Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-01
RIGHTS OF CONGRESS
Senator Daniel on the Railway
Rate Bill.
REGULATION OF COMMERCE
Resolution Thanking General Porter
Sent to Committee.
CONGRESSIONAL RELIEF BILLS
Disposition Of Appropriations Tx
planned by Nj. Allison-seed
Question In the House.
REGULATION OF COMMERCE
CONGRESSIONAL RELIEF BILLS

Senate Mr.. Flint offered bills for the resto-
ration and repair OF the public buildings At
San Francisco and In other cities thjursd by
the recent earthquake as follows: Al San
Fralcisco-Post ONCE. $4,000: mint. $780,
coo; appraisers warehouse. $4,000; sub
treasury. $4,000 AT Oakland-Post once,
600. At San Jose-Post ONCE, $4O.O00.
A bill authorizing the issuance Of S100. 900
worth of medallions to be sold In connec-
ton with the proposed Pixies Peak me-
mortal exercises to be held at Colorado
Springs. Col. next September. was passed.
The proceeds of the sale are to be devoted
to the erection OF monument to Capt.
Zebulon M. Pike, discoverer Of the peak
bearing his name.
In connection with the railroad rate bill
Mr.. Aldrich raised the point that the agree
ment arrived at yesterday does not preclude
voting on amendments to the bill before
Friday. when under the agreement the con-
sfderation of amendments under the fifteen
minute rule will begin. The consensus of
opinion was however. favorable to the view
that voting must be postponed until Friday.
A bill amending the law relative to lost
checks in the hands of disbursing officers
was passed.
Proposed Thanks to Gen. Porter.
Mr.. Lodge made an effort to secure
unanimous consent for the passage of the
House resolution granting to General Hor-
ace Porter the thanks Of Congress for his
service in recovering the body of John
Paul Jones. but Mr.. Aldrich objected, say
ing that the bill should first be referred to
committee of the Senate.
Mr.. Lodge expressed surprise at the OBJ
lection. saying that the resolution had
passed the House without reference, and
that II the action was to be taken 1t would
be ungenerous to delay the matter by re-
ferrtng 1t to committee.
Mr.. Aldrich replied with some show of
warmth, saying that the honor proposed TO
be conferred was most important one,
IT, he said, Congress Is to recognize all
duties done in the diplomatic service by ex-
tending its thanks, 1 think that such action
should be passed upon by committees, and
shall express my opinion to that effect even
II am to be charged with being ungener-
ous.' He thought that any other course
would cheaper the distinction.
To this Mr.. Bacon replied, advocating
action without reference to committee. He
declared that Mr. Aldrich need be under no
apprehension of the possibility of cheaper
ing the honor Of the thanks of Congress,
but he agreed with Mr.. Lodge that the
honor would be much enhanced by spon-
taneity in comforting it. He contended that
General Porter had not conducted his re-
searches as part of his duties as ambas-
sador to France, but said that 1t was done
at his own personal expense, and as the
impulse of pure patriotism. He had even
declined to accept the refund of the money
expended.
No one could doubt the valuable results
secured and no one should stand In the way
OF a just and proper recognition of the
service-a recognition richly merited. He
expressed the opinion that the proposed ac-
ton should command the support of every
senator.
Mr.. CuIlom expressed the opinion that the
discussion of the question was unfortunate
and said that the resolution should be either
promptly acted upon or promptly referred.
Mr.. Lodge said that it never had occurred
to him that there would be the slightest
objection to immediate action. otherwise he
yynrY ~ 1,axyr fax~
instanced again the action of the House
and also referred to the personal character
of the service performed by Gen. Porter.
He considered the discussion unfortunate,
but again expressed the opinion that If Con-
gress was going to extend the compliment
| it should do so In the most generous manner
possible.
Mr.. Teller did not agree that the reference
of the resolution to committee could in
any way detract from the honor to be be-
slowed. but, on the contrary. believed that
| consideration would add much to their
value. Indeed. he thought that Congress
should make it rule not to confer such
! honors in a perfunctory way.
Mr.. Lodge then withdrew his request for
the adoption of the resolution. and it was
referred to the committee on foreign rela-
lions.
Congressional Relief Appropriations.
When the Porter matter had been dis
posed OF Mr.. Gallinger brought up the
question of the disposition of the 50. SOC. 600
voted by Congress for the relief of the
California earthquake sufferers. saying that
Mr. Tillman had stated in committee that
there seemed to be some Misrepresentation
on the question. and that some of the news
papers had indicated lack of information.
He asked Mr.. Allison. as chairman of the
committee on appropriations, to explain.
| Mr.. Allison stated the fact that two ap-
propriations had been, made aggregating
| 50 h(NG 600 hff he said that
| had really been expended by the Secretary
| Of War before even the first appropriation
| of a million had been made Unfortunate
| ly, he went on, the call for help had come
| In the last quarter OF the fiscal year, when
| the appropriations for the purchase of sup
plies for the War Department were well
| nigh exhausted, rendering 1t necessary to
| make prompt refund of the money used.
! He added that only about $500, 600 of the
| total sum appropriated remains unexpend-
| ed. but said that every dollar would be
| used for the benefit of the California people
| who need help.
BY way of supplement to what Mr. Ali
| son had said Mr.. Perkins had read the
| telegram today sent by Secretary Taft to
Mr.. Phelan, chairman Of the san Francisco
| relief committee, explaining the situation in
detail He said that the action of the gov
eminent had aroused the admiration and
| gratitude of the California people.
Mr.. Daniel on Railway Rates
| Mr.. Daniel was then recognized to speak
| on the rate bill. He began with a pre-
| sentation of his views on the magnitude
| of the question before the Senate, pro-
| nouncing it the greatest economic prob
lem Of the age. because of the vast ex-
| tent of the railroad business.
! Taking up the BILL he outlined a num-
! Der Of questions involved, including the
power of Congress to regulate railroad
| charges, to fix rates from any station in
| one state to any station in another state
| and whether Congress has the right to
| enforce compliance with the rates that
| may be fixed by the commission, He de-
clared these questions to be fundamental
| and that there were sufficient Supreme
| Court decisions to answer In every In
| stance that Congress has the power.
| After reciting much history to sustain his
position concerning the right of Congress to
regulate commerce between the states Mr..
| Daniel said that 1t was in the power of
| Congress to charter railroad In the United
| States. as the nation possesses eminent do
main.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.