The Semi-Weekly Times-Democrat from New Orleans, Louisiana • Page 23

E-fee gtmi-MtcItlg Cimts-gnnotrat: Euesbag, Jtbnnn? 2S, 1905; procuring favorable action by the Senate 1 ineas-ire will pas the House, hut none costing 1.215.IW7.19. The balance of liver Imilion purchased under the act gress can not delegate to the commission authority to fix tlie water rates on the ocesu except within the threc-ruHe limit." iiBniu ii 61 III II II Rivers and Harbors Bill Looks Like Realization. July 14. im. on hand Jane 30, 1304, as fine ounce I-nder the act nf Mnrch 14.

1300, B8 amended by the act of Mareh l'03, the Secretary of the Treasury was authorized to use the silver bullion parchased under the act of lWi to coin ssbsldlary silver without limitations as to the amount of si'ch coin outstanding. To meet the Increasing demand for small silver pieces, Mr. Shaw deemed it advisable to set aside the balance of the silver bullion on hind June 30. 1004. aeaclred under the act of 1830, for that purpose.

The small number or silver dollars coined aunug the fiscal rear 1H04 was due to the large coinage of gold required to be executed during that year, amounting to lJl.tiI,- 642.50. In addition mere was a large amount of coinage for the Philippine gov-eminent. VEEZIELAX SITUATION. Castro'a Special A seat Corrects Mltapprekeasiaa. Washington, Feb.

23. To actjnaint Sec retary Hay with the merits of the as phalt controversy in Venezuela from President Casfo's point of Tlew, Dr. Jose De Jesns Paul, confidential agent for Castro, to-day called on Secretary Hay Dr. Taul's statement that the recent actionof the Veneauelaii Supreme Court on the appeal of the American Asphalt Oompatiy was only on a collateral issue and did net amount to a final disposition of the case on Its merits, corrected a misuuriereianmiic that existed at the State Ueoartmeiit and suggested ttie pos sibility of a (satisfactory legal adjustment of the asphalt controversy. COST OF WAR AXD AFTERMATH.

Favarnble Report Ordered ea te Bartfcoldt laaalrr Washington. Feb. 23. The House Committee cn Labor to-day authorized a subcommittee to report to the House that the Bartholdt resolution calling on the Department of Commerce and Labor to compile statistics as to the cost of wars In ail countries since the year 1900, the amount paid for pensions as the re sult of such wars, amount of property destroyed on land and tea, the cost of maintaining armies and navies. Indirect expenses and damages and number of killed and wounded.

OSAGE OIL LASD LEASES. Hoaae Adopta Sabstltate for Ste phens Rcaolatloa of Inquiry. Feb. House committee on Indian affairs to-day drafted a substitute for the Stephens resolution of Inquiry directed to the Secretary of the Interior regarding the Foster lease of Oaage Indian oil lands, and author ized the reporting of the substitute. The language of the substitute is that the "Secretary of the Interior la hereby requested to furnish the House with all convenient speed a copy of the leas made between James Bigheart (the chief of the Osage Nation of Indians) and Edwin B.

Foster on the lth day of March, 1896, and a copy of the departmental approval thereof; also copies of all forms of sub leases granted under said lease; also a Ust of all subleases which have been submitted to the Interior Department and approved and a list of all leases which have been submitted to the department and which have not been approved: and also ail documents and correspondence pertaining thereto." The draft of the Inquiry was made on suggestion In the committee that the Stephens resolution contained In quiries on matters which the House bad no right to ask. The substitute was subsequently adopted by the House. SATAL PROGRAMME. Seaate Comaalittee lacreaaea the Hoaae Approprtatiaaa. Washington.

Feb. 23. The naval appropriation bill as agreed trpon by the Senate committee to-day carries 338.879, an Increase of $422,520 over the House bill. For Increasing the number of petty officers and men of the marine corps S3O5.00O Is added. The limit of cost of each of the colliers and scout cruisers authorized by the last naval appropriation bill are Increased to and respectively.

The limit of cost of the sailing training vessel authorized by the act of March 190S, Is Increased to $410,000 each. A provision was Inserted authorizing the Secretary of the Navy to bring suit for the purpose of obtaining Judicial determination of the ralidlty of United States patents covering a process for treating armor plate known aa the Harvey process. INAUGURATION. AUDITORIUM. Project Vader Dtsraaaloa la tae City of Waabtagtoa.

