New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-02-12
THE DAWN WASHINGTON

II will doubtless prove a matter of gem
eral interest that the Secretary of Agri-
culture positively denies that the French
playwright NJ Rostand, received the in
splration for his new play, "Chantecler,
frcm experience in the governments forest
service.
The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific
Railroad appears to be the one great rail-
way of the country which is prepared to
fight the administrations scheme of amend
ing the interstate commerce law. Roberts
Walker general counsel for that road, ap-
peared before the Senate Committee on
Interstate Commerce to-day and made an
earnest argument against the proposed
measure He declared frankly that his
client was opposed to any legislation
which would prohibit railroad from &C
quiring any other road, and insisted that
with the measure of federal supervision
contemplated by the administration Dill
there was no necessity for such a provi-
sion. as it would make no difference who
owned a railroad when the government
prescribed its rates and controlled its reSu-
lations Mr. Walker declared that the gov
eminent should insist on the maintenance
of the railroads as ironed highways, ac-
equal terms and at fair rates, but he IN
sisted that the charter powers OF the roads
as to Capitalization and the requirement
of new lines should be left unhampered
by federal legislation. There are many
good lawyers in Congress who agree with
Mr. Walker. but as the President has made
the enactment of this measure a test OF
Republican regularity. and as other rail-
roads are presenting no serious oppositlon'
it is hardly likely that his arguments Will
prevail.
Word was received to-day that the Ma
ttonal Paint, Oil and Varnish Association
had determined for the second time, and
by a vote of 158 to ia, TO lend It's sup
port TO the postal bill OF Representative
Bennett The first time the association
committed itself to this proposition was
IN a national convention. when the motion
carried by viva voce vote. The accu-
racy of that vote questioned, now
ever. and the officers Of the association
determined to submit it to the members by
mail The postal ballots give the return
indicated The Bennett bill, were 1t better
known. would doubtless command VIDE
1,onrIar apnrOval It provides for re-
d,1ction of the rates on first class matter
within civ limits to four ounces Tor TWO
cents and one cent for each addluona'
aimee. for the carrying of all third ana
fourth class matter at the third class Ta'e
of one cent for each two ounces TOT
rarcels post on rural free delivery routes
at The rate of one cent for packages
/ weighing not more than one pound anu
exceeding one-ha1f of cubic foot IN SIZE
! for naclxages not exceeding eleven POUNDS
or one cubic foot in size, five cents anu
for nackages not exceeding twenty-five
| nornds or two cubic feet in size. 10 cents
- &c ,,aintsined by actuaries that the pas
SAGE of this bill would so increase the
postal revenue as far more than 10 wipe
out the existing deficit
4 clear demonstration that the effects
IF an effete civilization are making them
solves felt among the aborigines was mace
ir Congress- to-day. For the first time III
many years a petition signed entirely by
I,diape was presented. It was not IN
scrihed on bark or parchment, but was
written with q modern typewriter py one
oe q tribe of one hundred Sioux living on
. Government reservation at Pine R1dge,
y. The complaint. signed by the en-
+rie tribe sets forth that the white SET
Tiers have been stealing the Indians
,,onies. Lucy Sitting Bear says she has
lost thirty ponies of her own, while the
others all declare that they have sustained
losses They say that the Indian once
would not answer their letters, and there
fore they decided to appeal to Congress
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