Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-02-18
AT THE CAPT. 0L.
Connecticut River Bridge Discussion
 -Ths Philippine Tari6.

From Our Special Correspondent)
 Washington, Feb 1S.-SeverHl con ferences were held yesterday after, noon and this morning relative to the bill for the Connecticut river bridge between the various parties interested The original bill introduced by MT Henry, at the suggestion of Lewis Sperry. was amended 50 as to conform with the ideas of the committee on in. terstate commerce. AS soon as this was done the measure went to the war department for report, which will be returned to the house by Tues- day.
 The bill which was finally agreed Cpon is as follows: That section one of an act entitled An act to authorize the board of commissioners for the Connecticut bridge and highway dis trict to construct d bridge across the Connecticut river at Hartford, in the state of Connecticut approvGi Febru- ary IS, 1903, be amended so as to read as follows: The board of commis- sioners for the Connecticut river bridge and highway district, body polite and corporate, created by the 'LWS Ol lIlt Stdlc Ul pCs and hereby is. authorized to construct and maintain a drawless bridge across the Connecticut river at Hartford, in the State of Connecticut. between the city of Hartford and the town ot East Hartford"
 The Massachusetts members inter. ested. Mir Lawrence and Mir Gillett, have not as yet declared themselves fully as to whether they will oppose the passage of this bill or not. They feel that they must be governed by the wishes of their constituents. and should there be a protest against the amendment proposed by the commits sion from Springfield. Mir Gillett will be compelled to oppose the bill. In this he would be aided by Mir Law renee Much will depend upon the action of the chief of engineers as to the attitude of the Massachusetts members. and they will not declare themselves until the engineer has made his report.
 In Favor of Clean Money. The Hartford chapter of the Ameri- can Institute of Bank Clerks has sent to the members of the Connecticut del egation resolutions adopted by the so- ciety favoring the Gaines bill, which provides for the redemption of soiled and mutilated paper money. They also urge the Connecticut members to go before the committee on banking and currency to urge the committee to re- rort the bill.
 Last session considerable was heard about this bill, and Mir Gaines secured a great deal of notOriety by urging this bill for clean money. Hearings were held before the committee, but no report was ever made. It is under stood these hearings will soon be pub lished, but the bill will not be report ed this session. The committee is in favor of some bill in the lines sug- gested by Mir Gaines, but this particu. lar bill is too radical and cannot go through.
 Star Route Change.
 The postoftice department has issued orders changing the star route scned- tlle between New Milford and Rox. bury Station., Hereafter the mails will leave Bridgewater daily except Sun days at 7:45 a. m.. arriving at New Milford at S:45 a. m. Mails will leave New Milford at 9:3O a. m.. arriving al Bridgewater by 1O:45, from thence mails will leave for Roxbury Station at 2 p. m., arriving at p. m.
 Philippine Tariff.
 It is now almost definitely settled that there will be no action this ses. sion relative to the reduction of the duty on sugar and tobacco from the Philippine Islands, and the bill whicl, has been considered by the ways and means committee will not get out of the committed. This action has be. come necessary by the decision of the sugar people not to accept com promise measure of % per cent reduc. tiOn.
 Mir Hill. who has been in charge of tine tobacco schedule of the bill in be- half of the Connecticut tobacco grow CTS and cigar makers. had practically secured the consent of the committed to reduction of only 25 per cent oi the present rates. leaving the duty at half of the Dingley rates. This reduc. ton the tobacco people were willing td concede. and in addition to this it was proposed to impose an internal rev. cnue tax on manufactured cigars and tobacco the same as in this country tEus absolutely protecting the cigar industry of this country. It was also proposed to add another amendment which would give the tobacco growers Of the United states a chance 10 send their wrapper tobacco to the islands hut the opposition Of the sugar inter csts killed the whole matter.
 Ii is intimatcd that the war depart mcnt officials arc satisfied to have the bill % over until the next session when they expect to urge absolute free trade with tine islands. just as is the ease with Porto Rico. With the large number of new members that will come in with the next house. the de pertinent is in hopes that they will secure such action as they want for the benefit of the islands.