Washington, Feb. 23. At to-day's meeting of the Inaugural committee, a special committee of five was appointed to take op the project of constrnctlng a permanent auditorium for Inaugural festivities. Eleven Governors of States have given notice thus far of their Intention to participate la the Inaugural ceremonies. The plans of the Inaugural committee practically bare been completed and Gen.

Wilson, the chairman, and those associated with him are devoting their time to concluding details. The military grand division which heretofore hae accompanied the President from the White House to the Capitol, will not do so this year. The only parade wld be from the Capitol to the White House and up to street, where the troops will be reviewed by the grand marshal and dismissed. The tickets for the Inaugural ball, March 4. continue to sell rapidly.

The supper room at the bail will be opened at 8 o'clock thst evening Instead of 1" o'clock, as on former inaugurations. This will enable persona to go to the Pension building and have suptier before tne arrival of the President's party. RATE REGULATION. Flik Before the Seaata Committee. Washington, Feb.

23. Stuyvesant Fish, president of the Illinois Central Railroad, read a statement before the Senate Committee on Interstate Commerce, which has the railroad rate bill under consideration. Several members of the committee desired Mr. Fish to discuss the subject of differentials, and he consented to return to Washington at some day convenient to the committee and give his views. Mr.

Fish gave an exhaustive review of the changes that railroad securities have undergone La various parts of the country, calling attention particularly that a great majority of stock is held In the United States, whereas a number of years ago It waa held abroad. Discussing the Escn-Towosend bill, he devoted considerable time to the subject of the practical as well as the constitutional difficulties that would be encountered by the Interstate Commerce Commission If It attempted to arbitrarily fix railroad rate according to the anthortt given It by The bill. Mr. Fish sail that io iix rquuai'ee ruirn ion woum not discriminate In favor of one port as against another, the commission would have to take into considers tlon the railroad rates Canada and Mexico and the water rates from ports of the United States to porta abroad. "This can not be done by the Interstate Commerce Commission or as? other body of men." Mr.

Fish asserted." "The Con- ii in ka Beat Cunch BxniD. Taua Caa gitj si ail during tlie present session upon ine Din repealUig the duties on all articles imported iuto the United States from the Philippine Islands, except sugar and tobacco, and reducing the duty on these articles to 25 per cent or the Dingley rates, it has been decided to abandon all serious attempts to get this blU through the present session. Some time ago Secretary of War Taft would have accepted fur the present a compromise by which the duties on sugar and tobacco should be made CO per cent of the Dingley rates, but it was then Impossible to secure the agreement of all the members of the Senate to this. When the matter Is taken up in the next session, there will be no disposition on the part of Secretary Taft and of his supporters In Congress to agree to any compromise. They will not accept anything less favorable to the Philippines than a reduction of the sugar and tobacco duUea to 25 per cent of the Dingley rates, and a strong effort will probably be made to have these duties entirely repealed.

The House of Representatives on Toes-day passed the bin providing for the provisions of the law fixing the rate cf duty on Imports into the Philippine Islands. The bill was passed practically as it came from the committee aad with but little discussion. There was no especial opposition to it, although amend ments coming from the Democratic aide designed to put certain produce re on the free list met with defeat. An effort to prohibit the Importation of opium Into the Islands, except for medical purposes, also failed. Mr.

Payne (Sew York), ex plained that the Philippine Commission waa dealing with the subject la its own way. Though one or two Senators would have It In ihetr power at this stage of the ses sion to hold up the bill In the Senate, it is believed that it will pass that body and become a law before March 4. WESTERS LAXD FRAUDS. Presideat Takes Active Haad la Presecatioa. Washington, Feb.

23. As the result of conferences held at the White House to day with President Roosevelt, further development In the land fraud casea In Oregon and California may be expeced at lo distant day. Since the first steps were taken looking to the prosecutioa of the alleged offenders, the President has shown keen Interest In the Investigations which have been made and the In dictments which followed. WIU the view of acquainting himself with the situation as it exists up to the present time the Prsident to-day was In close conference with Secretary Hitchcock, Attorney Gen eral Moody and Special Attorney F. J.

