Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1903-02-05
ELKINS BILL PASSED.
The Measure Il to Regulate Rail-
road Transportation.
ARMY APPROPRIATION BILL PASSED.
Senator 0uAries Speaks In Opposition TO the
Statehood Biil-The House Passed Many
Claims Bnis-Ths Post once Appro-
priation Bill Considered.

Washington, Feb. 1.-THE senate
yesterday passed without objection
or discussion the Ellins bill to fur
Their regulate railroad transporta-
ton. 1t is one of number of meas
ures presented in this congress con-
corning corporations and has partic-
ular reference to railroads. The
army appropriation bill, which went
over Monday at the request OF SEN
ator Pettus, was passed. The provi-
sion establishing a general staff was
eliminated. Later the independent
measure, identical in its provisions
with the general staff section of the
army bill, was passed, after having
been reconsidered to permit the in
corporation of an amendment by
Senator Berry, placing the chief Of
staff exclusively under the direction
Of the president. The bill now goes
to conference.
Senator Quarles continued his re-
marks in opposition to the state
hood bill. He spoke for 2M hours
without concluding.
There was considerable talk about
the senate of the possibility OF .
compromise ON the statehood propo-
sition. A suggestion which appears
to meet with some favor on both
sides Of the controversy is that the
two territories of Oklahoma and
New Mexico be admitted as states and
that Arizona be united with New
Mexico until the area now. covered
by that territory includes Soe,oco
people, when it shall become state,
and that Oklahoma be admitted as
it now stands, but that at some def
mite time in the future the Indian
territory should be added to it.
Tho Panama canal treaty was re-
ported TO the senate in executive
session by Senator Cullom, chairman
Of the committee on foreign rela-
ticns. He did not make an effort to
secure consideration of the treaty,
but stated that the committee had
agreed to report it unamended. Sem
ator Morgan offered in the senate
the amendments to the treaty which
he had offered in committee. They
were ordered printed without being
read.
The house spent practically the
whole day yesterday on claim bills
coming over from last week. Mr..
Payne, the floor leader of the ma
iority, fought them all, but succeed
ed in defeating only three bills. After
the claims measures were disposed
of general debate on the post office
appropriation bill was resumed and
Mr.. Robb, of Missouri, addressed the
house on the trust question.
Mr.. Jackson has introduced reso-
luton adopted by the legislature OF
Kansas urging members of the Kan
sas delegation in congress to use
their influence to have one OF the
new battleships named kansas"
It was referred to the committee on
naval affairs.
A bill was introduced by Mr.. Stay
den, of Texas, providing as follows;
tThat to prevent the spread of the
bubonic plague now prevailing on the
Pacific coast of Mexico the president
is authorized and directed to send a
commission of three medical officers
Of the army and navy to investigate
and report the conditions as to the
disease there prevalent"
The bill carries an appropriation
of $50, 900 to aid the Mexican authori-
ties in their efforts to stamp out the
plague and to prevent its spread to
the United States.