The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1906-04-13
TALK Of TARIFF REVISION
Secretary Bonaparte is Hav-
ing Many Troubles.
COMING HAGUE CONFERENCE
Russia Wants Understanding-Pro-
bable Solution of Rate Bill.
WEEKLY LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.

The Hepburn bill with a Mlld
court review amendment looks like
the solution most likely to be pro-
posed by the Senate in the rate dis
cussion now going forward. 1t has
been said at various times that the
Hepburn bill was going to make en-
tire shipwreck IN the Senate and at
other times that 1t would pass abso-.
iutely without amendment. But
neither proposition is likely. There
is going to be more talking, probably
three weeks of it. But when the
opponents OF rate control and It's
friends get their forces arranged as
well as they can, speechmaking will
stop abruptly and the voting will be
very small matter.
After thorough canvass of the
situation, the Massachusetts, Repub-
licans decided there was not strength
enough in the tariff revision move
ment to warrant trying to force its
consideration at this session. There
fore the original plan for bringing up
the tariff question at the House eau
Gus has been abandoned. 1t Is un-
derstood, however, that satisfactory
compromise will be reached through
a proposal of Mr.. Davidson of Wis
consin. That is that the Committee
on Ways and Means shall hold a
series of hearings through the sum-
mer aud collect all the data possible
from those interests anxious for tar
iff revision.
1t is understood that Secretary
Bonaparte is having troubles enough
TO last all summer. The passage ol
graduated hazing bill will put 1t VI
to him to meet out punishment tt
any midshipmen found guilty ol
hazinr. This will subject him te
more pressure IN many ways than
Secretary of the Navy has often suf-
fered. Some Of the old cases he still
will have to deal with under the ole
law where no distinction was made
between the different classes of haz
ing and whete the punishment wa
arbitrary dismissal. This will leav
him the unpleasant alternative o
dropping or dismissing number o
men. But ia the future with a NOR
rational punishment law to back hin
and one that will not defeat itself b
it's own severity, it is likely that tn
Secretary will be able to stamp GU
the Objectionable practice from tn
Academy almost altogether.
Russia has come to the front wit
some more proposals for the comm
Hague Conference. The plan wa
originally that of the President bu
when the Portsmouth Conferent
ended happily, this country was gla
enough to leave the further initiati'
to Russia and she is now making tt
final arrangements, notifying II
State Department. of the progress
negotiations with the other powe
interested. Russia has, 1t Is said
the Depar tment, mapped out a pr
gram that follows closely on the pla
OF the Car at the original meetin
She, wants to have the rights of ne
tral property clearly defined al
some definite understanding in inte
national law as 10 the formalltles {
tween the rupture of diplomatic r
latious and the actual outbreak
hostilities. She has never admit
that Japan was right in her attac
on the Russian fleet at Port Arth
and Chemulpo prior to the decl'
alton of war and she wants this poi
settled by international agreement