Htnny, and discussed the evidence so far ga.hered. Later in the day he held a second conference, at which were present Secretary Hitchcock. Mr. Henny and Secret Service Inspector William D. Burns, who was active in bringing about a number of the arrests.

At this latter meeting. It Is understood. a plan of action waa mapped out and the statement was made to-night that It seed no; occasion surprise If further arrests are ordered. MORGAN'S IDEA. Kot Monroe Dectrlae, Needed la Saata DoaalaaT.

Special to The Times-Democrat. Washington. Feb. 23. Senator Morgan's protest against the administration's course In San Domingo, filed with the Senate Foreign relations Committee, does not concern Itself so much with the pending treaty or protocol as with Mr.

Roose velt's Interpretation of the Monroe doc trine- Mr. Morgan holds that the doctrine does not apply to the present case In any par- tlculnr. If this conn try Intends to straighten the island's Internal and for eign affairs, Mr. Morgan favors the nss of warships, the landing of aa armed body, and forcible possession, as the proper method. The protocol will be considered by the Senate Committee at the special session after March 4.

Because of the rash of other business, sentiment baa not 'de veloped fully as to the advisability of ratifying the protocol, but at this time Senators Morgan and Bacon are Its only avowed opponents. Roughly speaking, the DemorraUc attitude is not markedly friendly. Members of the Foreign Relations Committee are getting some Interesting Information about control and Southern American finance, tbe method of floating loans, and the character of tbe European leaders who engage In tbe enterprises. Senators have been struck with tbe comparatively small amount of actual cash that a bond Issue of ssy $10,000,000 may yield. Tbe pnbllo Indebtedness of the Domini can republic, not Including ail el alma.

In September last, as the State Department Is advised, was Just how much money the San Domingo government got In return for assuming this obligation is to be determined. A member of the committee said to-day, basing his belief on other cases of American financiering, that foreign creditors nght settle for Ave or tlx millions, and still make a fair profit on their Investment. The committee has heard of one case, yet to be verified where $719,000,000 was settled for $8,000,000. It Is related thst Castro was oace of fered to Issue $10,000,000 la bonds, and then leave the eourtry. The Foreign Relations Committee Is seeking exact information concerning these snd other similar reports that have reached here.

The committee Is disposed to move cautiously before committing the country to any plan that would seem to put ns in the position or guaranteeing the in deb edaess of our volatile southern neigh Dors. WERE NOT ALL SMUGGLED. Dwty Fald on Some of Mrs. Chad wick's Jewels. Washington.

Feb. 23. Collector of Cus toms u. r. Leach of Cleveland was the Treasury Department to-day and ported to Secretary Shaw that an'rtes at the New Tork evrstom house tended to show that the emeralds which once belonged to Mrs.

Chad wick and now in the possession of the Comptroller of tne i urrency were not smuggled Into the country expected. It Is nnd trd that thm it 4 .1 1 er sold aa an asset of the failed bank, where ne m- iw loan. Ir-RICESI OF TOBACCO. Coaitressaiaa Kekoe Waatt a De partmeat lavestlaar la. Washington, Feb.

23. Representative jvtnoe n.y.j introduced a resolution today for an Investigation by the Dcpsrt- B-ent of Commerce and Labor as to the cause of the difference between the price of leaf tobacco and the manufactured article, especially In Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee, and whether the same la due to a trust or combination In th form of a conspiracy In restraint of trade. It in aesirea 10 xnow what has caused the low price of leaf tobacco, and whether there Is any corporation or joint stock company engaged In handling tobacco, wtether such companv awes foe boycott or blacklist in its purchases or has taken any measures to prevent competition. The resolution reqtilres a full InvestlgR- cwjioraiion or joint stock cvuipai.y. Maeeakeaaa Eatertala.

London, Feb. 24. The Maccabeans. the most represtatrve Jewish club In London, gave a dinner and reception yesterday evening to M. Orleneff, Mme.

Xasimoff an! the other members of the Russian theatrical companv, previous to their de-fa-tnre fr America with the play "The Chosen People." natever tnat it win oe considered by tbe Senate. The second bill Is concerned with im. -orts Into the Philippines from all coun- nes. wz.s drawn by the Philippine romnUsion, and its most Important is a reduction of the duties on iprlciltural machinery. I- was approved Secretary Taft and passed bv th Huw.

