The Grit-advocate., 1903-01-16
WASHINGTON NEWS AND
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS

me A.M tlNla.. a.t '|N. .iS' maze OF
bis gtf, Of Sa5oy0o. and the provision
for the support OF the library rhat hs
would give another $3.50 900 for chs
erection Of branch hDraries on the
same condition as the original gift.
namely that the niry provide the sites
and arrange for the support OF the IL
braries
When the Senate rerOuveued after
the holiday recess few senators were
absent. Almost Immediately discu8-
sion began regarding the coal situation.
Mr.. Lodge announced his Introduction
Of q bill suspending lor ninety days tho
duty on coal. with the statement that
in New England there was much dis
tress owing to tn" scarcity Of coal.
and that unless relief was afforded at
once number of factories would have
TO shut down
The House committee on military al
fairs has completed the army appro-
priatiuu bill. which catrIes ST. .538 .337,
about $4,000 D0U less than the estimate.
Tho appropriation last year wa+ SOL
2iG.G3G Provision is made for the
mastering out of the Porto Rican pro-
yisiOnal regiment July lst next, tho
soldiers to receive two months extra
pay. also that soldiers qualifying as
expert rihomen shall receive 81 extra
per month. also TO authorize TIA" 5ecre-
tary Of war to accept $4,000 from tho
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 n general stan for the
army by vote Of l53 to ~. BY the
terms Of the bill it becomes the duty
of the general staff to prepare plans
for the national defense and for the
mobilization OF the army in tins of
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 10 general
officers and other superior command
ers. The general staff corps is to con
sist of one chief of staff and two gen
eral officers. all to be detailed by the
President from officers of the army at
large not below the grade of bTigadier
generals, four COlOnels, six lieutenant
cOlOnelB and twelve majors, twenty
captains TO be detailed from officers "f
the grade of captain or irst lieutenant,
who, while SO serving. shan nave 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
10 f. H. 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. Griscum
Of the international company. notify
ing them Of the conditions under
which he proposes TO open the army
transport service on the Pacific to com
petition. He says ne 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 th" scheme
more practicable and fair TO such ship
ping interests as may make proposals
for the transaction Of the business
The schemes Of tho War Department
are embodied in bill prepared for the
action Of Congress authorizing the sec
I"tary of war in his discretion, TO let
the army Transports by charter gr
otherwise. to the highest bidder in
open competition, for terms Of three
years unless the vessels are required
sooner Tor military purposes.
President Roosevelt had a confer
cucc a few days since with Speaker
Henderson and Representative Gros.
yrnor Of Ohio with regard to proper
antitrust Legislation. The conference
lasted for considerable time, the sit
ua1iOu in the HOua" being discussed
thoroughly II is understood that tn"
President impressed upon his callers
who went TO the executive offices Al
his request his desire thai some Icgjs-
Iariuu dealing with the trust question
should be enacted at the present ~
sion Of Congress. Senator HOar on tho
7th instant, introduced a second trust
bill II provides especially for the cN-
pcdiriug Of suits IN equity brought un-
der the provisions OF the present anti
trust law 1t authorizes the attorney
general OF the United States TO file a
certificate in any such case pending ia
any Circuit Court Of tn" United States
20 The effect that the case is OF gen
rral public Importance. a copy of TN"
uapors in the case is then to be given
TO- each of the circuit judges of the
court and il is thcrcupOu TO be given
precedence Of any other case and 10 be
assigned for hearing at the earliest
practicable mDw"nt. Representative
liturtrlG iu'.odI"nl the same bill in
the House.
Three members Of the House publ.
auds ,owu.una 5uotrn.h BruuGId-'
and Jones. ta.. g.'a -1r"u minority
report rrc'a+rtHG a4A.n 'hn passage
Il She oh,.f." u.m.. land oiIl recent
" rnn r.n1 .a.nra E t1 ran House
rls a.n.u that '.. .1 @r0uu..- I'll"
.Nnnau-r w.,'. .n #a interest nc
...ou.a .,.'.r. ... t.aN II b. D.l-7
..-i.a a.Yu tua' .. rt tmu..r '."
uaman.ar or r.a .-u.o 'uaar ifs
HrH .n. w.. a- O.. dollars ".aH
.a.. r. ..-..'.- So wI.frs o,.
.haa- .. with rH '.'.ru 90 'an grE-
.ruu.ur They aszrr- that arsp.'" its