Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-02-03
From Washington.

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Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette
The caucus of republican Representa-
tives. to be held in the hall Of the House
after adjournment today, viii busy IT.
self with the question of railroad rate
legislation. Mr.. Grosyenor will preside.
The republicans of the committee on
interstate and foreign commerce have
reached an agreement on the Esch-
Townsend bill, and this measure will be
submitted TO the caucus for ratification.
Although there is not inconsiderable
element which believes that the qnes-'
tons at issue have not been sufficiently
digested TO warrant legislation of SO rad
icaI a character, and that the entire
subject should be referred TO commits
sion for further investigation, the pro-
spects are that the caucus will, by an
overwhelming majority, declare IN favor
of the principles of the committee bill.
Ia order that the rate bill may have
right of way in the House next week,
the committee on rules will be asked to
bring in rule for that purpose. The
most important question which the COM
mittee on rules will have to consider
is that OF permitting amendments TO the
committee bill. If the doors are thrown
wide open on the subject, it IS feared
that the democrats may offer legislation
much more radical than that contem-
platedlby the Esch-Townsend bill, and
that they may be able to get it through
the House with the aid of republican
votes. The action OF the caucus today
will determine that of the committee On
rules in this regard.
DIR. l.. Scharf who attained con-
siderable notoriety few days ago at
the meeting of the Senate subcommittee
on Indian affairs when Senator Bard
accused him OF, approaching him with
an offer of the Catholic support in ex-
change for Indian schools funds issued
statement to-day attacking the Cali
fornia Senator and jastifying his Own
actions in the matter.
Father Ketcham, head of the Indian
Educational Bureau, Of the Catholic
Church appeared before the Senate
committee On Indian affairs this morn
ing in refutation of the statements
made by Senator Bard, DR.. Scharf, etc.
He said that there was nothing illegal
in the use of Indian trust funds towards
the support of the Catholic Indian
schools, and in support of that statement,
he produced written opinion given by
Attorney General Knox, about a year
ago, to the President, stating that those
funds could be legally used for that
purpose.
Andrew b. Davidson, Marine, shot
and killed himself in room at the
Johnson Hotel, this morning. He left
note addressed to his sister Miss ANNA
Davidson at Baltimore.
1t is now admitted at TIE State Department
that the original protocol with San Domingo
providing for the taking over by this country
of the customs receipts and the guarantee OF
the United States Of its territorial integrity
was without any reference TO the Senate or
its advice and consent. The department,
however, claims that this original draft was
rejected by it, At the same time this draft
was the one agreed upon by the representa-
tiyes of the two countries and the rejection
went no further than the form of amendment
which il is believed has now been accepted by
San Domingo although the department
claims 10 be without actual knowl-
edge on the subject Minister Dawson
is the man who, according to department Of
fcials. is 10 be credited with the praise or
condemnation of the protocol and should the
Senate proceed under the resolution OF inquiry
introduced some time ago by Senator Morgan
and fall heavily upon the executive Mr.. Daw'
son Ho doubt would become the scapegoat.
The House committee ON the Judiciary to-
day. by a vote Of to 9, authorized favor
able report on the Clayton bill to repeal the
United States bankruptcy act. The repeal
was favored BY democrats and 2 republic
cans. Six republicans opposed it. Mr.. clay.
ton saws the necessity for the repeal is found
in the short comngs of the law aud the nu-
merous complaints made against it.
The Interstate Commerce Commission To-
day formally announced its opinion in the
Santa Fe rebate case, holding that the COM
pany for the last five years has wilfully and
continuously violated" the provisions of the
law which requires carriers 20 publish and
adhere TO their tariffs. The greatest interest
attaches 10 this finding because of the connec-
ton with the Santa Fe as its vice president
and traffic chief the present Secretary ofthee
Navy Morton during the time of the reported
violation of the law by the road. Secretary
Morton's name, of course, however, is not
mentioned in Mr. Prouty's opinion. The en-.
tire matter has been placed in the hands OF
the Attorney General for such action as be
may deem proper under the Law.