New-York tribune., 1911-01-22
THE WASHINGTON

White House. ne un-Committee of the
W.. and Means Committee has placed the
o,,i-, matter in the hands of Representative
pov,e charging him with the duty of nre-
narinq the bill as II should be reported.
W payne preserved his usual reticence re-
qard,ng his plans, Tut said he expected 10
suhn,it the completed draft to tho whole
committee on Tuesday
MOTIONS SUCCESSOR-T Charles
n Hilles. referred TO In these dispatches
this morning as the probable successor Of
Mr. Norton as secretary TO the President
has received an offer Of that place may be
asserted definitely. Mr.. Hilless friends do
not believe, however. that he will accept
unless Congress consents 10 increase the
salary 10 10000, and the prospects for
such an increase are not promising. For
some reason best known TO themselves. the
members of Congress. especially Of the Sen
ate insist that the secretary TO the Presi-
dent should not receive a larger compensa-
ton than themselves, and this despite the
fact that they devote hardly more than six
months i'm each year 10 their public duties.
that al no time do they perform work one
ralf as arducus as that Of the secretary to
the President, and that a majority Of them
practise law or engage in some other re-
munerative occupation. II Is rumored that
II Mr. Hilles declines the post it will be
offered 10 Martin Egau. a newspaper man,
who was well known 10 Mr.. Taft in the
Philippines and is now the proprietor OF a
paper in Manila.
CONSERVATION LEGISLATGON.-Thc
Committee on Public Lands held hearing
to-day on Senator Nelson's bill providing
for the leasing Of coal lands in Alaska.
The Alaskan Delegate. who. in his efforts
to promote his own popularity with the
voters OF his district has always been a
thorn I'm the flesh 10 the administration.
made various protests. He urged that the
royalty proposed was TOO low, despite the
fact that, in the opinion Of Senator Nelson,
higher rate would make coal just so
much more expensive 10 the people OF
Alaska. He contended that only the rail
roads would take out leases-a contention
which he did not appear TO be prepared 10
substantiate-and finally he said that II
the entire returns from the proposed leases
we're TO be paid into the Alaskan treasury
he might see his way clear 10 approve the
measure.
AFTER STEEL TRUST.--The Rules
Committee OF the House agreed to-day 10
give Representative Stanley. OF Kentucky.
hearing on his resolution calling for an
investigation Of the Steel Trust. This reso-
luton was introduced in the closing days
of the last session. II provides for the
appointment Of q special committee 10 in
vestigate the existence OF the alleged trust
and also Of the merger Of the Tennessee
Coal and Iron Company. which. II will be
remembered. has already been investigated
by the Senate Committee on Judiciary. 1t
further provides that If a trust is found 10
exist the Attorney General shall be in
ttructed 10 begin prosecution Immediately.
SUNDAY EJLOGIES Senators Lodge
and Hale urged the Senate to-day 10 utl-
ize the remaining Sundays Of this session
for eulogies Of dead members, saving
that 1t would he more appropriate to do
this than to attempt TO crowd eulogies into
legislative days marked by a rush of other
business. The discussion arose out Of the
announcement OF Senator Bacon that he
would ask that SATURDAY, February IS, be
set apart for eulogies of Senators Clay
and Dolliver. II was pointed out that this
is the custom of the House, and one which
the Senate might wei! emulate in n short
session. Senator Hale seconded the propo-
sition. dwelling on the belated condition OF
the regular supply bills. No decision was
reached. however. G. q. H.