The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1913-02-07
WASHINGTON.
Legislative and Gem
eral Topics from
the Capital.
Washington, FEBRUARY l, 1912.

VI VII Slilli, Atltli liltll vi tilG IiOANC ShlT
rency Reform Committee. returned from
Trenton optimistic over the outlook fot
legislation early in the Wilson admins
tration but sure the President. elect has
not determined on immediate action.
81 don't be ieve Mr.. Wilson has made
up his mind just what should be done
during the extra session." Mr.. Glass
said, 81 think he will await develop
ments. If he thinks the time ripe for cur
rency legislation he will recommend it,"
Mr.. Glass said he found his views in
accord with those of the PreSident-elect.
Recently Mr.. Glass indicated favoring a
system of regional reserve banks with a
central board in Washington
Committee hearings will continue
through the present session, but If the
wishes of Chairman Glass are followed
no report will be made. Mr.. Glass fav-
ors getting all the information possible
for the new Congress.
The cigar and tobacco trade of the
country seems to be greatly excited by
reports going ont from Washington that
the Ways and Means Committee, in its
| revision of the tariff laws, means to ex-
tend its overhauling to the internal reve-
; nue. laws, as well. with the object OF in
| creasing the revenues by raising the in
ternal revenue taXess on tobacco, cigars
and cigarettes. Several representatives
! OF cigar manufacturers and tobacco-rais-
ers' associations were in Wash ngton
| seeking interviews with members OF
Ways and Means and asking the aid Of
the Representatives from their States
and districts, with view to heading off
| the supposed movement to lift the to-
bacco and cigar taxes. Members are
also receiving urgent letters and tele
grams protesting against the proposed
increase of taxes.
Representatives of the cigar and to-
bacco men who succeeded in seeing
Chairman Underwood, of Ways and
Means, were told that the committee has
not decided to increase the internal reve-
nue. taxes on tobacco and cigars. Rep
resentative Palmer gave similar assur-
anceS.
President Taft unconditionally pardon
ed r. A. Porter, convicted at Guthrie,
Okla, OF conspiracy in using the mails to
deiraud Porter was convicted with l.
L. Stanley and \. !. Kline and sentenced
to one year in connection with the sell
ing of town lots in Boise City. The
President held that Porter, who has not
4 served any of his sentence, was innocent.
American suffragists, as represented by
the National Woman's Suffrage Congress
sional Committee. stationed here indicat-
ed that they will not follow the course of
their sister suffragettes in England
Winning their way against constant
opposition by the force of public opinion,
smiles and reasoning rather than by
breaking windows and destl 10Y ing public
property, the women have so far got
everything they have asked for" said
the equal suffrage leaders.
First, they had trouble in getting use
of Pennsylvania avenue for the process
sion. then they had opposition against
holding street meetings, and then they
were opposed in their efforts to get
grandstands for their procession. They
have won every time"
Legislation for the physical valuation
Of all railroad property, will be attempted
at this session of Congress, and the La
Toilette bill win be ordered favorably re-
ported by the Senate Committee on In
terstate Commerce The report will be
prepared by Senator Townsend.
| The Interstate Commerce Commission
took no action on the physical valuation
measure. although il was apparent that a
majority strongly approved it.
The LaFollette bill provides that the
Interstate Commerce Commission shall
ascertain the value of all property used
by every common carrier Authority is
given to EN- 2loy expert engineers and all
necessary assistants. The method of pro-
cedure shall be prescribed by the com
mission.
The committee discussed the report
now being arranged by Senator Cum
minis on proposed legislation supplement-
ing and amending the Sherman Anti.
Trust act Ii is based on the great mass
OF TESTIMONY taken during the comrfe-
heusive hearings last year a series of
recommendations have been presented
by Senator Cummns.
The comml;tee will try to reach an
agreement on them There are SO many
differences OF opinion regarding the wis
dom or necessity for modifying or
S'reug ,henlng the Sherman law hat il IS
doubtful whether an Approximately uuan-
imOuS conclusion can be reached. ul-
| cations are tina, number OF reports viii
be submitted, each covering wide range
Of opinions.
President and Mrs. Taft gave the last
set dinner of their four Years in he White
House in honor OF Speaker Clark More
han 10 Senator'S and Representatives.
including most of the Republican and
Democratic leaders, broke bread with
the President at this final formal affair.
A musicale followed the dinner
Preparations for changing the designs
Of all American currency and reducing
the size of paper money by one-thrd
were practically finished by the Treasury
Department.
The design for the back Of the notes,
BY Kenyon Cox. Of New York, was &C.
copied by Secretary MacVeagh subject
TO approval by the Fine Arts Commis-
sion. Simple and artistic" is the De-
partments Characterization of the de-
sign which consists Of allegorical figures
representing America, y Peace"
PLENTY" Labor" and Commerce"
The Treasury practically has finished
a design for the face of the notes. A Wig
nette of Washington will be on the S.
note. Portraits for the other denomlna.
tons have not been chosen.
! Notice that the Oregon Legislature on
| January % approved the proposed consti.
tutonal amendment for the direct election
of Senator's has been received at the State
! Department. This makes ten States
which have approved the amendment,
/ Idaho having acted on the 3Ist.
The rapidity with which Legislatures
are now acting has suggested the posi-
bility, though remote. of its actual rati6-
! catinn hafOr. tl1a ttCon,.. Ia ,,,,anAr,a,t