Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-05-06

edge OF the charges against hin, ware
the sensational announcements OF today's
congressional inquiry into the conaes7a-
ton controversy while Secretary OF the
Irtsrior Ballipger WAS on the staDd
Hestsd clashes at arms, 10th between
committee members, the two s!torneys
and the witness aud counsel furnished
drsmatic interruptions TO erueilirg
cross examination by Attorney Braude's'
The secretary OF the interior struck nacS
With anger at theae onslaught, and
twice appealed to the committee unsuc-
ce.s'ully, to avoid answering question:.
Ready and willing to accept the emas.
culat.d administration railroad bill prac
,icslly ss it now stands In the senst',
President Taft arrived in Washington
today without q we'll defined plan fer
his intended campaign for the bill. I've
of the presidents pet prof scts, the clause
of the bill legalIzing pooling, or tar'h
agreements, and the provision for the az
ouisition OF minority stock by compsDhs
holding 81 per cert of the st)ck OF roll
roads, have been cut from the bill by the
insurgents, blu. the president had reachsd
The conclusion that be will Dot maize
fight for either OF these provisions. Il
he can stiffen the backs OF his supporters
enough to hold the bill to its present ir.
regular form he will be satisfied. He
feels that there Is enough good in the
bill ss 1t nov stands to warrant bis &C.
ceptance of the measure. The presidents
attitude throughout his weeks Jaont
about the country has been that the re-
spouaibili,y for the bill no longer rett'
With him, but with the republicans 10
Congress. It is very probable that after
thoroughly thresbing out the matter
With the leaders today and tomorrow ne
will steadfsstly maintain that attitude,
sud avoid mixing In the fight for the bill
] at sn. Pressure is being brought to beer,
however, to get him to swing the "b'g
STICK" II he thinks It will be eficacious.
Besides the presidents constitutional
preiadice sgsinst the coercion Of Con.
press," however, he lie going tt be too
busy next week, on his trips, when the
railroad bill fight ia on to do much big
sticking. The president had Dot been
eettled at bis desk 10 the executive otacss
today for FIVE minutes when Senator
| Elkins, who has charge Of the bill in the
Senate, and Senator Murray Crane call
ed. The talk vas brief, lasting less
thar Is minutes. As be WAS leaving the
White House af!er discussing the bill
with the president, Senstor Elkius aaid:
"We have the votes to psss the bill sa
| We want 1t. We have talked with the
commander-iu-chiefo Of our forces aud are
glad that be Is on band to do bis psr'.
We have acquainted bin thoroughly
with the sisu,tion. 'Havs you TIE
votes to replace the merger clause add
the tsr:f agreement provision In the
bill?" Mr.. Eikins was asked. "Well,
!you know" be said, "there are some
things that ne ourselves are doubtful
about" After the conference and Short
talk with Attorney General WicSershnm,
the president decided to cancel his en-.
pspement t, visi! Brooklyn next Thurs
| day, to attend the lsunchipg OF the bet
stlesbip Florida. The presidents trip to
New York and Passsic, N. ] !, on Mon
| dsv and Tuesday will not be altered.
| The regulsr Cabinet meeting today
devoted some time discussing the rail.
road bill snd the situation in CoDgfess::
The merits OF the various proposed
amendments to the bill we're thresheo
| cut at length, ATTORNEY HoTTo Puo
7 IFau1ug tns 'sig.
rescued that the danger to the bill from
the administration standpoint lies not
80 much In what has been taken out OF
the measure as In what may be added to
Il. In PARTICULAR, the amendments pro-
vidiug for milage rates on long and
shcr! bsuls, aud physical valuation OF
tae railroads, which have been advanced
were discussed. The president obj
strongly to the socsled long aed short
hsul clsuse, believing that it will work
liuiustice to many shippers. Many OBJ.
jec,ions were also mace to the proposed
physical valuation amendment.
| A report Oh the naval appropriation
bill was agreed upon by the Senate
oaval committee today. The provisions
10 the bill as It came from the House for
two 6.st class bsttleships and two col
liers we're approved snd the committee
voted to add ak torpedo boat destroyers
aud one submarine to the navy additions
recommended by the House. No action
With regard to reorganization was taken
by the committee.
Today's garden party at the White
House aud Mrs. Taft's insistence that
the president attend, were the prime
reasons Why the presiden. cuit,iled his
wes,e,n trip this week.
The Senate today confirmed the nomiaa
nation nj O. P. Nsire to be postmaster
at Clifton Forge, VS..
Speaker Cannon announced today the ap
pointmeut Of James s Ravens, Of New York,
| the newly elected democratic member, to the
committee on railways and canals That COM.
mittes has had but two meeting since the
civil war.
A slight improvement was reported today
j in the condition Of Senator McCumber, of
No III Dakota, who is at Garfield Hospital
suffering from the fleet of two operations
A telegram to President Taft thanking him
for The reception accorded the Chinese Prince
Tsai Tao. during his visit here was made
public at the White House today. Prince
Tssi Tao sent the message just as he was
leaving New York.
Tales o. wonderful auto speed records made
by President Taft in his pleasure drives, nave
awakened the apprehension Of the presidents
! relatives, and on his return 10 Washington
today the president found on his desk several
letters from members of his sanity remon-
stratng against his speed mania.
| Rear Admiral Bowman b. McCalla retired
died at Santa Barbra today. Admiral Nc.
Gala was born in Camden, N. j., and entered
4 Ia. ral rarrina L.,