Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1908-03-18
From Washington
Correspondence Of the Alexandra Gazette
Washington. D O., March Is.

AdOfIGSDDuuCuOr VI hhN
Washington. D c.. March 49,
Fully two hundred and fifty delega'es
every international and
national labor union together with
large number from the unaffiliaied rs'l-
wsy nrganization met th 3 morning Tor
what is uudoub,' dly the most sigoihcen
nesting in the history Of the labor move
ment. The Brotherhood Of Locomotive
Firemen aud Engineers, together With
he 'rainme conductors and swi chmen,
although MOI connected with the Amer
lean Federation of Labor, sre, by special
request, in attendance. This is the frs
tine meeting purely political in 5 sig
nificance hiss been held BY the author
ty of the general board Of the
'ederation. The appointment of two
committees was decided upon today by
ID. conference, one 10 draft new m ,surc-
tor the relief of l,bor and to prepare for
heir introduction to Congress through
Influential members, and the second 10
outline an appeal to the working men
of the United States asking for support
OF these measures. The conference was
called to order at 1890 by Vice
President James OConnell, President
Gompers was chosen chairman and ou-
lined in an opening speech "the failure Of
Congress to give labor any relief" There
after addresses were made by members
of the executive council-9l OF whom
we're present except John Mitchell and
Jsmrs Duncan. A general discussion
followed. Great secrecy is maintained
concerning the subjects discussed, and
President Gompers denies the speakers
referred to the formation OF a new politi-
cal partJ.
Members of Congress who have been
almcs, momentsrily expecting red hot
presidential message on the executives
pet project to amend the Sherman anti
trust law, are today quoting the familiar
"off again, on again, gone again Elan
nagsn" 10 size up the situation. Two
DAYS ago, those who saw the President,
emerged from his Office protesting 10
have "positive information" that he
would send in the message within a few
days. Two or three Senators we're 30
sure that he had message in prepars-
ton, that they actually declared they
had read portions of the communication,
and that it was warmer thai tsbasco
sauce. Perhaps they we're stretching
their imsginstiors a bit, for yesterday
the President not only assured at least
one responsible gentleman that he had
no present intention of sending Con-
gress a message, but he denied most
en- phslically the statement that q por-
ton of the mefsige was "alresdy IN
print" He added that at one time be
had contemplated the ACCESSIBILITY of
sending ia a message with the bill which
is now being framed at his request, and
which Representative Hepburn, chair
man of the interstate and foreign CON-
merce committee will introduce 10 the
House, bat after "sscertaining the senti-
ment of Congress" he had abandoned
the idea and would allow the bill to be
introduced without comment from him.
The subcommittee Of the House, ap-
pointed to report what action should be
taken on the attempt to impeach LIB
beus r. Wiley, Judge of the United
States eAtrs territorial court at Shanghai,
Chins, has practically finished lis work
and it is understood will report TO House
Impeachment. Representative Wslrof
asked for impeachment upJu charges
made by Loren Andrew, ct al. lawyers
of Shanghai, who claimed Judge Wiley
had brought reprosch and scandal on the
United States BY his biased and unfair
ruliugs in the orient. Wiley has
already been exonerated By President
Roosevelt as we'll praised for his conduct
in "cesning up" the American colony
in the Chinese city.
Official reports received at the State
Department today from Minister Furniss
At Port su Prince indicate that the crisis
ia Haiti has passed The minister of
foreign affairs has announced to the
French and German ministers that the
refugees in their legations would be per-
mitted to embark, aud the arrival OF the
wsrships mas had a paciiyiug effect. Il
is now anticipated that the difficulty will
he disposed nf with the release of the
refugees snd no further complications
will ensue so long IS the foreign powers
are eliminated.
Tue Hepburn bill - put q tax OF
fifty cents on the 500 in all stock
transactions has been tucked away in
a pigeon hole 10 the room of the con-
mit,ss on ways snd means, and there
1t will remain. There is not the slight
est chance that the House leaders will
allow it TO get out OF the committee.
The new battleship New Hampshire
was formally accepted by the govern
ment today from her builders, the New
York Ship Building Company at the
League Island navy yard.
The condition of Fiorida's new Sena-
tor, William ]. Bryan, who has been
Ill OF typhoid fever for some time, 10
said to be quite serious to-day.
Iu csse senator LsFOllette 10 sble to
conclude bis speech on the Aldrlch
financial bill tomorrow Senator Aldrich
expects to get final vote on the passage
of the measure on Friday.