The Senate eormiiUee has au- horled a favorable reptrt on the Mil, ind Lodre will endeavor to get a rote In the jpner chamber before the nd 3t the session. His success I de pendent upo3 -hanec, and the finding of a avorauie opening in the crowded calen dar. CorerefiS is lukewarm neon hit riilUr pine gisla I. n. and, while there Is no speclil opposition to the Becond bill.

It will iave to be aggressively pushed to be got through. PATVEST IS ESJOISED. Salt to Restrain Paraaeat af f750.onn Fee. Washirgtcn, Feb. 24.

Hearing was be gun in the Equity Court here to-day on the application of Uicbard McLlsb. a Chickasaw Indian, for an Injunction against the Secret ry of the Treasury, Secretary o. the Interior and the Treas urer of the I nlted States. McLlsh seeks to restrain tb payment out ef funds now in tie Treaury of the United States belonging to tie Choctaw and Chickasaw natiens of a fee of to a firm ef attorneys who were awarded the fee by the Choctaw-Chickasaw Citizenship Court for services rendered the Indians In cltl-zensln cus In their return to the nle to show cause why a a injunction sLoul 1 not sue, the attorneys interested claim that In pursuance, of their contract with the Indlhns the- filed 3t2 sni against fraudulent cla! uurts to lands of tae Indians and reoveied for thf-m propertv valued at J2u.U,. The Indian nations, by their coTtrtct of employment.

It Is said. agreed tj pay tbe attorneys a fee of 9 per cent of the value of tilt property recovered, but tie cltixensliip court cut down the eoniswmatlon. It ii claimed on behalf of tie resp leuts that not oniy were the hear.ngs had publicly, but that the Gov-erno-s of oth the Ind an nations had satisfied the court that they were satis- tied with tre contract made witn tne at torneyg and desired the full amount compensative called for by the court to be paid. SASTA FE AXU COLORADO COAL Ha mo a aad Jadeoa Stadylas; Up tbe Case. Washington.

Feb. 23. Former Attorney General Hrmoa of Clnrlnnatl and Mr. Judson of the St. Lorls bar, recently appointed to represent the government In the matter of the charges made against the Atchison, Topeka and Fe Rail road of giving rebates to certain shippers in violation of law, cal ed at the Department of Justice to-day and had long coafereace with Attorney General Moody.

Tbey will remain In Washington about a we, and during their stay will thoroughly examine the evidence already takes in tie -matter by tbe Interstate Commerce Commission, whiclx recently decided agilist the company and will decide tpor. their course of action after going over tils mass of detail. CIVIL WAR JUBILEE. Prooosltloa to Celebrate Sena! Ctatesnlal la 191IS. Washington, Feb.

23. A peace Jubilee to celetrat the fiftieth anniversary of the close of the civil war was proposed to President Roosevelt t-day by Newel Sanders of Chattanooga, who, with L. Sharp, al of Chattanooga, had an interview with the President Mr. Sunrers suffj-eMed that the jubilee exposition be teld at Chattanooga in 1913, as manr of the great battles if the war were fought In the vicinity of that city. Cost of Army Maaeavers.

Wrshlngton. Feb. 24. Secretary Taft to-day transmitted to the Honw a statement showing the total cost of the Joint encampment and maneuvers of the militia and regular army for the past year. Th maneuvers at Manassas cost the State militia organizatlooa $44.043 and the regular army $105.131.

In California the (Oft to th mlllt'a was $24,00 and the army $JKTO. In Washington State the mliitia expended T32 and tbe irmr $i471. The statement contains an item of for Pulliaaa car fare for offl-cers. SIMPL0N IS PIERCED TWELVE-MILE CUT THROUGH A 31 ALPISE MOUJSTAI.V. Faet May Have Important Bearing oa Project to Deflect Ckaarrea River Sarplaa fcy DrlvtnaT Taa-ael Uader Oat of the Psaaa Moaa tales.

