Wallowa County chieftain. [volume] (Enterprise, Or.) 1909-1911, 1910-12-29
NEWS FROM TRE
NATIONAL CAPITAL
What Our Lawmakers Are Do.
ing and Other Interesting
Events.

markabS well for the pre-holiday ses-
/ sion. Several of the appropriation
bills have been gotten out of the way
of the house and it seems not impos-
sible that some general legislation
may be accomplished. II must be said
in all frankness that the indications
are very muh against the supposition
that they do want TO do anything ex-
cept of course the insurgents on both
sides.
Two things in connection With the
next Congress seem to be pretty well
settled. If he lives Champ Clark will
be speaker and unless there is radi-
cal change in feeling the committees
of the house will be chosen by the
house itself instead Of by the speaker.
Power Site Bill Drawn.
Advocates of state control of water
power sites will concentrate their ef-
forts on bill recently introduced by
Senator Smoot, which embodies the
ideas set forth by Secretary Ballin-
ger in his annual report. This bill
was prepared Jointly by Senator
Smoot and officials of the Interior
Department and has proven accept
able, in the main, to all western sen
ators and representatives who believe
that waterpower development should
be regulated by the states rather than
by the national government.
1t is too early in the session TO de-
termine whether or not there is any
chance for the passage Of the Smoot
bill before adjournment on March A,
but If opportunity presents the
measure will be pressed to early con-
sideration in the senate. in the hope
It may be taken up by the house after
the appropriation bills are out OF the
way.
Reading Bill 10 Coming.
Representative Norris, Of Nebraska,
the insurgent Republican whose reso-
luton instigated the rules fight in the
house last March, will, after the holi-
days, introduce the proposed amend
ment to permit reading the title only
instead of the entire bill, on motion
to C.scharge a committee from further
consideration of a measure.
Mr.. Norris and other Republicans
have been in conference since Speak
er Cannon rendered his ruling a few
days ago that on such motions, the
bill must be read in its entirety. Mr.
Norris said the speakers decision was
wrong.
Crop Reports to Change.
To enable everyone interested in
the monthly crop reports Of the De.
partment OF Agriculture to realize the
full meaning Of the crop estimates in
the growing season, Victor H. Ohm
sted. chairman Of the crop reporting
board, contemplates inluding quaint.
tative Interpretation OF the figures for
important crops.
! Heretofore the crops have been ex.
pressed in percentage. Figures repre-
senting the condition OF each will be
promulgated monthly. as heretofore
! and in addition the quantity OF the
! years final production, as indicated
nv tEn x.,tn L.
Postal Banks Are Ready.
All is now ready for starting the
1 machinery of the postal savings
! banks throughout the country on
. January 8.
The 48 postmasters who have been
! In Washington acquiring information
] concerning the management Of the pos
tai savings work have finished their
I training at Postmaster-General Hitch.
! cocks Office and the last OF them de-.
!. parted for home. All are postmasters
! at second class Offices.
National Capital News Bits.
The sale Of articles accumulated in
: the division Of dead letters OF the
!. Postofice Department in the last few
. days embraced 1891 items. sggregat
J ing ssS4s.so. or an average OF sl.3s
j for each parcel sold, according to q
I report of the Postmaster-Gen
\ The aggregate cost OF the transpor
> tation Of domestic mails during the
!. year was $s1,7O9.433.ss; while the
cost of foreign mails was ss.112,3o24s
) Notwithstanding the increased amount
of mail handled the percentage Of in
I crease in the cost was only lis pei
: cent.
1t is reported that the department,
of justice has come to the conclusion