The state herald., 1903-01-16

his gift Of $360.00O, and the provision
| for the support of the library that he
would give another s350000 for the
erection Of branch llpraries on the
same condition as the original gift,
namely, that the city provide the sites
and arrange for the support of the Ii
braries.
When the Senate reconvened after
the holiday recess few senators were
absent. Almost Immediately discus
sion began regarding the coal situation.
/ Mr.. Lodge ansonnced his introduction
Of bill suspending for ninety 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 at
once a number of factories would have
to shut down.
Tho House committee on military af-
| fairs has completed the army appro-
priation bill. which carries S72,53S, ,337,
about s., 10000 less than the estimate.
The appropriation last year was $751;
246, ,G36. Provision is made for the
mastering out of the Porto Rican pro-
vsional regiment July LIST next, the
soldiers to receive two months extra
pay: also tho1 ,t!ers qualifying as
expert rifemen shall receive 81 extra
per month, also 10 authorize the secre-
tary of war to accept 100000 from the
Daughters of the Revolution for the
erection of a memorial building for the
physical welfare of the enlisted men
at such military posts as the secretary
of war may direct.
The House passed the bill for the
creation of general staff for the
army by a vote of 1853 to 52. By the
tcrms of the bill it becomes the duty
OF the general staff to prepare plans
for the national defense and for the
war, to investigate and report on all
questions affecting the efficiency of the
service and to render professional aid
to the secretary of war and to general
| officers and other superior command
| ers. The general staff corps is to con-
| sist of one chief of staff and two gem
| eral officers. all to be detailed by the
| President from officers of the army at
large ..ot below the grade of brigadier
| gensseis. four colonels, six lieutenant
colones aai twelve majors. twenty
captains to be detailed from officers of
/ the grade of captain or first lieutenant,
/ who. while so serving. shall have the
rank. pay and allowances of captains
mounted. All officers in the general
STAFF shall be detailed therein for per-
iods of four years.
Secretary Root has addressed letters
to Il. ii. Hartman, representing the
shipping interests of San Francisco,
and to Alfred Winsor. representing the
shipping interests of Seattle and Ia
coma. and also TO Clement A. Griscom
OF the International company, notify
| ing them of the conditions under
which he proposes to open the army
transport service on the Pacific to conf
| petition. He says he would be glad
/ to receive any suggestions which their
practical experience with the steam
ship business may enable them to
make, or which from their point of
view may seem to make the scheme
more practicable and fair to such ship
ping interests as may make proposals
| for the transaction of the business.
The schemes os-.he War Department
are embodied In bill prepared for the
action OF Congress authorizing the sec
retary OF war. in his discretion. to let
] AIt ny 'hhlA'i VI
otherwise. to the highest bidder in
open competition, for terms OF three
| years. unless the vessels are required
sooner for military purposes.
President Roosevelt had n confer
encc few days since with Speaker
| Henderson and Representative Gros-
venor of Ohio. with regard to proper
antitrust legislation. The conference
lasted for n considerable time. the sit
uation In the House being discussed
thoroughly. II is understood that the
President impressed upon his callers
who went to the executive offices AT
his request. his desire that some legis-
lation dealing with the trust question
should be enacted at the present ses-
sion OF Congress Senator Hoar on the
7th instant. introduced second trust
bill. II provides especially for the ex-
pediting Of suits in equity brought un-
der the provisions OF the present anti
trust law. II authorizes the attorney
general Of the United States to file n
certificate In any such case pending In
any Circuit Court Of the United States
| TO the effect that the case Is OF gem
eral public importance. A copy OF the
DAItIh III lUf 'aHF ~ iutll VI bt klNtH
| to each OF the circuit judges of tn.
court. and II In thercupon TO be given
! precedence OF any other case and 10 be
assigned for hearing at the earliest
practicable moment Representative
l.ittleHeld introduced the same bill In
the House.
Three members Of the House public
lands committee. Shafroth. Brundidge
| and Jones. have filed n strong minority
report protesting against the passage
! OF the checker board land bill, recent.
| ly reported fnvornbly to the House.
They allcgo that the bill proposes the
exchange wholly In the intercs, OF
! specified settlers and that II is class
legislation that will not benefit the
government or the public, Under It's
provisions millions OF dollars would
have 10 be- oz.-AEded In making cs'
changes, with no return TO the gov
ernmcnt They assert that despite It's
careful wording. II would result In
showing on on the government worth
less lands In exchange for those OF
considerable. value. and fraud under
Its provisions could not be prohibited
Under the bill lands returned 10 the
government must be acquired In not
to exceed 100 acre tracts. yet the com
mit,oe says. quoting Secretary Hitch
cock. that small tracts OF these lands
are practically worthless, How, then,
ask the minority. would the bill tend
TO develop the country The bill In
said To be unjust In allowing holders
Of odd sections TO make exchanges,
while settlers on even sections within
grants shalt not enjoy the same priv.