The Washington herald., 1908-07-13

Gov Swanson. Of Virginia, presented to
the subcommittee Of the resolutions COM
mittee a plank entitled The degeneracy
Of the House Of Representatives. which
he read. with the comment that he be-
ieved II would be a decidedly popular
issue 20 bring 10 the front. The plank
recited that the House had come TO be
dominated absolutely by the Speaker, and
pledged the party 10 such amendment Of
its rules as would remedy many evils.
Mr.. Swanson declared there vas not a
Congressional district in the country 10
which Il had not been reported by It's
Representative I'm Congress that he was
unable, because OF the position Of the
Speaker. to obtain results for particular
measures he had advocated.
Tho Charlestown Spirit. Of Jefferson.
says that the Coal and Coke Railway
Company, operating between Charleston
and Elkins. will test the validity OF the
2-cent passenger-fare law passed by the
legislature Of 1907. This action is taken
after the road has given the law a trial
OF twelve months. and because, II Is al
legged. the act has proved confscatory.
declaration has been fled In the
Kanawha County Circuit Court. praying
for an injunction restraining William G.
Conley. attorney general Of West Vir-
ginia, and Capt. s. 3. Avis, prosecuting
attorney for Kanawha County. from in
stituting any criminal proceedings against
the plaintin, or any Of It's officers. agents,
or servants for their failure 10 observe
the act OF the legislature limiting pas
senEer fares 20 cents per mile. The
petition also asks that the act be de-
clared null and void SO FAR as II relates
to the plaintiff.
The Bituminous Coal Company will
very shortly make Moundsville, w. Va,
its headquarters having taken Offices in
the Schaub Building. where they will oc-
cupy an entire floor The company has
always heretofore. had headquarters IN
New York City The Bitumnous Coal
Company Is one Of the largest I'm the
country, and has several mines I'm the
vicinity OF MoundSville. This company
last fall purchased several hundreds OF
acres Of coal land I'm Glendale. and will
start within short time to open up the
mine. The Glendale mine will be called
! the Riverside coal mine. and Will en-
/ ploy large number Of men.
Jefferson County. w. Va. contains the
/ finest law library Of any county Of It's
[ size in the State II was founded by
Henry Gregg. esq. and built with money
/ received as fines In criminal cases. Crimi-
nails. IN fact contributed fines 10 fur
nish legal information. not only to those
who defended. but 70 those who prose-
cuted them as well For several years
| the library was run fast and loose. be-
! cause Of the lack Of an efficient librarian.
| Joseph b. Doyle, a former newspaper
! editor, is now in charge, however and the
/ library is being run on strict lines. MIR.
/ Doyle succeeds In enforcing the rule that
/ those lawyers who do not pay fees shall
not use IT, There is some grumbling at
| the "steam-roller' policy, but a court
order backs il up. and none care to force
| contempt proceedings.
Martinsburg. w. Va. has a population
OF $500. has sixteen churches. with a total
membership Of 5000, has a good school
system. with 1000 pupils. and is the
metropolis Of Berkeley, with 5000 popu-
! lation, 1000 farms. and an annual apple
crop valued at S250,0O0 Last year the
/ total value Of crops was S25OO.O0o. with a
value OF farm and live stock Of 5000 600.
/ The directors Of the Norfolk Board Of
Trade are taking vigorous steps TO have
Hampton Roads designated as the port
/ for the return Of the battle-ship fleet next
February from its around-tEe-world tour.
/ 1t was decided in a recent meeting TO
ask the assistance Of the municipal. trade,
| and business organizations Of Norfolk.
Portsmouth. Newport News, Old Point,
Phoebus. in fact. every organization in
that part OF the country. a joint com
mittee, selected from these organizations.
will come TO Washington. and call upon
the Navy Department FOR the purpose OF