The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1908-03-13
HAPPENINGS AT the
NATIONS CAPITAL
ILL LINES HAVE REACHED
CAPACITY-PRES WILL
AID THE CATTLEMEN.
Tariff Revision Is Agreed Upon
Few Japs Enter United States
This Year-Other News.

Argument of the Pacific Coast
Lumber case was resumed before the
Interstate Commerce Commission
and J. D. Kerr, representing the Hill
roads. frankly stated that the North
ern Pacific and Great Northern have
reached their capacity for handling
traffic. He said as the development
OF the Northwest continued, traffic
would grow. Therefore existing
roads must increase their capacity
or new roads must be built. but he
declared 20 new roads would be built
to haul lumber unless they had a
guarantee of a rate that would be
remunerative. II the old non-com-
pensatory lumber rate is continued
in effect, money cannot be procured
and railroad building will stop, he
said Kerr denied that the lumber
men would be injured by an in
crease in the rate They can alb
sorb the increase and still make
handsome prof.. he declared.
Inasmuch as the President has in
terested himself il the bill requiring
railroads to move livestock at rate
not less than 16 miles an hour, legis-
lation may be enacted before ad-
tournment. 1t was demonstrated
few days ago that the House COM
mittee on interstate commerce was
not particularly enthusiastic. and it
is probably true that before that
committee takes any action the rail-
roads will demand a hearing.
Plans for the revision of the
tariff have been agreed upon by the
Republican leaders. including Roose-
welt. Speaker Cannon. Senator Bev-
eridge and Representative Payne.
Dalzell and Sherman, the three lat
ter being members Of the Hoouse
ways and means committee. who will
frame the new law. An extra ses-
sion of Congress will be called i'm
mediately after the expiration Of
the present Congress next spring
and a bill will be drafted reducing
some of the high schedules on steel
and iron and equalizing others.
The Pacific Coast members of
Congress have been informed that
only seven Japanese. and these not
laborers. have entered the United
States this year, which is regarded
as showing the effectiveness Of the
new emigration regulation which
Japan has formulated and under
taken to enforce. There is an ap-
prehension that some Japanese Ia
borers have entered the country
through Mexico, but it is learned
that Mexico is negotiating with Jap
an for practically the same regula-
lions that have been applied to the
United States.
The House has unanimously
adopted resolution to investigate
the charges brought by Representa-
tive Lilley of Connecticut. of cor
rupt influences upon members of the
House naval affairs committee in
connection with authorizations for
submarine torpedo boats. The reso-
luton is sweeping in its character
and gives the committee authority to
call for the Electric Boat Com
pany's check books and all papers in
their possession which may have any
bearing on the Investigation.
In response to a letter of protest
against the Beverage child labor
bill. President Roosevelt has ad-
dressed q letter to the Indiana
Manufacturers Association. in
which he places himself in favor of
the enactment by Congress Of bill
regulating child labor in the Dis
trict of Columbia and Territories if
the States fail to enact such laws.
Senator Bourne has been appoint
ed a member Of the subcommittee
on postoffice and post roads and for
the consideration of the postal saw
ings bank bill, filling the vacancy
caused by the death of Senator Proc
tor.
The House committee on arts and
expositions have decided to report
favorably bill appTopriating $780,
900 for the participation of the
United States In the international
exposition at Toxic. Japan. in 1912.
The Senate Army pay increase
bill, granting an increase OF 40 per
cent in the pay of enlisted men and
of smaller percentages to officers.