Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-04-13
CAPITAL CHAT.
Maine Members Pleased on
Passage of Shipping Laws.
Expected That Session Will End in
About Two Weeks.
Our Representatives Pleased at Work
They Have Done.

Washington, d. c., April r.
(Specian. The members of the Maine
delegation here feel well pleased ovel
the legislation by the House last week
to extend the coastwisc shipping laws
to the Philippine Islands. AS the
House passed the bill. which had
already passed to Senate, it will Ger.
tainly become i law before the close OF
the session.
1t is true that the law does not &C
into operation till July 1, 1905" sait
Gov. BurlciSh this afternoon, land the
Maine ship owners, who have made q
gallant fight for the legislation, will no,
begin to reap the benefits of the law
for over Il year but, nevertheless. they
now have something to look forward
TO. l am sure that the moral effect or
the shipping business. especially with
the Maine firms that own ships in the
Philippine trade, will be noticeable
from now on.
Representative Littlefield was very
aggressive in pressing for such legisla-
ton" added Gov. BurlciGh. AS a
member Of the House Committee on
Merchant Marine and Fisheries Mr.
Littleficld did heroic service for the
measure. 1t is Il very satisfactory
piece of legislation from the Maine
stGndpOint.
Over in the Senate too much credit
FOR the success OF the legislation can
not be given senator Hale. He made a
very firm stand i'll the Committee on
the Philippines. of which he is one OF
the first Republican members against
the cordage interests, that were fight
ing the hill. Then later he had
practical charge Of the bill on the floor
of the Senate and delivered many
telling blows i'll its behalf
Representative Allen had an interest
ing Maine visitor 4 few days ago in the
person of Rev. Timothy +. Hussey
head of the QuIkcrs organization III
Maine and Il resident of North Berwick.
He showed his visitor ali around the
Capitol. pointed out to him the men of
prominence in Senate and House, and
also took him 20 soc President Roose-
Welt and Secretary of State Hay,
Drothcr Husscv's chief mission here
was to see if the state Department
could net interccde with the Sultan of
Turkey so that the Friends mis-
sionaries at Jerusalem can have permit
for the erection of school there on the
same terms that are allowed to the
missionaries of European nations.
especially Germany.
Il have been in Washington a good
many times for brief visits but I was
never so favored as 7 have been on this
trip" said Brother Husscy as he shook
hands with Mr.. Allen and said farewell
in the main corridor of the House. 81
expect to be back in Maine about May
I but in The meantime I am going to
Virginia and to other points to look
after the work"
The Maine mon here are on the whole
well satisfied with what they have ac-
complished during the session of Con-
grcss just coming too an end. AS the
program of the leaders in Senate and
House has been against enacting much
legislation except the necessary ap
bills, the Maine men have
accomplished comparatively little
legislation. Nevertheless they have
gotten things in splendid shape for the
next. or short. session and will he able
to put on the harness next December to
accomplish good deal. Tho prcpara
tiors for River and Harbor legislation
for Maine and for several public build
incs arc in fine shape. Those familiar
with the ways Of getting legislator
mere know how important it is to mako
thorough preparations, often extending
oyer a year or two before actual re-
suits arc attained.
While tho outward achievements for
Maine 1T tho Carito! have not h""n
especially large. all the members of tn"
have hI1 Il very successful
winter IL their work before the Depart
mcnts. The nus:ncss Of Their cnneti-
tucnts in q thousand and one matter
has been attended to promptly. TIL"
interests Of the postal service Of the
state have been materially advanced
and a vast amount Of work has been
done in the interest OF Civil Wa"
veterans who have pension claims
pending.
In legislation not directly pertinent to
Maine hut affecting the country n
large. tho delegation, with hardly an
execution. has had Il prominent part
All have done Il good deal OF committee
work in tho way Of hearings on met
suros and in getting bills upon the
calendar so that the same can be acted
upon IT the next session.
There il . god deal Of activity
among the Maine men Just now in pre-
paring to get away from Washington,
for the session is expected to end in
about two weeks. It is rare that any ~
tho Maine delegation comes back to
WASHINGTON during the summer vaca-
ton. Only business Of urgent import
ancn brings them here except when
Congress IS ir session. One reason for
that and the chief reason. is that they
clean up all their work before they
In,vo nrd what comes in during the
SUMMON can he attended to in large
part bv correspondence. while the re-
mainder can be held over till December
The Maine Senators are having a
busv time in the closing days of the
especially Senator Hale, who
will he glad when his tasks are over.
The mast winter has been one Of the
busiest he has ever had, for his work
on appropriations has been more
thar ever and it has hap
pened that much of the other legis-
lation enacted has come from COM
mittees If which he is member.
CONTINUED on page 81