The Cairo bulletin., 1904-12-03


doubt Is expressed about any effective
legislation being passed. Following
campaign in which the trusts were
made vital issue it is natural to ex.
pect that there must be a great deal
of talk on the subject whenever there
is an opportunity.
Interstate commerce legislation in
some form or another is always pend
ing In congress and there may he an
effort 10 enlarge the power: of The In
terstate Commerce Commission so as
TO allow it 10 fix rates. Railroad in
terests have and win continue to op-
pose this measure Another pending
measure is to permit pooling and his
is oppoEed by the shippers With so
much contention there is little pros
/ peet that anything will he done. A
bill to amend the law for the safety
of employees of railroads has been re,
ported and II is expected that ii will
pass.
An Eight Hour Day
A bill which has ag,tatei congress
for a number of years providing for
eight hours work only, on all govern
ment contracts. no doubt will oe re-
ported from the senate committee on
labor which has given much time
to hearings. A bill of similar char
acter was lost in the las congress by
being crowded out by other business
me same fate may await this meas.
ure should il be reported from the
committee.
Senator Hepburn. Of Idaho, has
given notice that ne win call up the
pure food bin during the first week
of the session and the friends of the
measure hope to have 1t passed Blu
there is sJrong oppo ition which will
take advantage of the senate rules
10 attempt to defeat the measure by
delay
Army Camp Sites.
A measure which created a great
deal of interest in the last session and
which no doubt viii cause consider
ablc discussion if II comes up again,
Is a bill providing for several large
camp sites in different sections Of the
country, for the use Of the regular
army and militia for drill purposes.
The localities most likely o get the
sites il the bill becomes law are en-.
ergetically pushing it to the front
while disappointed rivals are oppos-
ing it,
Senator Fairbanks who has only
three months to serve as a senator
before he becomes vice president.
ana who is chairman Of the commit
tee on public buildings and grounds,
has endeavored 10 secure 4 bin pro-
yldng a building for the departments
Of state, justice and commerce and
labor, will try 70 bring about favor
able action on the bill in the ninety
lays he is to ramain a national leg
islator. There are other public build |
ing bills pending, but it is not ex
pected any general omnibus bin will
be pushed at this session.
Land lrrigzton.
Irrigation has become a permanent
legislative topic. interviewer closely
with. the public land question 1t has
resulted in setting two house com.
mittees by the ears and creating
wide difference CT opinion among
senator's from western states Sew
eral measures intended as amend
ments to the irrigation law have been
suggested and are before congress. If
the western men were united they no
doubt could secure some Legislation,
but being divided it Is quite likely
that nothing will be done.
River and Harhor Bill.
Two years ago in the long session |
of congress a river and harbor appro |
priations bill was passed. but it was
omitted in the session which ended |
last April 1t is he intention 10 pass |
a bill at this session and the men
having it in charge remembering
that four years ago Senator Carter Of |
Montana talked river and harbor
bill TO death, will make every effort |
to have it presented early and gotten |
out of the way Of another such con.
A number of bills for Alaska have /
come over from the last session, the |
most important being those providing
for a delegate from the territory ana /
for governmental aid in building (
roads Both met with serious oppo-i |
ton last session and there is no in |
that there has been a change |
OF sentiIr ent during the recess.
Bills 10 reorganize the consular ser
vice have been reported 20 both 1
houses but so far they have not been |
popular enough to secure a majority 1
vote in either body
Panama Canal.
Il s not yet known whether there |
will be any legis alton relating to the !
Panama Canal although it may be
when Secretary Tar |
makes a report Of his personal inyes