Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-02-16
BREWERS ALARMED. New Anti Beer Bill
 is Presented. Congressman Sperry Be- sieged With Petitions
 The Facts About the
 Seed That Louis A. Fisk of Branford Received.
Especial to Democrat.)

Washington, Feb 16.--A few days ago 1t was announced in some of the Connecticut papers that the Hon Louis A. FISK of Branford had secured from tue department of agriculture a lot of seeds to De distributed among the farmers that exhibit at his annual fair in Branford. The impression conveyed oy the article was that the depart ment of agriculture of Washington was going to donate to MT Fisk enough seeds to supply his farmer friends and that this distribution was to be only to those who exhibited at the Branford fair. This is all erroneous, and entire ly untrue.
 When shown the article in question, MT Galloway, the chief of the bureau of plant industry, in very strong lan- guage condemned the article as abso- lutely false. The names he called the correspondent would not look we'll in print. "Such an article as that,'' he said, docs great harm to our depart ment. It makes enemies for the de- partment of agriculture, and 1t costs Us thousands of dollars to deny. Then, too, 1t is almost impossible for us to convince people that it is not true. The department is not in the business
 
 can readily see where it would land us We would have applications from all over the country. The only seeds we have are distributed by senators and representatives. As a matter of fact MT FISK was here with Congressman LllleyS secretary. He did make re- quest such as is referred to in this ar ucle, but l told him the department could not under the law comply with II. The result was that portion of Congressman Lilley's seeds were as- signed to MT Fisk, just as any con gressman has right to do if he chooses That is all there is to this whole matter, and I wish you would deny the article as strongly as you can. By so doing you will confer a laVof upon the department and set us f1ght before the public''
 Against the Transportation of Raer
 Congressman Sperry to-day present ed in the house several very Iarpa ne titlons from Meriden and Middletown m favor Of the bill to forbid the inter- state traffic in beer and spirituous !lquors. The petitions contained near " 1o0 names, mostly of clergymen and temperance societies. The bill in question is before the Judiciary com m1ttee of the house and hearings will De held on 1t March ?. 3 and 4. The brewers claim that 1t would almost XII their business and they are fight ing it for all they are worth.
 The bill was introduced by Congress man Hepburn at the request of Rev w. F. Crafts, Che superintendent of the International Reform bureau, who does considerable lobbying on all tenn perance questions Rev MT Crafts is 9 graduate of Wesleyan university of Mfddletown, and for time was pastor Of church in New Haven. The hear ings will probably be very strenuous as both sides are exceedingly bitter; and have clashed before.
 Congressman Hill today introduced in the house bill for the relief of the heirs of Jenkins & Ravens. The bill authorizes the secretary of the treas ury to pay lo these heirs the sum of $1, 433.32, the same being due the said Jenkins & Hayens, as agents Of the brig Warrior, since the middle of July, 1915. Mrs Franklin F. Lee of Stam- ford is one of the beneficiaries and it was at her request MT Hill presented the bill.
 MT Hill also presented bill for the ! relief of Lydia T. Hadlock, as admins trator of E. c. Paddock. This bill pro- ! vides that the case be referred to the l court of claims for a hearing as to a claim for lumber taken at or near Pa latka, Fla, in the year 1862 and used by the United States troops. The bill was introduced at the request of Mrs Mary Buckley of Southport, who is one of the heirs.
 Spanish War Claims.
 Hon Andrew K. dates, state tax 1 commissioner, Adjutant General George M Cole and Assistant Quarter master-General Henry c. Morgan are l in Washington in relation to the claim l of the state for clothing and other sup plies furnished the state troops during ! the Spanish-American war. The three state officials had a conference with l the treasury officials this morning and l the accounts were gone over carefully Some of the original items have beer disallowed, but an arnicable settlement ! of the claim will probably be arrived ] at in the near future.
 ! Connecticut Visitors.
 Among the visitors at the capita are Frederick DePeyster and Mir ant l Mrs Judson B. Brainerd of Portland MT DePeyster came down to Baltimore in the interest of the quarry compan
 ies of Portland, and hopes to secure several contracts for Connection brownstone as soon as building opera Itions commence in the burned city IMr and Mrs Brainerd will spend sev