The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1904-03-17
At Washington.

Rep. George W. Croft of Aiken, S. c.
died at bis home in this city, ThursdAy.
OF blood poisoning Mr.. croft lad bee4
i'll for over six weeks.
Mr.. David H.Stsples of Skowhessa,
Me, has been granted patent on a de-
vice for fluid pressure coupling for air
brakes and Howard F. Maxim of Bethel
Me, has been granted a patent for an
automatic apparatus for extinguishing
fire.
The House has passed the bill granting
American registry to the teamship Mira
(Beaumont), which was wrecked off
Nova Scotia and towed to Halifax.
Representatives Littlefeld and Steyeua
of Minnesota fought the passage Of the
bill to no avail II was stoutly opposed
in the committee on merchant marine
and fisheries by representatives OF
Arthur Sewall & Co. of Bath The biz
now goes to the senate for action.
Representative Burleigh has introduced
bill to grant an increase of pension To
Henry Boynton. Representative Little
field has presented the petition of Viii
son post, No. II, Department of MAinn.
G. A. R for service pension Lag.
There has been lull, of late, ia tbs
activity around the apital for each
legislation. At one time it looked a.
though the bill would pass the Houas
but that 1t would be held up In the Sea-
ate. The opposition to such Legislators
is very strong.
Senator Frye has presented the peti-
ton of Sagadahoc lodge, No. los,
brotherhood of Boiermakersi and Iroa
Shipbulders at Bath, Me-, asking for
legislation to develop the American mer-
chant marine 1t may be that at th9
next session of Congress senator Frye
will offer his subsidy bill again but all
hope of such legislation at this sessioz
has gone.
Representative Littlefeld has intro
duced bill TO erect grand new build
ing for the supreme court of the United
States, just north of the present Con-
gressionsl library. The idea is TO have
the new building a companion building
for the library, which is regarded Al
probably the grandest building on this
continent. The Official copy of the de-
cision of The Hague tribunal in the
Venezuelan cases has been received at
the State Department. The cost to the
United states for its share of the ex-
$500 The government must also pay
fees of its own special counsel in the
case which will amount TO a great deal
more than the above figure. The total
of the claims allowed against Venezueiz
lie in the neighborhood of $40 000. 900,
about half of which goes TO the allied
powers. and until they are paid th&
United States and associated powers get
nothing.
On Friday the House of Represents
tives INDUCED n nearly seven hours OF
explanation, accusation and denunciA-
ton and then ordered, with only twe
negative votes, an Investigation of postal
i affairs, as far as members of the House
are concerned by special committee OF
seven members 10 DE appointed By the
Speaker, who likewise are to examine
into the origin of the Bristow report &c
far as ii concerns members Of the House.
The demand Of the minority for a sweep
ing investigation of every branch of the
postofice department was not granted
The test on this question came on q vote
which resu ted l44 to lbs, strict party
vote
When the House met, Saturday
+ Speaker tannon announced the speciz.
committee provided for in the Mct ali
reso ution, adopted by the House, FRI
day, to investigate 1.-THE Indictment re-
port from the Postoffice department, aa
Hit, K Ill ; Burton, r.. Ohio Meteah,
r Cal; McDermott, D., \ Bartlett
D., Ga ; and Richardson, D., Ala.