Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-02-25
CAPITAL CHAT.
Washington Preparing
for the Inauguration.
Senator Haie's Effective Work
Expediting Legislation.
Members susily Engaged During Clos
ing Days of Session.

Washington. d. C.. Feb. 2i.-tSre-
Ciai) Ex-senator Frye is not allowing
any grass to grow under his feet in
getting that river and harbor approrrl-
alton bill through the Senate. When
his committee on commerce was called
together this week TO consider that bill.
Immediately after it had passed the
House they found big volume all
prepared and printed in the shape Of a
report on the various projects through
out the country that are covered in the
House bill. This WAS accomplished BY
The Senator's foresight in having this
report prepared in advance 50 that it
could be fired right into the Senate al
most on Il moments notice.
And as time is now very short and
s;rnator Hale as the floor leader of the
Senate. is holding everybody strictly
up 10 business and to the prompt dis
pnsal thereof. this plan by Mr.. Frye
was all !mpo:tant. Mr.. Frye has Il
GOOD record for eXpeditiGg legislation
III the Senate. Notwithstanding the pro-
Clivities to extended debate there and
ne Will not fail on the river and har-
Dor bill if it can possibly be avoided.
Senator Halas efforts. as leader, to
have the business cleared up early and
out of the way are meeting with gen.
cral communication. He started sew
eral days ago by soaring the chairmen
20 unusual activity. Mr.. Hale assured
them that the biggest blockade of bus
mess for many years was confronting
the Senate. That was true. because of
the confiscation of time by the Swayne
Impeachment case. Mr.. Hale followed
up his timely warnings by proddng the
attnOrneys on both sides of the Swayne
case and making them hasten with
their long drawn out examination of
witnesses. And 50, while he coEceaIS
his satisfaction at the progress the
Senate is making during the last few
days, because he can not afford to al
low any tagging at this time. the pros
poets are good that Congress will have
its decks all cleared well in advance of
the inaugural hour.
This week Mr.. Hale has been work
ing to get just rs many Of the appro-
priation bills as possible through the
Senate. 50 that the cOnferees could be
appointed and all of next week be left
for the inevitable wrangling between
the two Houses over disputed points
He hurried his naval appropriation
bill. one of the measures that usually
proves troublesome. and got it through
the Senate and into conference in rec
ord breaking time. One reason for
Mr. hale's expedition with that and
rther appropriation bills with which he
has had to do. mas been the preparation,
he has made in advance of the receipt
of these bills from the House
When the Senate committee on in
terState commerce begins the consider
alton and the preparation of railroad
tate bill next April. as it is now
planned to do, Senator Elkins. the
chairman. wants to hear President Luz
cius futile Of the Boston and Maine
and Maine Central roads. In his Office
acre, today. Mr.. Elkins said Mr. futile
was one OF the few railroad officials ho
was especially DESTROYS Of hearing tes-
tfE. Mr.. futile, a practical railroad
man and student Of railroad problems
for the last twenty-five years has re-
Gently analyZcd various Statements
made with reference to rate regulation
The committee will go into both sides
81 IN" raill DAD rate question very tho--
oughly and will also want to be in
formed about the New England situ,
ton.
Vice President-elect Fairbanks K
getting ready t. move into his room AZ
the Capitol. that is row occupied nv
Senator Frye. NJ. Fai! banks will
forthwith appoint his own secretary
and messenger, VINO Will displace the
employees senator Frye has 1t is n
custom long established that retiring
vice President may remove from the
vice Presidents room any of the chairs
Or desks that Ee cares to keep as me-
mcntocs. M Frye will mdoubtedly
reserve some If these souvenirs. al
though not to the extent Of strip-
ping the place Of its furniture or fur.
nishiEgs.
Representative Bu"leiGh has been
making a general round .; the Depart
merits this week an Will continue i;
next week. so as to wind up all the
business of constituents in the th;r.,
district. before lie leaves for the North
soon after the Adjournment of Con-
gress. 1t has been Very busy week
for all the Maine members of tn,
House and next week will hardly be
any exception There are many mat
tiers the members Of the delegation will
want to DISPOSE Of. prior to leaving
town. as they 10 not return to Wash
ington as a rule during the long sum-
mer.
A stranger who foo'S il around the
streets Of Washington City today
might easily believe that the city was
prtraring for worlds fair, or some
other permanent festirity. Out in
front of the capitol az army Of carpen-
ters i busy from dawn til dark con
structing the stand upon which Presi-
dent Roosevelt will take the oath of
Office on the Ah Of March, and all
along the line Of march reviewing
stands a re beng built to accommodate
Continued on Page seven.)
o,,;. the Use Of Whiskey
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