The Newport miner. [volume] (Newport, Wash.) 1899-current, 1911-12-21
NEWS FROM OUR
NATIONAL CAPITAL
Congress to Adjourn at End OF
Week Owing to Nearnes OF
the Holidays.

Washington, D. C.-The near ap-
proach of Christmas will see the GUS
tomary lull in political and public af-
fairs. Little real work is expected OF
Congress, which will adjourn at the
end of the week for the holiday re-
cess.
President Taft sent two messages
to Congress this week, the wool
tariff message and one dealing with
the government departments. A spe-
cial message with the report of the
economy and efficiency commission
will be submitted early in January
Other messages planned by the presi-
dent after the holiday recess are on
Alaska and the cotton schedule.
Favors Protection for Wool.
The tariff boards report shows that
while substantial reductions may be
made in the wool tariff, the average
reduction cannot be great If the pro-
tective principle Ia to be maintained.
The Republicans in the Senate are
said to have decided that If the Demo
cratic House sends over a wool bill
disregarding the tariff board report
they will ignore 1t and prepare prac-
tically a new OIL. The Republicans
expect the support of the insurgents,
but unless they have nearly every
member of this faction with them the
Democrats will pass their own bill,
which means that President Taft, who
has gone on record as unalterably op-
posed to any tariff measure which
disregards the protective principle,
probably will veto 1t.
Russia Angered by Treaty Abrogation.
What in diplomatic language Is in
terpreted as practically a threat by
Russia to sever all friendly relations
with the United States in the event
that Congress went ahead with its
plan to abrogate the treaty of 1892
with that country, was made to Presi-
dent Taft and Secretary of State
Knox by the Russian ambassador.
That President Taft regarded as Sc
rious the situation arising from the
Russian protest that adoption of the
Sulzer resolution would be inconsist-
ent with existing friendly relations
was indicated when five members of
the Cabinet were summoned for a
special meeting.
Trust Control q Live Issue.
Trust control will become important
in legislation before the close of the
present Congress. Steps will be taken
in the direction of charging the con-
troll OF Congress over trusts and mo-
nopolies. Drastic legislation will be
proposed and there may be efforts to
modify the present Sherman act so
that it will not have to be largely in
terpreted by the supreme court.
The Investigations which have been
conducted and the reports which wild
be made will afford an opportunity
for drafting laws to further regulate
trade combinations. It will take time
to get any such bills passed, as there
is a determination on the part of
many members of both houses to
move with caution in regard to such
an important matter.
Demands on Treasury Heavy.
The pension bill already passed by
the House. carrying from $4,000, 900
to $75 100000; the demand of the pub
lie buildings committee for an omni-
bus measure to carry between $685.
100000 and s30,OO0,OO0 and other large
demands on the treasury have COM
plicated the situation. Democratic
leader Underwood insists that the
public buildings bill shall not be put
through.
National Capital 6revitles.
Aid from Congress for the protec-
| ton of w. Morgan Shuster, the
American financial minister of Persia,
is not required, according to a state
ment made by Secretary of State
Knox.
An investigation to determine why
the price of sugar was increased sew
eral cents pound last summer was
begun by the House committee ap-
pointed to investigate sugar condi-
| tons.
Various atfAmOts RI ont down Tho