Omaha daily bee., 1905-12-07
Both Republicans and Democrats ss1
statemsnt Lacks Completeness.
HEPBURN SAYS IT'S TOO DEEP FOR HOUsI
Csngrsssmen Cannot Be Expected TO Un-
dsrstand Figures Of Engineers.
BouaKE COCHRAN TAXES ISSUE WITH HIN
new York says II Il Duty of Leg
isIators 70 scrutinise ADDropriH-
tions and Quotes from
President's Message.

WASHINGTON, Dec 6.--;with an oppor-
tunity for unlimited debate on the subject
Of tho Panama canal, the house exhausted
its oratory on that subject In session Oh
four and three-quarters hours today. The
bill approprianng s16.5OOOOO for canal work.
which was the subject of discussion, Will
be read for amendment and placed on its
final passage tomorrow. The feature of the
debate was the criticism INDUCED In by
both republicans and democrats regarding
the incompleteness of the statement of ex-
penditures and estimates furnished by the
canal commission. Mr.. Hepburn, in charge
OF tine bill, made some effort to show that
while detailed estimates might be more
satisfactory, at the same time members of
the house were not in a position TO pass
critical judgments on estimates for such
work offered by expert engineers who held
responsible positions and had been selected
entirely because Of their fitness.
Bourke Cochran of New York took de-
cided exception to this attitude on the part |
OF Mr.. Hepburn, applied 1t as affecting all
matters of appropriation and arraigned IL
as decidedly the wrong attitude of legisla-
tors To enforce his argument he read the
sentiment Of the president in his message |
for economy and scrutiny Of appropriations |
The so-calIed press agent of the canal
commission was criticised by several speak
ers and lack of definite information as TO |
the existence of such position was shown |
The place was declared TO carry salary OF
$4,000 a year and some curiosity was mani !
Z Tested to know what were its duties.
Many Resol utiOns in senate.
The senate began business in earnest
today The session was OF only little
more than two hours duration, but In that
time several hundred bills and resolutions
10 aY,.ff-
tees. There were resolutions dealing with
the question of the national regulation of
insurance companies, the Incorporation of
interstate railroad companies and the con-
tributlon OF funds to political parties by
national banks. Mr.. Foraker presented his
railroad rate regulation bill; Mr.. Gallinger
his merchant marine subsidy bill; Mr..
= Lodge q bill providing for maximum and
minimum tarit FATE schedule in the interest
OF reciprocity. and Mr.. Culberson bill
u making It a penal oftense to misuse the
money of insurance companies The nearest
approach to controversy arose over
resolution presented by Mr.. Newlands,
directing the Interstate Commerce COM
mission to draw up a national Incorporation
act for railroads.
Mr. spooner criticised the proceeding as
unworthy of the senate. Objection was
made to consideration of a resolution made
by Mr. Tillman for investigation of the
subject OF national bank contributions for
campaign purposes, and the resolution went
over for q day.
Important Bills offered.
Senator Hepburn today introduced a reso-
luton providing for the annexation Of San
Domingo and Hayt TO the United States
Senator Dolllver today reintroduced the
Dolliver-Hepburn bill relating to interstate
Y rafhc in louors
The merchant marine commission bill
was today introduced by Senator Gallinger
He also presented the final report of that
committee.
The pure food bill was introduced today
by Senator Hepburn.
Senator Scott introduced bills providing
for service pensions and for the issuance
OF bonds for the erection of public buildings
in towns OF 5000 population and more.
bill prohibiting the use of the money
of insurance companies in federal elections
IA was introduced today by Senator Culber-
L son. The offense is made felony and
punishment is fixed ut from two to twenty
years Imprisonment.
Senator Foraker today introduced his
railroad rate legislation BILL which he had
heretofore presented to the senate CON-
mIttee on interstate commerce.
Senator Bulkely today introduced bill
granting a pension of 500 month to the
widow of tho late Senator Hawley.
Senator Fulton presented bills today for q
United States district court in China ant
prohibiting aliens from fishing In Alaskan
waters. He also presented a bill to pro
hibit the msbranding OF salmon.
Representative McNarry of Massachu
sets has introduced a bill providing FOL
the transfer of the frigate Constitution Il
Castle island, Boston harbor. for use as I
naval museum.
Senator Lodge today introduced al
amendment to the pingley tariff law pro
Ntding for maximum and minimum rate
OF duty so as to give preference and ad
vantage to the products of those countrie
which do not discriminate against product
of the United States, II provides In spe
eihc terms for the levying of excess dutie
against countries which do not admit tn
goods OF the United States on terms equa
to those granted other countries
Bill for Parcels Post.
Bills continue to be introduced in IN
house in large numbers Among those In
trodueed today were the following:
BY Representative Henry-To combin
third and fourth class mail matter undc
the title OF merchandise; limiting weight I
parcels % eleven pounds and the rate TO !
] cent Tor less than three ounces and IN
ereases 20 % cents for parcels OF the max
mum weight
BY Representative Lacey of Iowa-For I'll
entry OF strictly agricultural lands in fore,
reserves under the homestead law
II BY Representative GrosVenor Of Ohio
NJ Providing that all oleomargarine and rem,
waited butter and cheese not made Of pul
and unadulterated mink and cream shall I
subject 20 the laws OF the state into whi.
~ IS shipped for consumption. The bill pr
Vtdes that any person who mixes with ole,
margarine anything giving IL the semblan,
Of butter and who sells the product shall
regarded a manufacturer OF oleOmn
garlne and subject 10 the tax imposed ups
manufacturers OF oleomsrgarine. The ole
margarine law Is amended In several pa
tieusrs as regards taxation.
BY representative Hepburn OF IoWa-Ti
. pure food bll.
over one Hundred millions.
Tha annual booh of estin,atas NJ IN. q,