Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1910-04-22

The Week
in Congress
~~~~~~~

An animated debate occurred in thu
Senate Thursday on a suggestion by
the special committee on the cost Of
living, looking to the expenditure OF
$500 for the extension of the work
of the committee in gathering infor.
nation regarding wages. Senator Hale
suggested that these facts should be
supplied as speedily as possible and be
used in answering questions in the
coming campaign. Senator Bacon dep
recated the use of such information.
The House bill requiring railroad com.
panies to make reports of accidents
to the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion was passed by the Senate. Ad
journed until Monday. In the House
the session was devoted chiefly to a
consideration of the nava a%pproprla.
ton bill.
The Senate was not in session Fri
day. Two battleships were authorized
by the naval bill passed by the House.
This action was taken by the decisive
vote of 1872 to 10, thirty-tnree Demo-
Gratis voting with the Republicans for
two battleships, while twenty-four Re-
publicans voted with the Democrats
for one battleship. The House adopt
ed an amendment by which the two
battleships and two fleet golfers au-
thorized by the bill must be built by
firms operating under the eight-hour
law. AS passed the naval bill appro-
pirates about $685. 00, 900.
The Senate was not in session Sat
urday. Eulogies in honor of the lats
Representative De Almond of Mis-
souri, were the chief features in Ice
House.
The House met Sunday to hold .
memorial in memory Of the late Sena'
tor McLaurin of Mississippi.
In the Senate Monday consideration
was begun of the administration rail.
road bill, section by section. Several
amendments offered by Mr.. Elkins for
the administration Republicans werS
adopted. Senator Nelson made q
speech in which he declared that this
purpose of the bill was to destroy the
Sherman antitrust law, and that he
could not vote for it. Senate adjourn
ed until / o'clock Tuesday On account
of the marriage of the daughter of Sen.
alto Clark of Wyoming. Speaker Can
mons suggestion that the insurgents"
of the House did not have sufficient
courage to join with the solid minority
in the election of his successor and his
prediction that the Republicans woul
carry the next congressional elections
were the striking features Of a some.
what sensational day in the proceed
ings of Congress. These statements by
the speaker were called forth In cou-
nection with his comment on the floor
over the action of the Democrats and
Insurgents in sending back to con-
ference a report which allowed $2,5OU
for the expenses of the speakers auto
mobile, together with an allowance for
the Vice Presidents automobile. The
SPEAKER declared that he had never
suggested nor approved the allowance
of automobiles for the Vice President
and for himself, the legislation having
been initiated in the Senate.
In the Senate Tuesday, Mr.. La Fol.
lette spoke in opposition to the rail.
road bill. His remarks consisted
chiefly Of an a%rraignment Of Attorney
General Wickersham for ordering a
dismissal of the governments merger
suit against the New York, New Ha'
ven and Hartford Railroad for absorb
ing Boston and Maine line. because
the Massachusetts legislature had pass
ed a law legalizing the holding CON-.
pany. Senator Lodge in a heated
speech came to the defense OF the &C.
ton of his state legislative officers, de-
claring the two roads were not COM
J peting lines, as charged by Mr.. La
Toilette. and that the law was wise
, legislation. The House listened atten.
lively to a very full explanation OF
] the provisions of the railroad bill re.
\ ported from it's committee on inter.
] state and foreign commerce. This ex-
! planation was made by Mr.. Mann. OF
Illinois, chairman Of the committee re-
porting the measure. AS 1t was re.
viewed section by section Republicans
and Democrats alike entered into .
t discussion of its provisions.
The Senate proceeded with the con
9 sideration of the railroad bill Wednes
9 day. An amendment was agreed up
on permitting compliments to appear
as narties to a suit upon the proposed
commerce court, this action being
+ taken in accordance with views OF op-
! moments of the measure. Various DIS
) If local interest throughout the coun'
!. try. especially in. relation to the lane.