Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-15
IN THE COMMITTEES.
Amendment Adopted to the Panama
Canal Treaty.

The Senate committee on foreign rela-
tons today adopted an amendment to the
Panama canal treaty. giving to the United
States partial jurisdiction over the har-
bors OF Colon and Panama In order to pro-
tect the shipping interests of this coun-
try. Under the treaty the harbors are not
included in the grant to this government
and the question has been raised that the
republic of Panama has the power to adopt
regulations which might interfere with the
free operation of the shipping of the world
The amendment Is in the nature of a safe
guard, and, 1t Is believed, will not meet
with any opposition from the republic of
Panama. The republican members of the
committee are inclined to favor few minor
amendments to the treaty. II only for the
purpose of bringing about ratifcatio of
the convention by the constitutional con-
vention of the new republic. and thus meet
and dispose of one of the vigorously fought
contentious of the democrats, that the
treaty had not been ratified by O tangible
form of government.
The amendment adopted by the commit
tee provides that the United States shall
have the right to dredge and improve the
harbors at Panama and Colon, and that
this government shall have control Of the
harbOrs for this purpose and for making
them suitable for all conditions of COM
merce. 1t is stated that further informa-
tioE concerning the conditions at Panama
the amendment unnecessary.
The Urgent Deficiency Bill.
The urgent deficiency bill Is now under
consideration by the subcommittee of the
House committee on appropria tons having
the matter in charge. A number of gov
eminent officials were heard today on the
various deficiency items offered by them
through the Secretary of the Treasury
1t Is believed that the hearings on the
District of Columbia appropriation bill
will begin next week before Representative
McCleary's subcommittee.
Postal Appropriation Bill.
Mr.. Madden. the third assistant post
| master general, was before the House COM
mittee on post offices and post roads this
morning. The committee Is engaged in
| framing the postal appropriation bill and
Mr.. Madden's presence was in connection
with the offices under his direction.
Hepburn Bill Reported.
The House committee on interstate and
| foreign commerce today ordered a favor
able report the Hepburn bill extending
the laws prohibiting interstate transporta-
ton OF obscene literature to such literature
when imported into the United States from
abroad.
The Anti-Injunction Bill.
Inc House committee on judiciary today
| fixed February "a. % and &c next as dates
| for hearings on the Grosvenor anti-injunc-
| ton bill. The opponents of the measure
| will be heard first.
Improvement of the Harlem.
/ The necessity for the improvement of the
Harlem river by widening the channel and
| creating a channel through the Bronx kills
was presented to the House committee on
| rivers and harbors today by large dele
| cation representing the city Of New York
/ officially and commercially The improve
| ments are estimated to cost 81 800 900 Cor
| the Harlem river and &2.50OO00 for the
4 Bronx kills. Representatives Goulden and
1 Shober. James l.. Wells. State Senator
/ Hawkins and H. D. Dumont representing
| the Merchants Association, were heard
Hearing on Tawney Bill.
| The subcommittee of the House ways and
means committee concluded the hearings
today on the Tawney anti-fag bill, relating
to packages OF tobacco. r. @. Hamilton,
representins the Bland Tobacco Company
OF Petersburg. Va, 6ppossd the msasure
~ against the interests Of his firm. Rem
rsssatAttvss DAsFIsv Of Kentuony and Do.