The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1912-05-21
NEWS NOTES
From the Nations Capital, Of Interest to
West VirginianS.
(By George w. Summers)

''NoshhSo WV, vi JllS
West Virginia delegation in both
Houses of Congress have been
taking an active part in impor-
tant legislation, much of which
will affect West Virginia directly.
Some of this legislation has be-
come law while other measures
are still pending but with pros
poets of being passed by both
Houses. Senator Chiffon he
made speech within the last
few days in favor of the bill
making railroad companies liable
for the death or disability of en-
ployees meeting with accidents
in the performance of their
duties. He has also favored and
succeeded in passing through
the Senate an amendment to the
river and harbor bill providing
for a survey Of tie Kanawha
River with a view to giving it a
nine foot stage of water instead
of the present six foot stage.
The original plans for the i'm
provement of the Ohio River
called for a six foot stage and the
locks and dams in the Kanawha
River were of such size as would
conform 10 that plan. Changes
have been made. however, in the
Improvement of the Ohio River
so as to provide a nine foot stage
and Senator Chiffon believes tire
shippers of the Kanawha River
are entitled to the same depth of
water as the shippers of the Ohio
River. The House has disagreed
to the Semitic amendm ents to the
river and harbor bill and con-
ferees have been appointed. 1t
is believed, however, that the
provision for the survey of the
Kanawha River for the purpose
of ascertaining the cost of ex-
tending the improvement will be
agreed to by both Houses.
In his speech in favor of the
employers liability bill Senator
Chiffon became one Of the cham
pions of that measure. He spoke
for two hours and his Interrupt
tons were such as to make his
speech practically a running de-
bate. He answered every ques-
ton and met every argument and
undoubtedly made votes for the
measure. The bill is in the in
terest of employees of railroad
companies, thousands of whom
are injured every year during the
performances of their duties.
Senator Watson is taking an
active part in the consideration
of the metal schedule tariff bill.
For some time he has been en-
deavoring to have the tariff duty
on potatoes temporarily suspend
ed in order to reduce the cost of
that important article of food the
supply of which is now being inn
ported. Within the last few
days he has broadened the scope
of his proposition and has intro
duced an amendment to the pend
ing tariff bill providing that in
case of emergency the President
may at any time suspend the
tariff duty on any article for a
period not to exceed one year. A
general law of this kind would
protect the consumer in case of a
corner in American food products
or other articles of ordinary use.
Senator Watson expects to push
this amendment and will try to
have it adopted by the Senate.
The General Pension bill pro-
viding for both age and service
pensions has passed both Houses
and has been signed by the Pres.
ident. Congressman Hamilton
of West Virginia as a member oil
the House Committee on InvaliC
Pensions had a great deal to dC
with the preparation and pas
sage of the Sherwood bill. This
bill was amended by the Senate
and a compromise between tn,
two was reached by the confer
ence committee and adopted b,
both Houses. The bill provide
for a pension for all Union sol
diers of the Civil War who hav
reached the age of 81 years an,
, grades fho peneiOn ACCORDING T.