The news=record. [volume] (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon) 1907-1910, 1910-12-28
NEWS FROM THE
NATIONAL CAPITAL
What Our Lawmakers Are Do.
ing and Other Interesting
Events.

shington-Congress has done re-
rlarkabH 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. 1t 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 a 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
bower sites will concentrate their ef-
forts on a bill recently introduced by
Senator Smoot, which embodies the
ideas set forth by Secretary Balm
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-
federation in the senate, in the hope
1t may be taken up by the house after
the appropriation bills are out of the
way.
Reading Bill is 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 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 foI
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
by the conditions, will be given.
Postal Banks Are Ready.
All is now ready for starting the
machinery of the postal savingi
banks throughout the country OF
January 3.
The 4S postmasters who have beel
in Washington acquiring information
concerning the management of the pos
tai savings work have finished thei
training at Postmaster-General Hitch
cocks Office and the last OF them dc
parted for home. All are postmaster
at second-class Offices.
National Capital News Bits.
The sale Of articles accumulated 4
: the division of dead letters of tn
. Postoffice Department In the last fey
! days embraced 1891 items, aggrega
ing $9S46.S0, or an average Of s1.3
for each parcel sold. according to
report of the Postmaster-General.
I The aggregate cost of the transpo
I tation of domestic mails during tn
: year was sS1.7O9,433.6s; while tn
: cost Of foreign malls was s3,112, 1924
? Notwithstanding the increased amour
! Of mail handled the percentage OF Il
crease in the cost was only 1.15 D,
4 cent.
j 1t is reported that the departmel
\ Of justice has come to the conclusio