The Alaska citizen., 1914-01-19
DO|NGS At
WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON, d. c, Jan. 12.-
senator Henry f. Ashurst, of Ari-
IONA, is the author of a resolution
which was introduced in the senate
this afternoon, providing for a con
gressional investigation of conditions
in the Michigan copper belt. In in
PRODUCING the measure, Senator AS
hurst said he had no doubt the depart
ment of labor officials had reported
the situation correctly. but he wanted
congress to act Independently for
the reason that he believed the find
ing of a regularly-appointed commit
tee would have greater weight with
the lawmakers and with the public
enerally.
President Wilson has been closeted
with the members of his cabinet the
reater part of the afternoon, the
meeting having been called for the
urpose of discussing the antitrust
legislation which congress shortly will
be asked to enact.
The President read rough draft
of his forthcoming message on the
subject, after which the administra
ton officials discussed a length the
various phases of the question.
The name of John 5. Williams, who
t at present assistant secretary of
the treasury, was sent to the senate
this afternoon for confirmation as
comptroller of the currency.
Debate on the Alska railroad bill
vas opened this afternoon by Senator
George f. Chamberlain, of oregon,
who is acting as sponsor for the mea-
sure. He quoted figures showing the
total amount which has been pro-
uced by Alaska since the purchase of
the territory, and compared the vast
sum with the purchase price and the
amount which has since been APP
'ropriated for the maintenance of
she territory. With a balance of nearly
s4O0. 100000 to the credit of Alaska,
the senator argued that it was up to
the government to provide means for
the further development of the terri
.ory. which has reached the maximum
of development under present condi
tons.
Senator Cummins, of Iowa, also
spoke in favor of the measure, sug
testing that it might be advisable
the coal mines, operate its own rail
road and a fleet of government coal
Noats for the distribution of fuel
among the various ports south of AL
aSka.
Speaking of the outlook for the bill,
after the session. Senator Chamberlain
expressed the belief that no serious
delay would be met with in it's final
assage.
The bill will come up for considera-
ton in the house of representatives
tomorrow.
WASHINGTON, D. C. Jan. IA
Appalled, at the magnitude of the
disaster which was reported from the
Orient yesterday, President Wilson has
cabled condolences to the Japanese
emperor in the name of the American
people
President Wilson and a number of
the leaders of both houses of con
aress were in conference this after
noon over the proposed changes in
the antitrust laws which will be
urged in the executives forthcoming
message It is expected that the
message will be completed during the
| coming week and that the proposed
| legislation will be taken up immedi-
ately after the disposition of the AL
| aska railroad bill
Speaking of the probable effect of
the new currency and tariff laws on
the business of the country. Floor
Leader Underwood, in speech to-
day in the lower house of congress,
| predicted an industrial awakening in
the very near future, which would
tut the panic preachers to shame.
He produced figures to show that
| the business of the nation had in
creased considerably during the past
year. and he DECLARED that a further
and rapid increase would follow the
adjustment of business to conform
to the new laws.
Representative Frank w. Mondell, of
| wyoming, is the author of a bill pro.
| iHin% for the leasing of Alaska coal
lands. The measure was introduced
by Mr., Mon1ell this afternoon.
| WASHINGTON. D. c.. Jan. 10
| 1t is reported on good authority this
afternoon that President Wilson is in
receipt of letter from Colonel Roose-
Welt requesting the release of James
| A. Tawney as chairman of the United
| States section of the international
| Joint commission. The letter also
asks that George Turner, of Spokane.
| former senator from the state of
/ WASHINGTON. be retained as a member
of the commission. 1t is not known
on what grounds the release of Taw-
ney is asked.
! The report is in circulation in Off
cal circles today that President Will
son has practically decided to appoint
George w. Goethals civil governor of
| the Panama canal zone.
The nomination of John S. Williams
as comptroller of the currency was
| confirmed by the senate this after
noon. At present Williams is assis-
tant secretary of the treasury.
Charles G. Kirby, age 20. of Kan
sas City. weighs 1913 pounds. is now
six feet nine inches tall. and last
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