.-Representative
c. B. Lands, of Indiana, is vigorously op-
posed to the bill to reorganize the consular
service in it's present form, and as a MEM
ber of the committee on foreign affairs
presented his objections this afternoon
while the committee was considering the
measure. The bill practically creates a
system of civil service TO govern the con-
sular service and takes il out Of politics
Mr.. Lands points out that in his district
the men who do the things in politics are
the ablest and most intelligent of the dis
trict, and he does not think 1t fair that
such men should be barred from consular
appointments unless they take a course of
ton. Before the bill went to the House
this afternoon Mr.. Landis succeeded in
amending it. making sixty-eight the age
limit for the consular service.
Late this evening it was announced at
the War Department that no decision had
been reached in the matter OF selecting a
site for the indianapolis military post The
secretary OF war sent word to Senator Fair
banks that he desired to consult with him
tomorrow.
morrow take up the resolution providing
for an investigation of the National
Bureau of Literature and Art" the concern
in which Senator Barcus is largely inter
ested. II. G. Smith. the Michigan Congress
man who presented the resolution will ap-
knows OF the bureau which publishes 1.-The
messages and papers OF the President"
The commissioner of the General Land
Office to-day sent a letter to Representative
Steele in reference to the repeal of the
desert land law and the Communication clause
of the homestead act. Mr.. Steele recently
received letter from Secretary Wood Of
the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers
of Logansport, urging that the act be re-
pealed. claiming that land grabbers are rob-
bing the people under these laws. Other
societies have written similar letters to
members of Congress. The commissioner
of the land office thinks there must
be concerted action from some quar-
ter TO induce the legislation suggested He
produces figures to show that the number
of commuted homesteads during a period
of ten years were less than seven-tenths of
/ per cent. of the number of entries made
during that period.
Daniel z. Storms left for Indiana this af-
ternoon. This morning he was introduced
at the White House by Representative
Crumpacker and enjoyed a chat with the
President.
c. +. Edgarton, of Rushville, one of Mr..
Watson's constituents. was here to-day
and accompanied Mr.. Watson to New York
where the latter made a Republican speech
tonight at Madison Square Garden. Mr..
Edgarton will return to Washington to re-
main week.
Hugh III. Hanna, of Indianapolis, chair
man of the monetary commission, and
Postmaster General Payne to-day conferred
with President Roosevelt regarding cur
rency legislation in Congress. The Fowler
bill introduced on Dec. IL was talked over.
III has the approval Of the postmaster gen.
eral. Secretary Shaw and Mr. Hanna. The
President expressed himself i'm favor of
legislation, but legislation along the lines
of that measure.
Representative Steele was informed to-
day by the superintendent of rural free
delivery that an order has been issued TO
the spcial agent i'm charge of rural service
in Indiana to arrange for the completion
of the service in Blackford and Wabash
counties as soon as Miami and Cass are
completed
Representative Holiday secured a prom
Use from the Eostoffice Department to-day
that on March I twenty new rural routes
would be established In his district.
G.. A. c.