Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1908-05-05
WORK OF
CONGRESS-


As the Senate was about to conclude
consideration os the paval appropriation
bill Thursday Senator Piles of Washing
ton proposed en- amendment increasing
from two to four the number of new bat
tleships to be authorized. As several
Senators desired to speak on the amend
ment, the further consideration OF the
bill was postponed An amendment to
the naval bill was adopted appropriating
$1.O00,000 to begin construction on the
two battleships authorized An amend
ment to remove the restriction Of the pur-
chase of materials for the construction
OF the battleships, submarine boats. ETC.,
to those of domestic manufacture was de-
feated. Senator Rayner of Maryland spoke
on the constitutional rights of the States
and executive encroachments. He insisted
that the commerce act of the Constitu-
ton had been interpreted as applying to
the industrial life of the country to a Far
greater degree than was contemplated by
the trainers of the Constitution. BY the
overwhelming vote of 245 to the House,
after several hours discussion, adopted
without amendment the Senate joint reso-
luton introduced by Senator Tilman au-
thSrizing the Attorney General to file
suits against the Oregon and California
Railroad Company for the forfeiture of
all or part of 2,SO0,0O0 acres of land
grants in the western part of Oregon. 1t
is claimed by the government that by rea-
son of breaches and violations of the act
making the grants the railroad company
had forfeited all right to the land in ques-
ton.
Arguments in favor of the Presidents
program for four battleships consumed
most of the session of the Senate Fri
day. Mr.. Hale laid before the Senate
statement of battieships and other fea-
lures of the American naval program,
which he said showed that as large feet
as is now in the Pacific can be kept there,
and at the same time there would be ships
for still larger feet for the Atlantic.
Senator Beverage concluded the debate
for the day with a strong appeal for four
battleships. The Senate passed bill
appropriating 100000 for survey of an
inland water route from Boston to Will
mington. The business of the House
proceeded at rapid gait, despite the fact
that the Democrats forced six roll calls.
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Another day was spent by the Senate
Saturday in considering the amendment
to the naval appropriation BILL but vote
was not reached at the close of the dis
cussion. which was participated in by a
dozen Senator's Mr. Hale secured an
agreement for a vote before adjournment
of the Senate on Monday. Much of the
discussion was devoted to the improba-
bility of war being forced upon the United
States Senators Beveridge and Piles
were SHARPLY criticized by Senators Al
drich Perkins and Macumber for their
statement Friday. and several heated col
loquies occurred. AT the conclusion of
the debate number of oils were passed.
The House ives in legislative session only
two hours, during which time, after con-
siderable discussion. it passed the bill re-
classifying and increasing the pay of GER
tain officials and employees of the customs
side.
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By an overwhelming vote President
Roosevelt's four battle ship program
failed in the Senate Monday, after
three days debate. As finally passed the
bill appropriates 1923, l II, 659-provides
for two battle ships, two golfers, pur-
chase of three additional Golfers. con-
struction of other naval craft and a gen.
eral increase of pay. The House rules,
keyed up to meet a Democratic filibuster.
reacted to prevent message from Presi-
dent Roosevelt from being read. 1t was
with an eye single to political capital that
the House proceeded throughout the day.
A resolution was passed authorizing the
news print paper investigating commit
tee to spend the necessary funds to carry
on the investigation. The sundry civil
appropriation bill was debated for three
hours. Mr.. Marshall. North Dakota, at
tackled the Aldrich bill. Mr.. Spight, Mis-
sissippi, urged Congress to refund to the
Southern States the $60.000000 cotton
taxes collected in the Civil War, and Mr..
Shackelford. Missouri. took the Repub-
licans generally to task and criticised the
shortage in the st. Louis subtreasury.
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The pension and the District of Column
bia appropriation bills were passed by the
Senate Tuesday. In addition. the special
message of the President urging legis-
lative program was read. and another
chapter of Senator Warmers speech on
the Brownsville ARRAY was heard. The
resolution of the House to give govern
ment aid to cyclone sufferers in the South
was passed The resolution 10 extend the
time when the commodity clause of the
railroad rate law shall become operative
was called before the Senate by Mr.. FL
kins. but went over under objection from
Mr.. Culberson Ostensibly considering
the sundry civil appropriation bill. the
House devoted most of its time to-day
to speeches covering q wide range of sub
iects and concluded the session by giving
an attentive hearing TO the Presidents
special message referring to the multi
millionaire whose son is fool and his
daughter foreign princess" was reached
there was a storm OF applause
NATIONAL CAPITAL NOTES.
al H.. al.