Gilpin observer., 1903-02-26
WASHINGTON LETTER
Washington, Feb. 81. 1908.

pended 80 mOCn Lluo, 10 uosInoO W "
noble death in pigeon hole of Senate
committee. Evidently it's provisions did
not meet with the approval OF the trust
magnates and accordingly the House
leaders deferred action on it until the
Senate found an opportunity to enact
the Ekins bill which empodies one of
the Attorney Generals recommendations
that rebates on transportation charges
be prohibited and that grantor and re-
ceiver be both made liable under law.
This important measure was passed by
the Senate without debate. So anxious
were the democrats that some measure
looking to trust control be enacted, that
they did not dare to precipitate discuss
ion. 1t is generally understood that the
more influential railroads have no object
ion to the Elkins pill as they believe it
will save them from many embarass-
ments incident to the granting of re-
bates.
***
The Knox bill, popularity known as the
"hurry-up" bill, has been enacted. 1t
provides for the expediting of antitrust
cases in the courts and was favorably
reported by Senator Fairbanks from the
Senate committee on Judiciary. The
conference committee on the bill estab-
fishing department Of commerce and
labor is now holding daily sessions and
Senator Nelson hopes to secure the adop-
ton of his amendment providing for GER
tain publicity features as q part OF the
duties of the proposed bureau of corpo
rations. The Little6eld bill will doubt
less be passed by the house, but will re-
ceive no consideration by the senate.
| ~
A compromise on the statehood bill is
confidently expected by the leaders OF
both factions in the senate within day
or two. The compromise will either ad-
nit the three territories as two states,
combining New Mexico and Arizona un-
der the name Of the latter, or provide
for the immediate admission OF Okla
homa and authorize the president to ad
nit the two others by proclamation when
they shall have complied with certain
prescribed conditions. The acceptance
of the compromise plan by the senate
leaders constitutes decided victory for
the demo Gratis who have stood squarely
ON the statehood proposition anc whose
firm support has enabled Senator Quay,
who lead the fight, to force the opponents
to compromise.
~
The Venezuelan negotiations continue
and with increased prospect of definite
settlement on terms satisfactory to the
United States. The proposition that 20
per cent of the customs receipts of the
ports of LaGuira and Puerto Cabello
should go to the allies aud 10 per cent to
the other nations, until the entire
amount OF Venezuela's indie btedness was
paiu of was promptly rejected by Mr..
Bowen on the ground that such an ar
rangemert would perpetuate the alliance
OF Great Britain and Germany against
AN American nation for not less than six
years. When the allies found that the
United States stood back OF the rejec-
tion they again began a series OF conf
dences which are expected to result in a
satisfactory decision.
~
Considerable interest has arisen in po-
litcal circles from the refusal Of the
senate judiciary committee to stand
back of the presidents unwarranted
deal with "Gasman" Addicks of Della
ware. Mr.. William Michael Byrne, a
United States attorney OF Delaware, re-
dicks and ran for congress against the
anti-Addcks nominee. He was defeated,
a democrat being elected, and Mr.. Roose-
welt promptly reappointed him attorney.
ed to report his nomination favoratly
ana has thus placed the president in a
bad light. Before voting on the appoint
ment, the committee notified the presi-
dent of their position oo.that he might
withdraw the nomination, but he de-
clined to do so, and with his usual stub.
bornAess insisted that his nominee be
confirmed.
w.
rhe presidents persistent refusal to
reopen tho postofilce at Indianola. Miss,
is making much trouble for TIE postof-
flee authorities. The white people OF
the town have made an arrangement
with white carrier who brings them
their mail, but the negroes have no such
arrangement, and as consequence their
letters and numerous remittances are
J accumulating in the postofiice at Green's
burg where Indlanola mail now goes to
the prejudice OF the service and the in.