Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-02-07
CAPITAL CHAT.
Continued from Page One.)

AiAio pSdStlui ldIillly Ill tIkt
most cordial way. He was told at
length what the policy of the commit |
tee Was with reference to legislation
and how various bills were pending
there and how the committee had nu-
mcrous problems to meet with refer
ence to navy legislation. The bill for
increasing the personnel Of the Navy.
which Senator Hale introduced early
in January and which is a very impor-
tant matter of legislation. was eX-
planned to him at some length. When
the committee adjourned the young
Florida senator was in possession of as
much information as could be impaired
in something over an hour Senator
Hale and other Senators of the com
mttee joined IN giving him instruc-
tons.
The young man is very attentive to
thc proceedings Of the Senate and
keeps his seat most Of every daily ses-
sion He looks more like a tail, slcn-
DIR boy, but q few years out of col
lege. than like :; United States Scna-
tor. He is trying to learn the ropes
and thus far has earned the respect Of
his cider colleagues for his Willingness
~ W iOld dilu ItI MS 10
iii the work of the Legislative body.
President Roosevelt, through the
leading members of the Finance Com
nittee, has set at rest the reports
widely circula ted that he was opposed
to the enactment Of the Ald!ich Cur
rency bill into law. AS that bill. just
reported to the Senate after long and
careful considera ton. is the joint work
chiefly of Senator Aidrch, OF Rhode
Island. and Senator Hale. of Maine,
the reports of the Presidents opposi-
ton were OF Il nature to reflect upon
the efforts of those two Senator's 1t
was announced at the Capitol the
other day on authority that The Al
drich Currency bill! is heartily SUD-
ported by President Roosevelt 70
whom, in the course Of consultations,
its provisions have been fully ex-
planned"
AS a matter OF fact the idea Of a bill
on the lines Of the Aldrich bill was pro-
mulgated from the White House some
two months ago and it was that idea
that Senators -Aldrich and Hale took
up and Ella borated. The President has
been kept informed OF every important
move made and has more than once
expressed his appreciation of the way
Senator's .Aldrich and Hale were hand
ling the measure before the Finance
Committee. Their problem. as the
President ras been wei aware, was to
get 4 bill not that came up to their
personal ideas Of what currency legis-
lation should be. but 4 safe. conserva-
tive measure that could command a
majority Of votes in the Senate and
the House. Unless it be tariff legisla-
ton ther" is no legislation that comes
be fore Congress that is more technical
or that calls for more caution and
foresight in framing than currency
legislation. 4 mistake probably could
not be corrected till it had done in
finite damage to the business and f.
EancIal interests of the country.
The Aldrich bill has been framed
with great elaboration. Time has
been taken to go over every paragraph
and to consult experts on divers mat
! tors. The probable effect of the legis-
| lation has been studied from every
| point of V! ". II is expected that il
will be violently assailed in the Senate
| and the Hou't. but the bill has been
| framed with tn" hope that it will
| withstand such assaults and commend
| itself to thc best judgment of both
| branches If Congress.
| Orc Of the things il which Maine
people can take satisfaction. and cspc-
| cialiy residents Of the Third district
is what is being accomplished for them
| II the way ol public buildings. Con-
| gresham Burlcigh has called person
ally ut the Ctticc of Supervising Archi-
| tect Taylor and has secured q virtua
| promise FROM Kim that work on three
Main buildings will be taken up this
spring. They arc the Augusta post
Office extension, the new Bar Harbol
| building. and the Calais building. II
| the case OF the Bar Harbor building
the original appropriation was for blu,
| 5000 for a site only while the present
amount is for $4,000. for building and
| site, which speaks well for the work
| that is being done for the State and
| district.
| In addition it should be said tina!
| Congressman Hurleigh has introduced
a bill for a now building at Waterville
ard an extension at Belfast at tho
! present session. The outcome of these
| is of course more or less problematical
owing to the fact that it has not yet
been determined whether any appro-
| priations will be made, but If this is
| done, it is safe to predict that Maine
will stand as good a show as will any
| other section.
| Senator Frye is bending to the task
| Of getting the mail Subvention bill out
| of his committee on Commerce with q
| favorable report. He has little hear
| for the work. because he believes there
should be more comprehensive meas
ure that would be of benefit to the
| shipping interests of Maine and other
| parts OF the country but, like a good
| soldier in a worthy cause, he is help
! ing TIE bill along for what it may lead
| to in subsequent Congresses.
| Postmaster General George Won L
F, Meyer has helped the cause Of tbs
| shipping bill along by making a very
| strong recommendation for it. He is
| especially interested in the legislation
| because it would help his Department,
| materially in facilitating the mails tc
| South America and to the Orient. Al
present the mails to South America