The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-01-05
SHORT SESSION.
Congress Meets and AdjOurns
Almost Immediately
Out of Respect for the Late SEN
atOr Elkins.

Washington, Jan. 5-Both houses OF
congress adjourned early today out of
respect to the memory of Senator
Stephen B. Elkins of West Virginia,
who died at his residence here last
night after lingering illness. The sem
ate was in session only six minutes,
adjourning until Monday. The house
devoted a half hour to pressing busi-
ness and then adjourned until noon to-
morrow.
In the senate proceedings were con-
fined entirely to the announcement of
the death of the West Virginian by
mis- colleague, Senator Scott. and to
proceedings incidental to the announce
ment. Referring to Mr.. Elkins' brave
fight for his life after a long Illness
Senator Scott said his course in this
he had always fought and contended
manfully for principles he believed
right. Then he added:
ITO me his death is personal. The
country suffers a great loss and West
Virginia one of the greatest sorrows
she could possibly have experienced.'
After a resolution expressing the SEN
ate's profound sorrow had been
adopted the following were appointed
a committee to accompany the body to
his late home at Elkins, w. Va;
Messrs. Scott, Hale, Frye, Aldrich. Gull
lom, Gallinger, Lodge, Bacon, Tillman,
Keane, Bentley, Foster, Stone, Crane,
Carter, Smith of Maryland and Root
adjourned as a further mark of re-
Spect.
In the House.
In the house announcement of Sena-
tor Elkins' death was made by Repre-
sentative Gaines of West Virginia. Al
resolution was adopted authorizing the
speaker to appoint a committee to act
with the committee from the senate.
This committee had been announced
when the house, at 1890, adjourned
out of respect. Senator Elkins was
chairman of the senate committee on
interstate commerce and his removal
will make a rather startling change III
the personnel of that committee which
is charged with passing on railroad
legislation. There is little doubt that
Senator Clapp of Minnesota, now fifth
on the committee. will be chairman on
| the expiration of the present congress
in less than two months.
Senator Clapp has been an insurgent
on railroad rate legislation in that ho
| has favored many suggestions for the
| regulation of rates which the majority
| of the committee regarded as ultra
radical.
The death of Senator E1kins leaves
vacancies also on the committee on
appropriations, commerce, printing and
rules.
The tariff commission bill was intro
| duced in the house today. It was
framed by Representative Longworth
OF ONO dILer conferences with 8TeS1-
dent Taft and with insurgent Repub-
licans. 1t provides for permanent
tariff board and further powers to
make It thoroughly efficient body,
particularly as to facilities for investi-
| cations.
| Mr.. Longworth said he purposed to
press his measure which embodied
what he regards as the best feature of
| the Lenroot, Goode and other bills and
hoped to obtain a favorable report from
the ways and means COMMITTEES
promptly.
| The following were appointed as a
committee Of the house to attend the
funeral of Senator Eikins: Represen-
tatives Hubbard, Hughes, Woodyard,
| Gaines and Sturgis of West Virginia;
| Mann. Illinois; Andrews, New Mexico;
Rucker, Missouri; Alexander, New
| York; Longworth, Ohio; Ca1derhead,
| Kansas; Slemp and Lamb, Virginia.;
Charleston, Alabama; Adamson. Living
ston, Georgia, and Mccall. Massacfus-
ettS.