Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1906-01-06

Washington, D. G. January, Il
Many matters of extreme impOl lance
and interest will be dealt with by the
session of congress which to-day TAX es
up it's work after the holiday recess.
Prior to the recess practically as many
bills we're introduced and referred to
the various committees as we're in
troduced during the entire session of
the last congress. Among these
measures are of course hundreds
which will never see the light of day
and which incorporate the views of
members upon various subjects. There
is, however, no end of important
legislation which the administration is
pledged to and to pass which every
energy will be directed.
Of peculiar interest to Wisconsin
because of the action taken by the
last session which enacted rate COM
mission law and provided for the ap-
pointment of commission, is the ma
tional legislation on the same subjec ct
through which it is designed to in
crease the scope and power of the in
terstate commerce commission and
as interstate rates are concerned
Upon this subject there are many
views and the committee bills are
numerous seeking remedy for claimed
transportation evils. The house has
already gone on cord upon this
subject and at the last session passed
what is known as the ESch Townsend
bill. a measure in which Congressman
Esch Of the Lacrosse district to-
gether with other members sought to
incorporate their views. Since this
bill was passed, there have been
extended hearings during the entire
summer and fall before the senate
committee and the testimony taken
has resulted in a division of sentiment
as TO the degree of power that should
be conferred upon the commission.
In the upper house, Senator Foraker
of Ohio, leads what is known IS the
anti administration fight against the
enactment of law which will confer
the absolute rate making power upon
the Interstate commerce commission.
He has an influential following among
the senators. The views of President
Roosevelt are said to be Incorporated
in what are known as the Dolliver bill
in the senate and the Hepburn DILL in
the house both of which materially
add to the scope and power of the
commission but which do not go as f,
as the Esch- Townsend bill in fixing the
rate making right. There is little
doubt about the passage Of a law at
this session which will measurably, at
least, give relief for many of the evils
complained of. The entire Wisconsin
delegation stands committed to this,
although some of the members differ
as to the proper steps to be taken.
In this legislation. Congressman
Esch is generally regarded as one of
the leaders Of thought and action upon
the floor of the house and when the
bill comes up for passage will be heard
from. Congressman Adams Ct the
second district, will also make a
speech, and it is likely that other
members Of tt delegation will ar
range for remarks upon this legi< Ia
ton.
The various statehood bills are also
receiving considera lion before con-
gress and this le lis lation VII 9
pressed early in the session. This
project concerns Oklahoma and Indian
Territory, and present sentiment
favors the making Of state including
the territories named. Another bill
provides for the admission of Arizona
and New Mexico as one state and in
both cases there are bills for single
statehood. The last named project