The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1912-02-29
CONGRESS HAS
A BUSY DAY
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
VOTES TO PROBE THE
MONEY COMBINE.
WAS NEARLY UNANIMOUS
To Investigate Proposed Panama Ca.
nal Tolis-eiil introduced by Sen
ator Poindexter to Abolish
Commerce Court.

Washington, Feb. 27.--An investiga-
ton to determine whether there is a
money trust" in the United States
operating through or in connection
with the national banks, was ordered
by the house by a vote of 27O to 8.
While Republican regulars and in
surgents protested that the inquiry as
proposed was sham" and a de
lusion." the Democratic forces united
in support Of compromise money
trust" resolution, and succeeded in Sc
curing all but eight Republican votes
In its support.
Usage Of Panama to Stife Rates.
In an effort to preserve and pro-
mote the interests of the government
by the protection and development of
full fair, open and profitable use of
the Panama canal by the ships of COM
merce and war of all people and all
nations the house interstate and for
eign commerce committee embarked
on a general investigation of charges
Of ship trusts, subsidies and other ru-
mors of improperly in the usage of
the canal after it is opened.
The resolution was introduced by
the chairman of the committee, Repre-
sentative Adamson, of Georgia. 1t re-
cited the need of thorough inquiry
into the charges that the canal will
be used by trans-continental railroads
to stifle competition in freight rates.
1t empowers the committee to call
the aid Of the government executive
departments to summon witnesses and
put them under oath and to get papers
and other information throwing light
on the matter The result of the in
vestigation will be in recommends
lions for laws appropriate to the needs
disclosed by the inquiry.
Would Abolish Trade Court.
Senator PoindeXter of Washington,
opened his campaign for the abolition
Of the commerce court by advocating
before the senate interstate COM
merce committee his bill to end the
courts existence. Senator Townsend
asked questions designed to show that
only those who opposed the creation
T..
Senator Clarke of Arkansas, declared
II the court did not change its atti-
tude he would favor limiting its pow
ers or abolishing it although he had
voted to create 1t.
Would Settle Land Titles.
WashingtOn.-Repr Steen-
erson introduced bill designed to
give relief to large number of set.
tiers in the White Earth reservation
by quieting the title to the $500 allot-
ments which have not been brought
into question by federal law suits.
There are now approximately 1900
allotments being challenged by the
governments, and because of this stu
alton the titles to all neighboring al
lotments have become clouded. 1t is
to remedy this situation that Mr..
Steenerson has introduced his bill
One provision of the bill is to the
effect that the federal authorities shall
have 80 days in which to bring suit
against any of the allotments affected
by his measure, but after that time,
no action can be brought against the
, title or the LANDS.
Appropriation High Dam Work.
Washington.-The river and harbors
appropriation bill contains an appro-
priation of $1,250,oo0 for continuing
the improvement of the Mississippi
river from st. Louis to Minneapolis,
and 100000 for containing construc-
ton of the high dam in the Mississippi
river in the vicinit oyf Minneapolis.
Other Minnesota items contained in
the bill are the following: Warroad
river, for maintenance of channel, 49,
200; Duluth harbor, for continuing i'm
provement at Superior entrance, $780,.
900; Red River of the North, $1,000,
for continuing improvements and for
resurvey looking toward additional i'm
provement; survey of old canal route
between Mississippi river and Lake
Superior with view to permanent i'm
provement, St. Croix river, to be sur
veyed for future Improvement
The bill carries $25,965,01O the
smallest amount since 1894.
The largest of the improvements
appropriated in the bill are $5,40O,O00
for the Ohio river and for the Missis-
sippi, $5,950,000; Missouri river, $780,
900; Delaware river, 100000, and
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