Free press., 1906-03-24

fate of Oklahoma and Indian Terri
tory. but the speaker and his lieuten-
ants are making it a question Of party
loyalty with members to stand by the
organization in the fight, and are pro-
ceeding with their program with
slight regard for the general interests
manifested
1t has been decided to bring the bill
into the house Wednesday, March 21.
Mr.. Hamilton, chairman of the com
mittee on territories, which framed
the house bill. will ask unanimous
consent to send the bill to conference
without instructions. One of the lead
ers of the minority is expected to
make a motion in the nature of a sub
stitute to send the bill to conference
with instructions to concur in the
Burrows amendment, which elimin-
ates Arizona and New Mexico, and to
non-concur in the minor amendments
to the sections relating to Oklahoma
and Indian Territory.
This is expected to bring on the
test vote. However, the program OF
the house leaders is that, if there is
objection TO the motion for unanimous
consent, the bill will be sent to the
committee on territories.
Saturday, March II.
Washington.-The railroad rate bill
reached the controversial stage in the
senate. The question came up in the
regular order of business. Mr.. Rayner
was the chief speaker of the day and
the debate that took place was pro-
voked by some of his utterances-
Among the senators who were arous-
ed by him were Messrs. Foraker,
Lodge and Dolliver.
Both the Ohio senator and the
Massachusetts senator took excep-
tions to Mr.. Rayner's contention that
the railroads have interfered in the
framing of the bill and Mr.. Foraker
also expressed himself as dissatisfied
with the intimation that the railroads
are represented on the floor of the
! senate
| The house committee on territories
| is practically agreed that Hawaii shall
be granted money for public improve
]
use rs per cent of it's revenue for
twenty years in such improvements
with the plea for amendments and
| went so far as to say that the help OF
such friends as Mr.. Rayner could very
we'll be dispensed with. Other senat
ors who participated in the debates
were Messrs. Aldrich, Tillman and
| Knox
Mr. Knox freely expressed his
opinion that the bill would be uncon
stitutional without provision for re
view of the commissions findings by
the court Mr.. TiIlman reiterated his
objection to the bill, and indulged in
some characteristic phrases in stat
ing his position, concluding with the
remark that he believed that the bill
could be so amended as to make il
acceptable. The argument of Mr. Ray
ner was Greeted in favor of the gen
eral proposition that congress has the
right to fix rates, but that the bill
should be so amended as to disperse
with the provision. He also advocated
other amendments.
l The house committee on public
lands decided to report favorably or
a resolution extending from June Il
to August 10 the time for opening The
Wind river and Shoshone reserYa
tons in Wyoming.
The committee also agreed to ia
vorable report on a bill forfeiting the
rights of way granted by government
to railway companies who have no
constructed projected lines within five
years after the grant was made.
At the beginning of its session the
senate passed a bill authorizing Real
Admiral Charles H. Davis. United
States Navy, to accept gifts rendered
him by the British and Russian gov
ernments.
The senate committee on appropria
tions today completed the fortifica
tions bill and it was reported by Sen
ator Perkins. 1t carried appropria
tions aggregating $5,61S,993, an in
crease of S7S0,0O0 over the amour
appropriated by. the house bill.