Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-01-13
From Washington.
Correspondence of the Alexandria GSzet'e.'
Washington, d. c., Jan. 10.

washington, ~. ", Jah' ~
Chairman Elkins, of the Senate COM
mittee on interstate commerce, TO-DAY
announced to his committee that hear.
ings would be held on the question OF
railroad rates, but that nothing would
be done in this direction until after the
House committee had concluded It's IN
ouiry. This indicates that there IS no
expectation of passing any legislation
on this subject at the present session.
II. r. Fuller, representing the engi-
neerS, fremens, and conductors assocl-
ations, appeared before the committee
this morning, TO oppose in the inter-
ests of the safety of the employees, the
bill which proposes to relieve the narrow
gauge railroads from the necessity OF
eauipping their cars with automatic
brakes.
In the continuation of the hearing on
the Quarlss. Cooper bill before the
House committee on interstate and
foreign commerce, this morning, Sam
usl Spencer, President Of the Southern
Railway Company, made the statement
that it would be an irrevocable bard
shin on the railroads if such remedial
legislation az new contemplated does not
impower the Interstate Commerce Com
mission to fix a minimum as well as a
m iximum rate. 1.-The legislation will
be welcomed by the railroads" he
aid, eff while protecting the shipper.
also protects the carrier, which IS
necessary both from economic and
equitable view points" Mr.. spencer's
most important suggestion was that The
law should contain permission to the
railroads to enter into reasonable agree
ments among themselves. He also said,
81 believe | speak for 10 per cent OF the
railroads, when say that no law can be
too drastic which will prevent giving
secret rebates"
At this mornings session of the
Smoot hearing Judge j. w. n. White
cotton resumed his history of the rise
and development of political parties in
Utah. He described the liberal party
organized by the gentiles and the part
it took in politics up to the time when
Utah was admitted as State. The
witness gave as illustration Of the i'm
proyement in conditions in Utah since
the manifesto in 1890 that whereas,
prior to that date there were 100 prose
cutions a year at Provo for unlawful
Capitalization there we're now not more
than II. In answer to a question wit
ness said. 81 think the general senti-
ment of the Mormon church is decidedly
hostile to plural marriages" He also
said that the Mormons on the other
hand objected to what they considered
interference with their affairs The
women went int polygamy from
cause of religious duty. A plural wife,
if divorced from her husband, may not
remarry. So, for the sake of her chill
dren, she lets things slide along. Sym
patty is all with these women.
The Comptroller of the Currency this
morning issued statement calling for
the condition of National Banks at the
close of business January |.
Just what Postmaster General Wynne
transfer of the division of inspector from
Fouth Assistant Postmaster General
Bristow's bureau to the immediate super
vision of the head of the department
made yesterday, will effect, is a subject
of interest to postal officials here and
lhoroughout the country. During the
past two years, if the Postmaster General
wanted an inquiry made in any branch
of the service, he was obliged to request
Mr.. Bristow to have the chief inspector
place men on the JOB. Thus co-ordi-
nate bureau acquired knowledge of the
step taken. Under the present arrange
ment, the Postmaster General can 60
ahead without making his action known
to bureau chief.
Mr. RiKey yesterday introduced bill
to increase the pension of Nathan G.
Bradley, Of Alexandria county, late of
Company X, Hath New York Infantry,
to fifty dollars per month
The official vote of the electors OF Vir-
ginia was delivered to the president of
the Senate yesterday by Mr.. J. G. Han
kins, the messenger chosen by the
electors when they met in Richmond on
Monday. There were no formalities.
connected with the task.