New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-28
THEDAyINWASHINCTON

, terly incapable OF interpreting. To-day
John W. Gates, called before the commit
tee which is supposed TO be investigating
the steel Trust. enjoyed himself i'm
mensely al the expense OF his interrogators
who were all at sea most Of the time. and
most Of whom were too proud to say
that they could not understand the expla-
nations given, nor had they the slightest
idea how to develop the Information they
sought. That these investigators are sue
ceeding only in making a spectacle of
themselves is keenly appreciated by the
leaders. but the committee charmen are
appointed for this Congress. and there is
now no possibility of change
INVESTIGATING FURNITURE-Thos
broad minded statesmen who are supposed
10 be investigating the Postoffice Depart
ment spent another day questioning the
chief clerk Of that department regarding
the furnishing OF the Postmaster Generals
rooms little bird. one OF those decep-
tive little fellows woh always haunt Demo-
cratic committees had told the commit
tee that Mr.. Hitchcock had installed per
haps the costliest bathroom in Washing
| ton" Mr.. Weed. the chief clerk, was
asked about it with an air which clearly
indicated that the committee believed it had
unearthed a scandal OF large proportions.
The Postmaster General mas no bathroom
at all calmly replied Mr.. Weed Il guess
YOU were thinking Of the bathroom at the
House end OF the Capitol" One frightful
discovery was made, however. Mr. Weed
admitted that the mahogany waste basket
ordered to match the furniture Of the
/ Postmaster Generals room cost r5. The
committee fairly gasped. and one member
exclaimed: We'll, I swan" Mr.. Weed told
the committee also that Mr. Hitchcock
I had spent about $4,000 travelling over the
! country on an inspection tour of postofiices,
and had not charged his expenses to the
governmental piece OF information which
/ the committee hardly welcomed.
| REPORT ROOT BILL-The sub-commit-
! tee Of the Committee on Privileges ana
/ Elections has reported fayorably TO the fuil
! committee the election of Senator'S BILL
which was introduced by Senator Root. 10
which he has often referred as means OF
/ correcting by statute the chief evils when
! II Is sought 70 avoid by popular election OF
Senators. The subcommittee proposes one
change. Mr. Roots bill provides that after
a certain period a Senator may be elected
by a plurality instead OF by a majority OF
the legislature on joint ballot. The commit
tee recommends a change which will provide
that the winning candidate must receive
one-third or more Of the entire vote cast
In the committee proper the question was
| raised as TO whether under the Constitu-
ton Congress had the power to make the
! change in the election Of Senators proposed
NV the Root bill. This question was not
taken Nd by the subcommittee, but doubt
less will he by the full committee, and II is
] expected that Senator Root Will appear IN
support of the constitutonality OF his bill
! PHILIPPINE PROSPERITY. -Athough
the people Of this country have pretty gen
orally lost sight Of the fact, 1t may be re-
called that one OF the first virtues OF the
PAYNE tariff bill in the eye Of the President
was its provisions affecting the Philippines
For this reason the President was peculiar
lv gratiied to receive to-day from W. cam
eron Forbes. Governor General Of the Phll'
ippines. communication stating that th'
+ revenues of the islands have increased by
10000 over last year, and that those OIL
last year increased by the same amount
over those OF the year before, so that tnf
total increase in two years has reached al
o,,regate Of 100000 The Governor Gen
CO. ~sDorts that the Philippine government
/ - avnending about 100000 pesos year II
.r.ti;r works and that the prosperity or the
isiaiiuS i G. q. II.