Washington, Feb. 24. The Stata Department to-day received the following cablegram atout the completion of the Simrion tunnel from-Col aul Washington at Genera: "Simplon pierced. Kews reculved with general rejoicing and firing of aalutes." Th? successful outcone of this engineering feat may have aa Important bearing upon the project of Chief Engineer Wallace of the Panama Canal to make that wtterway a sea level canal by driving a tunael four miles lorg under a mountain to divert the surplus waters mt the Chagres river. DESPITE MAST OBSTACLES.

Work lavelved Overeeialajr Great EalaeertaaT Difllcaltlea, Goado, Switzerland, Ftb. 24. Piercing of the Simplon tunnel through the Alps was concpletel at 7:20 oVkx-k thia morning. Tbe work was commenced la lJWl The meeting of the tw boring parti (Swl's and Italian) was signaled through-out Switzerland by ringing of church bells and salutes by carnoo. Many unexpected obstacles were encountered, tte most serious being hot sprlrgs, wtieh threatenel to wreck the whole enterprise, and a temperature which at one time roe to 1.11 degrees Fahrenheit, making a eottinuaice of the work lmws-iilde until tbe engineers found means of ck ling the atmonpbern.

Now taat the borers have met It will enable water accmaulattd in the north gallery to ie drawn off. The work of preparing the tunael for a permanent way will be pushed as rapidly as possible, and it is Loped to inaugurate abtut March 20. Tlie plerrlrg of the Slirplon la regarded as being one of the great engineering achievements of the age. Many difficulties were encountered snd overcome. The length of the tunnel from Hrtga la Switzerland, to Iselle on the Italian fade of tae mounio Is abort twelve miles.

Wors was txgua over sevea years ago, and according to contract the tunnel must be ready for ou ilty 15 next. The Swiss aad Italian governnjints Jointly finacced tbe undertaking, share and share alike, at the cot of SIH.OW.OOO. As soon ar tSe boring la thoroughly completed an1 the tra-k laid, a smaller tunnel be construe ted, parallel to the large on, which will be Increased In ze so a-i to permit of traflc both ways at the 4im time. A. P.J lateraatlonal Rejolcta-.

Be-ne, Switzerland, Fe. 24. President Bticlett sett congratulatory messages by telegraph to King Victor Emmanuel and Premier ttl to-day on the piercing of the Simplon Mountain, expressing the hope that th- great wort would further strergthJn tre inenasaip between Italy snd Switze-innd and add to their proa- peritr. Has Sto.d the Test 2S Years. GKOV'2'8 TASTKLES3 CHILL TO.TIf.

The fim and original tasteless thill tonic. ceais. ii Mr. Morgan's Attitude on the Statehood Issne. Delays Action on Tiat Bill and cn Canal Legislation.

Vote on Swayno Impeachment May Be Taken Monday. Many Measures 1TI11 3ie in the Congressional Congestion. Speaker Cannon Enraged in Effort to Show Eouse That He la Greater Than tie Majority. Washington, Feb. 24.

The time of the Senate to-day was divided between the Swayne impeachment trial and the motion of Mr. Beverldge to appoint conferees on the Joint statehood bill. In the Swayne case Messrs. Perkins, Clayton and Powers made arguments In behalf of the prosecu tion, and Mr. Higglns responded in Judge Swayne's behalf, leaving; Mr.

Thnrston still to speak for Judge Swayne and Messrs. Dearmond and Palmer for the House. The trial will ba resumed at 10 o'clock to-morrow. It is the expectation of the Senators who are managing the impeachment trial of Judge SwayDe that an agreement wiil be made to-morrow to take a vote on Monday. Mr.

Morgan antagonised the motion to aj point conferees on the statehood bill. snd held the floor In opposition when the Senate adjourned for the day. He ad mitted that he was trying to dafeat any action, rather than have hasty action In so Important a matter. A direct result to-day was the failure cf tbe Senate to appoint conferees on the Panama Cana bill, to the Senate amendments of which the House to-day refused to concur. The House met at 11 o'clock to-day, and Immediately thereafter Mr.

Hull of Iowa presented a further conference report on the army appropriation till, which under the rule was ordered to be printed before being taken up. A number of pension bills from the Senate were considered, 125 belcg passed. By unanimous consent the following bills were psssed: Amending the revised statutes so that stockholders holding five shares of stock In any national bank with $25,000 capital may be eligible as directors. Confirming the title of H. Glbts Morgan and others to Cat Island, Gulf of Mexico.

