The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1912-05-16
ABOL|SHES
COMMERCE COURT
MEASURE WOULD ALSO RESTORE
POWER TO THE INTER.
STATE COMMISSION.
SIMS LEADS THE FIGHT
River and Harbor Appropriation Bill,
Carrying ss4,oOo,ooo After Be-
Ing Amended BY Adding Items
Amounting to So, ,o0o.

Washington, d. C. - Revolutionary
proposals, such as have not been
grouped in any bill passed by the pres
ent session of congress, were adopted
by the house in the legislative, execu
tive and judicial appropriation bill.
The bill now proposes:
Abolition of the United States COM
merce court and the restoration to the
Interstate commerce commission of all
railroad regulatory power, subject to
appeal only to United States district
courts. Creation of a bureau of for
eign and domestic commerce with all
the present powers of the so-called
tariff board, to be under the jurisdic-
ton of the secretary of commerce and
labor.
Would Absorb Other Bureaus.
The new bureau would absorb the
bureau Of trade relations of the state
department and the bureaus of manu-
~facturers and statistics of the depart
ment Of commerce and labor.
Concentration of the distribution of
public documents, Of which millions
annually are Sent from Washington, in
the government printing Offices.
After a bitter fight the house de-
feated a proposal to abolish the minis
at San Francisco, New Orleans and
Carson City and the assay offices at
Boise, Idaho; Charlotte, N. c.; Dead.
wood, s. D.; Helena, Mont; Seattle,
Wash, and Salt Lake City, Utah.
The fight for the abolition of the
commerce court was led by Represen-
tative Sims of Tennessee (Dem.), who
framed the legislation abolishing that
tribunal. He was opposed by Repre-
sentative Driscoll of New York and
Stevens of Minnesota (Republicans),
but when the provision was adopted,
l20 to 40, many Republicans voted
with the Democrats.
River and Harbor Bill Passed.
The river and harbor appropriation
bill was passed by the senate, amend
ed to carry $4,000, 600 more than as
passed by the house and making a to-
tai of about $34, 900, 900. The principal
Increase was $500, 900 to the house
provision of $3,500,000 for improving
the Mississippi.
The balance Of the increase made
by the senate was composed mainly of
smaller amounts, principal among
them being Nantucket sound, $3.50, 900;
Jamaica bay, $500. 900; Allegheny riv-
er, $500, 600; Delaware river, $500, 900;
Cape Lookout, 100000; ST. Mary's
river, $500 1000; Chicago harbor, $780,
900; Ohio river, New Cairo, $3.50, 600;
Los Angeles harbor, 1927, $50.
Senator Burton took positive ground
against resumption of plans for the
Improvement OF the Missouri. If the
movement were to lower railroad
rates, he thought the interstate COM
merce commission might accomplish
that result.
Inquiry into charge of misconduct
against Judge Archibald of the com.
merce court will be resumed by the
house judiciary committee.
The committee will resume cues.
:ioning Edward j. Williams of Scran-
ION, Pa, who told of his alleged rela-
lions with Judge Archibald in a Culm
bank option transaction with the Erie
railroad while the railroads light
erage" case was before the commerce
court and OF another transaction in
which the judge was alleged to have
given a note for $500 in payment for
an interest in an option of Venezuela
timber lands.
The committee also will investigate
a transaction in which Judge Archibald
and a man named Dainty negotiated
with the Lehigh Valley road for Culm
banks to be sold at a large profit, as
was the plan with the Culm dumps
solicited from the Erie railroad.
A strong defense of Secretary Slim
son on an attack on the majority OF
the house military affairs committee
for it's report on the circumstances
which led to the retirement of Adju.
tant General Ainsworth after a threat
ened court martial, were contained in
a report submitted to the house by
the minority members of the commit
tee.
Washington, ID. c. - Senator Mel
son and his colleagues of the sub
committee of the senate judiciary com
mittee are having C lively contest over
the question as to federal restriction:
upon the sale and shipment of liquor
into prohibition states. Mr.. Nelson's
subcommittee. composed of the Min
nesota senator as chairman. and Sen
ators Dillingham; Of Vermont; Boral
of Idaho: Bacon Of Georgia, and Ray
ner Of Maryland, have divided. bu
not on political lines. and three o
the committee. including Chairman
Nalson have renorted to the full com