The Washington herald., 1914-08-12

The conferees Of the Senate and House
on the Federal trade commission bin.
failed to meet yesterday. They VIII begin
their work Of adjusting the difficulties be-
tween the two houses this morning.
A bill providing for the erection of fire-
proof building as an addition to the New
York Assay once. was passed by the
Senate. The total amount to be expended
for the improvements Is ss0. .ne.
The House Committee on AKriculture
continued hearings on the Lever bin for
the Federal Standardization Of the grades
Of cotton, with a view to steadying the
cotton market during the European war.
W. G. Turner, Memphis cotton factor.
suggested a temporary method Of ware.
housing to hold part Of this years
crop.
James F. Hunter. vice president Of the
Mercantile National Bank OF Memphis,
also made recommendations. The hear
ings will continue today when other cot
ton men will be heard.
The House adopted a special rule CIV
ing privileged status to the four Admin
istration conservation bills. Eighteen
hourr Of general debate was ordered on
the bills.
Senator Smith, Of Georgia, offered a
joint resolution authorizing the Secretary
Of the Treasury to Withhold from banks
In the cotton-growing States Of North
and South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama,
Mississippi Louisiana, Texas. oklahoma,
and Arkansas, nifty per cent Of the cur
rency which otherwise they could re-
ceive under the terms Of the act Of Au-
gust Z. 1914. extending the emergency
currency law. The Secretary Of the Trea-
sury is authorized to advance upon notes
secured by warehouse receipts for lint
cotton In bales for a term not to exceed
twelve months. Treasury notes to an
amount equal to ffty per cent Of the
emergency currency which could have
ton'growing States. The Secretary of the
Treasury. the Secretary OF Agriculture.
and the Secretary Of Commerce are TO
compose a board to regulate the issue OF
these notes.
Senator RamsdeIl. Of Louisiana. in the
Senate intdoduced Q bill designed to aid
the producers Of cotton and other staples
In the situation resulting from the Euro
pean war. The bill would amend the
banking and currency act 30 that emer-'
per cent Of prime commercial paper.
The bill would have warehouse re-
celpts and those Of other staple products
considered prime commercial paper and
authorize the issue Of currency to the
amount Of per cent OF their value
against these receipts. Another provision
OF the bill would insure to all State
banks becoming members Of the reserve
system participation IN the issue Of
emergency currency.
The House Naval Affairs Committee
decided to refer to q subcommittee for
Investigation and report the Weeks bill.
which has passed the Senate, to estab-
lish a mail and freight line to South
American ports by using certain of the
older naval cruisers and scout ships
Admiral Victor Blue. Chief Of the Bu-
reau Of Navigation. was before the Com
mittee in executive session today and
favored the experimental scheme.
Representatie Britten asked IL it would
not be the better policy for the United
States to buy some Of the foreign vessels
now tied up, instead OF using expensive
naval vessels for freight and mail ser
vice as suggested by the Navy Depart
ment. Admiral Blue admitted that II
might be cheaper.
The report on the Oldfielr bill, propos-
ing a general revision OF the patent laws.
was hled with the House The main pur-
pose OF the bill is TO expedite the grant
ing OF patents in order to prevent the
protection that is afforded some appli-
cants by the delay possible under ex-
isting law. The bill provides that in the
future. applicants for patents will be CIV
| en- only two years in which to present
| their cases, and there is a provision that
patents shall be acted upon without de-
lay The bill repeals that section Of exist
ing law that makes It unlawful for a
dealer TO sell a patented article az a
price less than that prescribed by the
maker.
An attack is made on the United Shoe
Machinery Company. The charge is made
! that this concern controls the shoe bust
ness Of the country through patents to
the detrimsnt OF smaller companies that
have been unable 10 obtain patented de
vices needed in this industry.
It is pointed out that there has been
no revision Of the patent laws since 1870
| The House received virtual notice thar
| an emergency tax bill. due to the Euro