The Progressive West Virginian. [volume] (Williamson, W. Va.) 1911-1913, 1912-06-06

FROM WASHINGTON.
George W. summers.

uhys ago 10 prontDlL the use OF WeSl
Virginia coal by the vessels of the
United States Navy stationed in Pa.
cific waters, but 1t was prevented by
the watchfulness and successful eff.
forts Of West Virginia Democrat
in Congress. Congressman Humph,
rey Of the state Of washington, Of
fered as an amendment to the ma
val appropriation bill a provision
that none Of the money appropriated
by this bill should be used for the
transportation of coal from the
eastern part OF the United States to
the Pacific Coast for use in the Ma
| w. This amendment was offered
by Mr.. Humphrey in the House dur
ing the last Congress when West
Virginia had five Republican Con-
gressmen. Not one of them oppos-
ed the amendment and it was
adopted by the House, prohibiting
the use of any West virginia coal
by the Navy for its vessels along the
Pacific Coast. The bill then went
to the Senate where Senator. Watson
succeeded in having the amendment
removed from the bill and q market
for several million dollars worth of
coal a year was saved to the coal
operators of the New River and Po-
cahontas fields in West Virginia, who
had been supplying this coal. This
year Mr.. Humphrey renewed his
amendment and Congressman Adam
B. Littlepage took up the fight in
behalf of West Virginia coal and
against the Humphrey amendment.
knowing the matter was to come
up for discussion several days after
the amendment was offered, Mr..
httlepage spent the intervening
time explaining the situation to
members of Congress and as soon as
the matter came up in the House he
had several pages to go to the tele-
phone and begin calling UP members
who had promised to vote against
the amendment. He also made a
speech against the amendment
which was defeated by a vote of 81
to 81. This means the sale OF sew
|eral million tons of coal from the
New River and Pocahontas fields
during the coming year, and is the
second time that this market has
been saved lowest Virginia opera
tors by Democrat representing
West virginia in the National Con-
gress.
Senator Watsons amendment to
the steel tariff bill providing that
the President shall have power to
suspend any tariff duties for a pc
Rod OF not more than one year in
case of emergency, was withdraw
by him at the request OF members of
the Senate Finance Committee, who
explained that it was Of such import
ance that the Committee would like
to consider it further before recon-
mending or opposing it. 1t is be-
lieved the committee will consider
the amendment and that It may be
added to one Of the other tariff bills
which will be taken up by the Senate
very soon.
Senators watson and Chiffon in
addition to their duties u the Sen
ate and as MEMBERS OF Committees
have had multitude of smaller
matters on their hands in the last
week. Senator Watson as Chair
man of sub committee, has made
favorable report upon his bill re-
qufring standard barrel for the
packing and shipping of apples.
This bin is favored by the West
| Virginia fruit growers and Senator
Watson expects to get it through the
Senate unless it is crowded out by
appropriation bills and an early ad-
ljournment. Senator Watson has
introduced an amendment to the
war claims bill providing for the
payment of a war claim Of $2O35 to
Harmon w. Hessen of Martinsburg.
He has introduced bill to correct
the military record Of George w.
Tribbett of Cameron and bill to
provide pension for Jane Lutz of
| Wheeling. He has obtained a con.
tinuance of the temporary appoint
ment of DR.. w. G. Waggoner of
Parkersburg, as acting assistant
surgeon in the marine hospital SER
vice in New York. He has succeed
ed in having postoffice established
at the mine OF the Long Flame Coal
Company near Craneco, Logan coun-
ty. He has obtained favorable re-
port from the Senate Committee on
Congressman Hamilton,s bill to re-
move the charge OF desertion from
the record of William 2. Norman.
Senator Chiffon, made an argu-
ment a few days ago before the
Senate Committee on Judiciary in IA
vor of his bill authorizing various
states to sue the government for the
portion of the proceeds from the sale
OF the northwest territory to which
they may be entitled. He introduc-
ed a bill providing for the payment
of a war claim of $500 to Mrs. C.
A. Smith of st. Albans. He intro
dnced Douglas Brown of Hunting
ton, to the Supreme Court and rec
commended that he be admitted to
practice before that body. He &C
comipanied Bert Stathers Of Weston
to the Department of Agriculture
where he desired to obtain certain
information of interest to the farm
ers of Lewis County, which was Civ
en- him at the request of Senator