Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1904-04-28
CLOSE OF CONGRESS
PRESENT SESSION NEARINF FL
NAL HOURS.
Chief Work Has Been the NcgOti-
alton of Treaties With Panama
and Cuba-.Usual Economy and
Conservatism Previous to Press
ilcntial Election.

Washington, April 25.-The import
ant legislative accomplishments Of the
sessions of the Fiftieth congress were
confined to two subjects-Cuba and
Panama. The reciprocity trade treaty
between the new island republic and
the United States, initiated by presi-
dent Mckinley. was made operative
by Legislative enactment The ratifi-
cation of treaty by the senate and
the subsequent initiation of legislation
fonr the government of the canal zone
commits the United States to the con-
struction of the Panama canal connect
ing the waters of the Atlantic and Pa
cific oceans.
The special session, now demnomi-
mated the first session. vase allied for
the express purpose of carrying ont the
pledge of the nation to Cuba. The
Panama development was one which
rose suddenly and received immediate
action at the hands of the president.
Economy Is Shown.
The conservatism incident to the APP
preaching presidential campaign was
manifested by those responsible for the
acts of the national Legislative body.
The annual supply bills We're made
with an eye to economy. incidentally
they We're passed with greater dispatch
than heretofore has been the case with
a long session.
The senate ratified the treaty with
Cuba to carry out the terms of the
Platt amendment.
1t also ratified the China commercial
treaty, which provides for two open
ports in Manchuria.
ChairmanH Hemmenway, of the
house committee on appropriations, i'll
statement compiled under his direc-
ton, gives the total of all supply bills
(subject to slight changes in pending
bills as 1897 500, 1924, to which must
be added $S4, 97l,s2 for interest on
the public debt. The estimated reve-
nues are x7O4, 742 900. BY these fig
ures the expenses are $22, 900, 600 less
than the revenues.
Few Public Bills.
While total of over l 400 bills be-
came laws during the sessions, less
than $50 Of them We're public bills,
and of this latter number one-half
simply authorized the bridging of riv-
ers, the damming of streams, the reg.
ulation of federal courts and the ordi-
nances of the District of Columbia.
Several amendments have been made
to facilitate the administration of the
public land laws.
A joint resolution was enacted pro-
viding for the transportation aboard a
government vessel of not exceeding 800
of the public school teachers of Porto
Rico to the United States during the
coming summer, for the purpose of
broadening their views by travel and
a course in the summer schools Of
teac hers in this country.
Provisions were made for the exten-
sion of the coastwise shipping laws of
the United States to the Philippines
after July l, 1904.
1t was made crime to 'crimp'
seamen of the United States by solicit
ing them as dodgers or charging a fee
for shipping them.
The house, by independent action,
directed an investigation of the alleged
"beef trust by the department of
commerce and labor.
The extension of the east front of
the capitol building was provided for,
and provision was made for an Office
building for senators to corresI ond
with the proposed Office building for
members of the house of representa-
tives. These buildings are to cost in
the neighborhood of 1000, 900 each.
The creation Of two additional states
in the Union was provided for in bill
which passed the house, but not the
senate. Oklahoma and Indian Terri
tory were united as Oklahoma; Ari-
iona and New Mexico as Arizona
Labor Legislation Deferred.
Legislation directly affecting the la
Dor interests of the country received
consideration in the two houses, but
final action was not taken. The eight
hour bill was referred to the depart
ment of commerce and labor for in
vestigation and report and the anti
injunction bill was postponed by the
committees until the next session.
In the senate the confirmatin of Gen
eral Leonard Wood was accomplished
after much inquiry and objection
The right of Senator Reed Smoot. of
Utah, to his seat in the senate resulted
in an investigation still in progress,
involving the Mormon religion and
practices.
In the house much business has been
transacted. At no time has there been
delay caused by desire to filibuste,'
on the part of the minority, but there
has been considerable debate and many
campaign speeches have been deliver
ed In the house there were 5,69S
bills, 349 resolutions and 152 Joint
resolutions and 81 concurrent resolu.
tons introduced. OF these 2. 256 We're
passed.
In the senate there We're Is, 324 bills
introduced
Lumber Prices Cut.
Tacoma. April 25.-Tacoma saw