Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-04-19
SIXTY-SECOND CONGRESS.
SENATE
The Senate was not in session today.
HOUSE.

HOUSE.
The beginning OF the end OF debate
in the House on Canadian reciprocity
came today, with Mr.. Cannon on the
floor against the measure. !.
Mr.. Cannon shorn OF his scepter OF
mower and now but component part
in a minority, today lifted his voice IN
the House in useless plea against
President Taft's Canadian reciprocity
bill. His speech abounded in reninls-
cences and the growth OF the country.
The ex-speaker's argument was that
the United States was big enough to
get along without reciprocal agree
ments with foreign countries and that
the farmer should be protected as the
empire builder, and the keel of the
ship of state.
Floor Leader Underwood declared
that lie intended to close the general
debate today, even if it was necessary
to sit through the evening. Tomorrow
the bill will be read for amendment:
and either late tomorrow or Friday, the
vote will be taken.
1t is probable that the debate on the
measure would have run on for three
days more, had not Underwood sue
ceeded in beating the filibuster OF Mr..
Clark (dem. Fla. J and Mr.. Murdoch
the insurgent, against the leave to
print" privilege. During the absence
of both Clark and Murdoch from the
chamber Underwood obtained unanl-
nous consent for every member who
spoke on the reciprocity bill to extend
| his remarks in the record. This will
obviate number OF long-winded first
speeches from new members. who will
be able to talk for five minutes and
insert five pages in the record. :.
Immediate investigation OF condl-
tons along the Mexican border Is
demanded in a resolution introduced
in the House today by Mr.. Garrett
dem. ky.)
The resolution was referred to the
committee on rules, and it is generally
believed that there is little likelihood
that it will receive immediate attention
Postmaster General Hitchcock Is
called upon to explain recent changes
in the railway mail service, in a resolu-
ton introduced in the House by Rep.
resentative Bouse.
The Bouse resolution demands the
charges and findings, which led to
several changes.
The Bouse resolution was referred.
Mr.. Gudger, dem. n. Co. a protec-
zionist, attacked reciprocity as unjust
and discriminatory. He declared 1t TO
be republican measure and called
upon democrats not to support what he
said was plainly trust measure.
Attacking the republican theory OF
the protective tariff and declaring that
it has built up great trusts and monop-
lies. the democratic ways and means
committee today presented to the
House the free list bill, accompanied
| by a voluminous favorable report.
Mr.. Underwood presented the report.
It is planned to be remarkable cam
paign document in the next preslden-
tiaI campaign and it attacks the repuh'
lican tariff theory roundly.
Mr.. Victor Berger, the lone socialist
congressman, introduced a resolution
proposing a constitutional amendment
that would allow total revision Of the
time-honorcd government instrument.
Berger's proposed amendment reads:
Article XVII. The Congress shall
have power. by majority vote Of both
houses, to call convention for the
purpose Of revising or amending the
constitution.
Demand for sweeping investigation
of the post office department was made
in a resolution introduced this after
noon by Mr.. Saunders dem. Virginia
The resolution directs the COM
mittee on postoffice specifically 10
inquire the amount Of work done
bv postmasters and officials, the
number Of hours OF daily employ
ment, whether the number OF EN-
ployces can not be reduced. whether
the postmasters appointed by presl-
dental order have participated in po-
Iitical campaigns and to what extent
they are now affiliated with political
organizations and to what extent they
have contributed to political parties.
A sigh of relief arose when Chairman
Fitzgerald of the committee on appro.
priations favorably reported that will
give the members of the new Congress
their mileage allowance.
Another resolution reported by Mr..
Fitzgerald corrected clerical errors in
appropriation bills passed at the last.
session.
Delegate James Wyckersham, Of
Alaska, was today elected member of
the public lands committee by the
House this afternoon.