Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1903-02-12
WASHINGTON LETTER.
tFrom our Regular Correspondent)
Washington, Feb. 8, 1908.

be adopted by the House, so that
this session of Congress, notwith-
standing the brief time at it's dis
posal, and the Statehood blockade
in the Senate, will be able to ad-
journ with the knowledge that it
has done all that is possible or judi
cious to uphold and strengthen the
hands of the Attorney General in
his efforts to correct the trust evils.
The only important feature of this
program not yet accomplished is
the passage ofthe Elkins bill by the
House and your correspondent has
received assurances from Speaker
Henderson and the other leaders of
the lower chamber that it will be
enacted at an early date.
The antitrust program when
enacted will provide an appropria-
ton of $500, 600 the employment of
expert assistance in the prosecution
of antitrust suits; the enactmento of
measure expediting the trial of
antitrust suits in the courts; the
prohibition of rebates with equal
penalties on receivers and grantors,
provided by the Elkins bill; a pub
licity feature for industrial corpora
tions included in the bill establish
ing Department of Commerce and
Labor. The publicity feature is
provided for in what is known as
the Nelson amendment. The pro-
posed Bureau of Corporations has
been replaced with a Commissioner
of Corporations who is empowered
TO collect and compile for the use
of the President and necessary
statistics.
The Interstate Commerce Com
mission will remain entact instead
of Icing included in the new De-
partment as was intended and as
was provided in the House bill.
Strengthened by the provisions of
the Elkins bill, the Commission will
become far more effective in it's sup
ervision of transportation compan-
les. The assurance of the new De
partment Of Commerce and Labor
is accompanied by an authoritative
statement to the effect that Mr..
George b. Cortelyou, now Secretary
to the President, will become its
secretary and, as such, q member
of the Cabinet. Mr.. Cortclyou has
long been a valued advisor of the
President and has earned by most
exceptional merit the position for
which he has been selected.
The Statehood situation in the
Senate is still in "statue Quay to
use the witticism of Senator Platt.
but there are indications of com
promise which will be reached in
the near future. The present plan
is to admit Oklahoma as one state
and Arizona and New Mexico as
another, Senator Quay has not yet
given it his approval, but as it be-
comes evident that no more favor
able arrangement can be made it
becomes more likely that he will do
so.
The House of Representative
passed the Littlefeld antitrust bill
on Saturday and it will now go to
the Senate but will not be taken
under consideration there, both
time and inclination preventing it's
being taken up. 1t will, of course,
be referred to the Judiciary com
mittee of which Senator Hoar is
chairman and he assures your cor
respondent that he is very doubt
full if it will be even reported to the
Senate.
The Venezuelan controversy has
not yet been settled although those
persons in q position to know feel
confident that it will be at an early
date. The so called "shirt sleeve
diplomacy" of Minister Bowen
came very near precipitating a mis-
understanding this week AN attempt
was made by the representatives of
the Allies to go over Mr.. Bowen's
head and secure the intervention
and arbitration of the President.
This proposition Mr.. Roosevelt
promptly declined and conferences
with Bowen are again in progress.
He has offered 10 each OF his Allies
payment Of $27, 500 as an evidence
of good faith, His offer has not yet
been accepted as it is conditional
on the mediate raising of the Vene-
zuelan blockade.