Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-01-13
DRAX line On FAN)RS
Congressional Committee on
Public Buildings Will
Disappoint Many
WILL NOT REPORT GENERAL BILL
Decision May Not Be Final, But for
Present, Public Buildings Will Not Be
Provided for in Usual Omnibus Fash
ion-Radcal Legislation on Trust
Question, Not Probable.
Special to Times Republican

Special to Times Republican,
Washington, D. c., Jan. ia source
Eof moderate grief will rise up in a whole
Hot of eXpectant American towns
| Iowa has few on the list-in view
/ of the fact that the congressional COM
tmittee on public buildings has prac-
tically concluded not to report gen.
eral bill providing for public buildings
! in the usual omnibus fashion, but will
icontent itself by recommending spe-
lcific changes in number already
planned for. This action Of the COM
| mittee may not be final, yet it is re-
garded as the hand writing on the
wall" that for couple OF years, at
least, seals the doom of many a coveted
structure. Webster City and Museatine
had great expectations along this line.
as both cities have made quite a
struggle for recognition. Boone's phe-
lnomenal success in bagging prize
worth 100000, has seemingly placed
the getting of these favors on easy
street, hence, the greater disappoint-
ment at being turned down. But 1t
must be remembered that the Boone
Ibenefaction was a marvel, even In these
| winning days, and 1t is fair to pre-
sumo will not be very many times
duplicated in Iowa. In its apparently
final conclusion, the committee was
probably influenced by the idea that the
temper of the house would not endorse
a liveral appropriation for this pur-
pose, especially in view of the imper-
alive and somewhat unexpected de-
lmand for two or three million dollars
from our. Philippine possessions to help
tide over their recent misfortunes.
"A conclusion seems to have been
generally reached. in congress and out
of it. that no radical legislation on the
trust question will be effected during
this session, aitho it is well known
that President Roosevelt has set his
desires in that direction. There seem
to be SO many conflicting views that
a getting together is problem that
staggers even the men adroit in making
up lnajorities. One prominent leader
AYERS that in no way can the result be
accomplished save by a broadening of
constitutional provisions-a long, hard
Jordan to travel. A second faction;
equally as astute, claim that 1t is
question OF publicity-making known
existing conditions and then legislating
on the theory of the greatest good to
the greatest number. Agood many are
impressed by the notion thai whatever
congress does, goes. and the only feas-
iible. plan is to forge ahead and do
something. The change in front by Il
branch OF the executive department.
is noticeable and the subject Of COM
ment. AS soon as the question was
fairly before congress, Attorney Gener-
al Knox stated that he would stand
'aloof, so far as being an influence was
concerned, unless summoned by a COM
mittee in a professional way. Later,
possibly at the instance of his CHIEF.
lis Is reported he has taken the ag-
gressive, noting that the trend OF con-
gressional opinion lay along the line
of leaving the great question to be
wrestled with by the Fifty eighth con-
gress. But even this push. with tho
Iundergirdings of presidential endorse
ment, does not appear to gravitate to-
wards an effectual call, so apparently
to deal with this confessedly knotty
problem. Disguise 1t as you may, there
is more or less politics in the subject
and the bridge of commercial and
financial position must be carefully
tested to see how 1t will stand the
strain. More than this, 1t is said that
even If the house should pass sweep
ing bill relating to trusts, It would
probably be held up in the senate, I'M
der the pretext of lack of time, more
important legislation, or what not else.
Humanity at large, individually and
collectively, are obliged to do things
they don't want to do. but the United
States senate never, If we may except
obedience to the imperious summons of
the death angel. Hence, it is fair to
say that those who had fondly hoped
that something might be done speedily
to check the wild designs of the cor
porations, will have to possess their
souls in patience for an indefinite per-.
iod. We may not forget the fat
1.-The mills of the (political) gods grinl;
SLOW" More's the pity.
The mysteries (t would be safe to
say iniquities) connected with the coal
question are being fo-cefully and fear
lessly analysed by congressional COM
mittee. and the operators, the local
dealers or the railways are going to be
"pinched" before the struggle for the
rights and comforts CT the people is
closed. One by one the factors in the
big deal wash their hands of any COM
;plicity in the offenses charged, but the
of charging ex-
tortionate prices for coal must lie at
somebody's door, and the cry of the
needy in their misery is, Let no guilty
man escape This nauch has been
proven: The Independent operators
the Ishmaelites in the deal-have been
able to get coal in unlimited quantities
into the markets, while The railways
declare that they have been unable to
move their own product, or, in other
words. have not been able to fill their