Gilpin observer., 1903-01-15
WASHINGTON NEWS AND
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS


said that he was SO we'll pleased with
the new library and the use made of
his gift of $3.50, 900, and the provision
for the support Of the library that he
would give another $350.000 for the
erection of branch libraries on the
same condition as the original gift,
namely, that the city provide the sites
and arrange for the support of the IL
braries.
When the Senate reconvened aftor
the holiday recess few senators were
absent. Almost Immediately a discus
sion began regarding the coal situation
Mr.. Lodge announced 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 q number of factories would have
to shut down.
The House committee on military af-
fairs has completed the army appro-'
priation bill, which carries $72,538,33
about ST, 900, 900 less than the estimate.
The appropriation last year was S91.-
246, ,636 Provision is made for the
mastering out of the Porto Rican pro-
visional regiment July 1st next, the
soldiers to receive two months extra
pay; also that soldiers qualifying as
expert rifemen shall receive 81 extra
per month. also to authorize the secre-
tary of war to accept $4,000 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.
1T
creation of general staff for the
army by a vote of 153 to So. 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 time 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 to 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 brigadier
generals, four colonels. six lieutenant
colonels and 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 z. 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
or 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 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 of the War Department
are embodied in bill prepared for the
action OF Congress authorizing the sec
retary of war. in his discretion, to let
the army transports, by charter or
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 confer
ence a few days since with Speaker
Henderson and Representative Gros-
venor of Ohio, with regard to proper
antitrust legislation. The conference
lasted for a considerable time, the sit
uation in the House being discussed
thoroughly. 1t 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
!th instant, introduced a second trust
bill 1t 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 a
certificate in any such case pending in
any Circuit Court of the United States
to the effect that the case is of gen.
eral public Importance. A copy OF the
papers In the case is then to be given
to each of the circuit judges of the
court, and 1t Is thereupon to be given
precedence of any other case and to be
assigned for hearing at the earliest
practicable moment. Representative
Littlefield introduced the same bill in
the House.
Three members of the House public
lands committee. Shafroth, Brundidge
and Jones. have filed strong minority
report protesting against the passage
of the checker board land bill. recent
ly reported favorably to the House.
They allege that the bill proposes the
exchange wholly In the interest OF
specified settlers and that 1t is class
Legislation that will not benefit the
government or the public. Under It's
provisions millions of dollars would
have to be expended In making ex-
changes, with no return to the gov
ernment. They assert that despite It's