The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1912-01-26

closeted with President Taft for more
than an hour an authoritative state,
ment was made at the White House
that there had been no friction be;
tween the president and the postmas!
ter general over the latter's proposed
recommendation that the government
acquire and operate all telegraph lines
as an adjunct Of the postal system.
Mr.. Hitchcock had been summoned
to the White House shortly before
noon and there had been reports that
the president was annoyed over the
publication of the matter at this time.
1t developed. however. that Mr.. Hitch
cock had called the matter to the pres
dents attention a year ago, but to
make a more complete investigation
a delay had been decided upon. Mr..
Hitchcock had intended to bring the
matter up again In recent cabinet ses-
sions, but press of other business had
prevented.
Washington, d. Cat a secret
session Of the rules committee of the
house. Attorney General Wickersham
and Secretary Maggie talked of the
Harvester trust and the shipping trust
for the investigation of which resolu-
tons are now before the committee.
The two cabinet officers favored an
inquiry into the shipping combine. but
1t il understood the attorney general
suggested the committee delay the
harvester trust investigation as the
department of justice 10 preparing to
dissolve the trust unless II reorgan.
ICES.
The rules committee will resume
hearings on the Lindbergh resolution
to investigate the money trust.
The Democrats of the way and
means committee met to perfect the
final draft schedule. 1t will propose
reductions of from 80 to SO per cent
in the present rates of steel ard will
admit iron ore free; barbed wire and
hoop iron probably will be admitted
free also.
Speaker Champ Clark, candidate for
the Democratic presidential nomina-
ton and Henry Watterson of Louis
vile discussed the political situation
here. Whether they discussed presi-
Dental prospects neither would say.
Representative Carey of Wisconsin
(Republican) introduced bill provid-
ing for government ownership of tele-
graph lines, a project recently urged
by Postmaster General Hitchcock. II
was referred to the postofiice commit
tee. The bill would place the tele;
graph systems under the supervision
of the postofiice department in charge
| Of commissioner Of telegraphs to be
appointed in the same manner as as
: sistant postmasters general.
The bill would provide that the in
terstate commerce commission ap-
praise at their market value. all the
J state commerce, the attorney general
then to begin condemnation proceed
ings against the companies.
The measure would stipulate that
wages should not be increased more
than 10 per cent over those paid the
var preceding government acquisition
and would bar any immediate decrease
Of telegraph tolls.
v. s. Second In Naval Strength.
The naval year book issued under
the auspices of the senate committee
on foreign relations gave the United
States second place among the naval
powers, this government having 81
battleships. one more than Germany
In armoured cruisers. Germany has
IA and the United States IL. The
combined tonnage Of battleships and
cruisers shows United States has 1877.
63S tons and Germany 76S.241.
Object to Stephenson Report.
Certain members of the senate com
mittee on privileges and elections are
not yet satisfied with the findings of
the subcommittee which Investigated
and exonerated Senator Stephenson of
Wisconsin on the charges growing
out Of his election and 1t is intimated
that a minority report may be filed
| with the senate.