Watertown leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1909-1911, 1909-12-24
DOINGS OF CONGRESS
IN THE SENATE.

There was no session of the Senate oil
the 14th.
There was no session Of the Senate oil
the 18th
During a brief session on the 16tl
the Senate adopted resolution by Sena
tor CullOm calling on the secretary o
the interior for information respecting
mining disasters and facilities Of tn
government for rendering aid i'll sucl
disasters. Adjourned at 1:16 until Mon
day.
The Senate was not in session on IL.
18th.
The nomination Of Horace II. LurtoT
TO be associate justice Of the United States
supreme court was confirmed on the
20th. Senator DepcW made an Optimis
tic Christmas cheer speech in reply to
pessimistic predictions based on the tar
lift made in La Follette's magazine and
IN newspapers. 4 long list Of nomina
tons for ambassadors, ministers and 9th
er appointlvc officers was sent to the
Senate by the President.
IN THE HOUSE.
The Presidents annual message was
referred and distributed among the yari-
Gus committees on the 18th after Mr..
Payne and Mr.. Fitzgerald Of New York
had ciashed over a statement by the for
mer commencing the Presidents recon-
mendatlons for economy in government
departments. Mr.. HobSOn of Alabama
gave warning of the nation's unprepared-
ness Tor war III a speech in favor of a
more liberal naval policy. Mr. Richard
son of Alabama spoke for liberal water
way policy: Mr.. McDermott of Illinois
advocated free wood pulp. The District
OF Columbia appropriation bill was re-
ported. The House agreed to adjourn
from next Tuesday over the holidays. re-
SonVenlng January 4. At 2:47 D. m the
House adjourned until Wednesday.
The Esch bill, requiring railroads to
make full monthly reports to the inter
state commerce commission and a meas
dre giving the commission power to com
PEI railroads. to provide uniform equip
ment Tor their cars, were passed on the
Ioth. Opposition developed to the sec
non of the Esch bill prohibiting the use
m any action brought for damages of the
exports furnished by the railroads.
chairman Mann urged that the section
De allowed to remain in the bill as an
encouragement to The railroads to give
the commission the fullest information
OF accidents. All amendments to the
section were defeated. The measure be-
comes effective at once. The Mann Pan
anna canal bill was reported by the COM
mittee on interstate and foreign com
merce and was the subject of general
uebate. The provision for adjustment
TIC iotHLildu cdUdl COMMISSION ana
the Capitalization of responsibility for
the construction of the canal and the
government of the canal zone under the
President, in director general, aroused
opposition. MIR. Harrison of New York
charged that former President Roosevelt
had usurped authority in the canal zone
he did not possess. Mr.. Olmstead of
pennsylvania and Mr.. Mann defended
Mr.. Roosevelt. Mr. Sterling Of illinois
and Mr.. Baker of New Jersey attacked
the section of the bill relating to the 1u-
dlcial power in the zone. The reading of
the bill was begun. At 5:35 p. M. the
House adjourneds
: The House devoted five hours on the
10Th to the District of Columbia appro-
priation bill, carrying S1O,156, 473 for
1911. Mr.. Hitchcock of Nebraska in a
speech demanded a congressional inves-
tgation of the general land office. He
attacked Secretary BalIinger in con
nection with the so-called Cunningham
coal land cases. The House adjourned
at 4:55 p. m.
Consideration of the District of Column
bia appropriation bill again occupiedtha
day on the 18th. An amendment pro
viding $4,000 for children's Fairgrounds
was inserted. Mr.. Mann of Illinois at
trlct for criticising C~1gress, and Mr..
Fitzgerald of New York intimated that
ex-President Roosevelt's bad example
was to blame. Adjourned at 1853 D. m.
The District of Columbia appropriation
bill, carrying about $10.275,OOO. was
passed by the House on the both Mr..
Mondell of Wyoming upheld Secretary
Ballinger in a speech against the propo-
sltIon to enlarge the governments au-
thority over dams and water power rights
! IN the different states. The Fitzgerald
Unanimous consent rule was invoked
for the first time and two small local
bills were passed.