The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-25
Agricultural Appropriation Bill
 Has the Boards.
TO TAKE FINAL ACTION TODAY
The Construction of Bridge In Clarke County, Alabama, Across the Tom. biebee River, Is Authorized
 By the Senate.

Washington, February 24.-rhe senate spent the greater part of today discussing an amendment to the agricultural appro- priation bill striking out the house pro- vision giving authority to the secretary of agriculture to inspect imported food products, when misbranded or suspected of mpurity. The amendment was sug- gested by MT. Aldrich, who said the pro- visions opened the way for an encroach- ment by the secretary of agriculture on duties of the secretary of the treasury. and was calculated to cause a duplication of the service of the two officials.
 The discussion was closed by substi- tuting the provision of the act of 1900 bearing on the same point. Consideration of the bill practically was concluded. but final action on 1t was postponed until to- morrow, In order to allow an inspection of 1t as amended.
 When the senate met today Mir Cullom, on the committee on appropriations, re- ported the executive, legislative and judi cial appropriation bill giving notice that he would ask the senate to take it up to- morrow if the agricultural bill shall be disposed of by that time.
 File Proofs In Court.
 The house bill permitted those who make entry under the land laws to file proofs in courts of record at the county seats of the county in which there was such courts passed, but MT. Mitchell entered mo- ton to reconsider, saying he desired an opportunity to inspect the bill. The bill authorizing the Mobile and West Alabama Railroad company to con- struct bridge across the Tombigbee river in Clark county, Alabama, was passed The senate then resumed consideration of the agricultural appropriation bill con- tinued the reading of the committee amendment
 MT. Hale made point of order against the committee provisions authorizing the secretary of agriculture to examine and report upon sample of seeds, to accept fees for the service and make certificate of the result of such inspection. His point r'as that this was general Legislation and It was suggested that the certificates thus provided would be used for advertising purposes. The point of order was sus- tained.
 The amendment made by the commit tee striking out the house provisions ap- -opriating $40.000 for the introduction of foreign plants and seeds was disagreed to. At the instance of Mir. Stewart an amendment directing the Secretary of ag- riculture to investigate the effect of cold storage upon healthfulness of food was adopted.
 Strike Out Provisions.
 Mir. Aldrich moved to strike the house provision authorizing the secretary of aE== riculture to make investigation of import ed food products believed to be impure and injurious to health. The amendment caused considerable debate. Mir. Aldrich said that under this provisions the secre- tary of the treasury Is placed under the control of the secretary of agriculture and that the secretary of the treasury has ample authority to himself make in- vestigation as to the character of import ed articles. Mir Proctor opposed the amendment. saying that the provision is practically the same as that contained in last years act He read letter from the secretary of the treasury, saying that the effect of the present law had been very beneficial and adding there could be no objection to some supervision of the kind by the agricultural department.
 MT. Tillman suggested that the bill be amended so that 1t would transfer tho passing upon impure food from the sec retary of agriculture to the secretary of the treasury.
 80 far as I am concerned.'' he said. 'T feel perfectly safe long as the two gentlemen from Iowa, the secretary of the treasury and the secretary of agricul- ture, are looking after our stomachs by shutting out impure food but I am pre- pairing for that time when Iowa has not that matter in charge"
 Willing for the Amendment.
 MT. Allison indicated a willingness to have the provision amended in minor par ticulars, but said that the determination of the degree of purity had been left to the secretary of agriculture. rather than the secretary of the treasury, because the former had the machinery for carrying 1t into effect.
 Mir. Beveridge said there clearly was q oF rif in Iatx nH that if good results had been secured they were due to the good sense of the secre- tary of agriculture and not to any merit in law.
 Mir Perkins said that California was much interested in proper investigation into the question of imported foods. and he mentioned incidentally, that cotton seed oil frequently was imported as olive oil. MT. Tillman inquired whether olive oil was any sweeter or better than cotton seed oil. and MT. Perkins replied that while cotton seed oil might suit the Ital- ian taste of some people. he insisted that the article should be properly labeled.
 Does the senator know California champagne from the European article?' asked Mir Tillman, and Mir. Perkins re- piled:
 If the senator from South Carolina will bring on the samples will let him know"
 Laugh at Tillman's Expense.
 This caused laugh at MT. Tillmans ex- pense. and MT. Perkins added that if he ever should take anything stronger than coffee he would not be disloyal to the products of his own state"
 Several of the advocates of Mr. AL drich's amendment having indicated that the provisions of the act of 1900 bearing on the question at issue would be accept able to them. MT. Proctor withdrew the house provision and substituted that of 1900
 MT. McCumber pointed out that this acc would make the provision applicable only to impure food, leaving out all regula- tions relating to false labelling and false branding and the act of 1900 was amend ed to cover this point.
 Further consideration of the bill was postponed until tomorrow and the follow ing bills were passed:
 Authorizing the Kiowa, Chickasaw and Fort Smith Railway company to sell its road in Indian Territory
 Defining the limit of navigation of the Oca in