Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-01-06
DISCUSS coTroN STATISTICS.
Accuracy Of Government Figures De
bated in the House.

Accuracy of Government Figures De-
bated in the House.
Washington, Jan. 6.-The govern
ment's cotton statistics as prepared by
the agricultural department and cen-
sus bureau, formed the subject Of an
extended discussion in the house yes
terday. Representative Livingston Of
Georgia attacked the reliability of the
governments estimates, and charged
that the inaccuracy of the figures had
created panic in the cotton market
He called attention to the dissatisfac-
ton which he said existed in the south
over the government cotton statistics
and said that the press Of that section
was ready to demand the abolition of
the statistical bureau of the agricultur-
al department. The question came up
on a motion of Mr.. Wadsworth, chair
man Of the committee on agriculture
to lay on the table the resolution pre-
scented to Mr.. Livingston several weeks
ago, calling on the secretary of agricul-
ture for information regarding the
method Of collecting cotton statistics.
The motion to lay on the table pre-
vailed, after Mr.. Burleson Of Texas.
Wadsworth of New York, Lowering, of
Massachusetts and Sims Of Tennes-
see had vigorously defended the gov
ernment's estimates.
The bill to improve currency condi-
lions was further discussed, but adj
journment was taken without final ac-
ton on it.
A resolution introduced yesterday by
NcNarry of Massachu-
sets asks the president to inform the
house If it has been the practice of the
lsthmlan canal commission to purchase
In foreign countries materials obtain
able In the United States for the con-
struction OF the canal and the reasons
therefor; also whether the commission
employs foreign vessels for conveying
materials to the isthmus.
The secretary of the interior yester-
iay transmitted to the house a report
81 the disbursements of moneys re-
ee1ved from the sale of public lands for
me endowment of colleges of agricul-
lure and mechanical arts. Accom-
the report is a list, including
every state and territory, entitled to
receive the sixteenth installment of
$4,000 for the benefit of such schools.
secretary Taft has forwarded to the
house the draft Of a resolution author
Eng the president to cause medals to
De struck and presented to the officers
ma soldiers and others who served in
he Spanish war, China relief expedi-
ION and Philippine instructions.
For Wagon Road in Alaska.
The secretary Of war, yesterday
fn /
Try report Of surveys for wagon
Dad from Valdez to Fort Egbert on the
Yukon river, Alaska. 1t is estimated
he road will cost about $500 a mile.
making total cost of about 81, sos. 900.
Another report made shows that a
military trail between the Yukon river
md Coldfoot, Alaska, would cost $40 a |
nile thru timber country and $50 a
nile over barren land, or a total cost
f $4,000 for the trail.
The house committee on merchant
marine and fisheries yesterday decided
o take up the question of regulations
or the steamboat service Several
ills have been introduced providing
or stringent rules and closer inspec-
ions as an outgrowth of the Slocum
i'e'91ei. - 10 S>PSStSu tiifll SECRETARY
Ietcalf of the department of COM
lerce and labor will appear before the
ONE time next week.
The sub committee of the house COM
,ittee on postoffices and post roads
as unanimously agreed to report adj
ersely proposition to change the
lw so as to permit the extension Of the
neumatic tube service in cities other
IAN those where it has been contract
i for and to allow the making of con-
acts for ten years instead of five.