Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-01-09
CAPITAL CHAT.
Continued from Page One.)

Speaker will discuss with him and
Nh;llrman DartholdG the ACCESSIBILITY of
Such legislation this winter. Gov
burlelSh has gathered for the Speak
ers information some important data
bearing upon the progress made toward
the construction of public buildings
already authorized and Upon what the
administrative force in the Treasury
department VIII be capable of doing
during the next twelve months
Inc public building committee is not
strictly an appropriation committee as
IL does not actually vote the money for
pubic buildings, but it votes the au-
thorl%auons, which is practically the
same thing. For when once a public
building bill has become law there is
no question about the appropriations
committee voting the money.
Ihus 1t will be seen that the Maine
men in Congress win have no small
part during the winter in saving what
millions shall be taken out of the
treasury, even ii it be a do-nothing
congress. There are few states whose
members have such prominent hold
upon the governments purse strings AZ
that held by the members of the Maine
delegation.
Senator Frye and Representative
Littlefie,d will have much work TO dc.
in passing upon flood of bills in co,n-
mlttee. The Commerce Committee. of
wliicn Senator Frye is chairrran
handles almost the same kind of
measures that the House Committee on
Merchant Marine and Fisheries
handles. Of the latter committee Mr.
Littlefield is now the second Republic
can member. He is already framing
I'd a new campaign for his pilotmge bill,
designed to free sailing vessels III
Southern ports from unjus, exactons.
He has fought it through To Il favor
able report in several Congresses but
goes at the work again this winter with
greater determination than ever. He
hopes the House will pass il. Mr. Lit
ticheld may also have a prominent part
III that committee in deliberations over
the mali SubventiOn bill. although he
takes but little interest in it now that
the purpose is to eliminate SubventionS
for freight ships that would include the
sailing ships built and owned in Maine |
Indeed it is possible that the consid,ra-
ton of the mail subvtntion bill will go
to the Postotfice Committee but if il
does there will be no protest from Mr..
Littlefield.
The Judiciary Committee. Of which |
MI Llttlefieid is a member, has always |
vast amount of work to do. Many |
bills, involving important judicial |
questions. are Dassed over to it at
every session of Congress. These re-
1uire exhaustive sessions and often |
call for extended hearings. Mr. Lit |
t!etield has always followed the work |
Of this committee very closely and |
gives ii much of his time.
Representative Powers of Houlton.
will not be bothered much at this ses-
sion with work on the elections COM
mitt:e, of which lie is a member, be-
cause there are but few contested cleo
ton cases. However, he has some
work ahead with the Banking and
currency Committee, if ever Chairman
'OWler'S Subcommittee gets through
with its deliberations on a currency re-
form bill 80 as to give Representatives,
Weeks of Massachusetts. Rur-
on OF ONO, and Hill Of Connecticut,
who are regarded as the solid men of
he committee, chance to shape the
measure up. They are opposed to as
'et currency which is ore of the rea-
sons why Chairman Fowler has de-
aged. because he is not in harmony
With the plans of the Republican Lead
RS of Senate and House with refer
nee to such legislation
But Gov. Powers and his colleagues
Mentioned will have their say in due
easOn. While the Senate. bill. that
senator Hale is framing may be prob
bly, will be the one to be incorporated
nto law, the House COMMITTEES Irust
20 into the currency question thor
ughly and lay the foundations for a
esentatiOn of the various arguments
nd be prepared to defend certain
which have support al the
louise end OF the CAPITOL
Gov. Burleigh will nave some early
FORK TIC do in the Census Committee.
meeting of which will be called by
hartman Nruinpacker nj an early
ate. Much of this will be Of a IRE
character but is regarded as
Important IN making ready Tor some
Important leSislat ton later on.