Authorizing the construction of two bridges across the Ashley river in Charles and Dorchester counties. South Carolina. Also the following Joint resolutions: Authorizing a change In the name of the regular Army and Navy Union of the United States tj the Army and Navy Union of the United States of America. Providing for taedala of honor to Union soldiers who in 1863, after the expiration of their terms of service, vilunteered for temporary service In Maryland and Pennsylvania, and who received no pay. The Senate amendments to the Panama Canal government bill were disagreed to, and it wan sent to conference, Messrs.

Hepburn Mann (111.) and Adamson Ga.) being appointed manageri on tne part of the Hotse, CASS OS FIGHTS THE HOUSE. Speaker Set AsaJaat tke Paklle Bat dlags BUI. Special to The T.mee-Democrat, Washington, Feb. 24. Speaker Cannon la engaged in I roving, for the education of an amazed and resentful House, that a part is greater thaa the whole.

The members are learning the lesson with bitter grace. The public buddings bill Is the medium for the Speaker's disapproval of the mathematical txtotn. Mr. Cannon ha set bla face against the bill, and is determined that it shall not pass. He la making vse of all the legislative devices at his command to insure that end.

He desires to stave off a Eepubllcen caucus and to curb an incipient mutiny. Surface relations between the Speaker and his flock remain unrestrained, and, unless a blunder la made, there will be no open outbreak. A compromise. It waa reported to-day, a I'! he suggest to Mr. Cannon to strike cv rum the till all appropriations for 'to.

of leas than 6ouO inhabitants. Vague threats have come to tbe Speaker that unless he ceases his opposition, the public bladings bill appropriations will be tacked on aa amendment to the swadry civil bill, and put through whether be wil or not. Mr. Cannon win use ail the power of his position to prevent such a possibility, and will arbitrarily refuse to recognise, or beat down by sheer force, any such proposal. STATEHOOD COMPXJCATIOSS.

Sssy Wllllajr to Make Ceaeesaloaa aad Arre-ment May Result. Special to The Times-Democrat. Washington. Feb. 34.

Prospects are brightening for the admission of Oklahoma Territory with Indian Territory at this session. Creators Teller and Gorman, who navs stood out against a compromise on this part of the protlem until Kew Mexico wa; taken care of, announced to-day their wl Ilngness. In view of the great needs of the million and a half population of tie proposed State, to let It come In, tnr sting to new efforts for 5ew Mexico in the next Congress. In this connection, Mr. Bailey is a leader In the Senate sentlmert that It Is bette rto admit Kew Mexico and Arizona Territories, la accordance with the House demands, than, to shut out the people of Oklahoma and Indian Territories, whom he considers entitled Statehood.

Thus, with many willing to make concessions, though they disagree as to what concessions should be made. It la rather generally believed to-night that the Statehood bill will go to conference to-morrow despite Mr. Morgan's prestige and his able and candid obstructive tactics. Spesker Cannon has been widely qnoted as demanding tbe House two-State bill or nothing, bat it is hard to believe that he would oppose a compromise, If It came to him aow. IILIPPISE TARIFF BILLS.

Cartls Measare Dead, tke Otker Bill ta tke Senate. Special to Tbe Tiroes-Democrat. Washington, Feb. 24. Two pending Philippine tariff bills have apparently become confused In tbe public mind.

Their present status Is this: The Mil affecting the rates on Imports from tbe Philippines to this courtry has been reported by tbe Ways and Means Committee. It provides for 25 per cent of the Dingley duties on sugar and tobacco, all oher ltms fr There la a remote poss.hliity Vat ihl iur nt. asked Chair-Kan KlklMS. "Perfectly sure it." The chairman asked if ft sible for the commission, if given power i rjics, 10 re i me to allow foreign skips to clear if their contained exports that had been billed at au iuh't rate. Mr.

Fish replied that the Injustice of holding an entire cargo beeause a part of Kben iaken an improper rate uu. i fcn. lie that It would offend every nation, and that foreign ships would not come into our ports He commented at length on the fuct that the foreign commerce was conducted in foreign ships and that this country was dependent upon them. Touching upon gave practical examples of the workings of rates in various parts of the conriirv In i answer to question by Senator Pol liver, he declared that there was no truth In the charge that traffic managers Tu iu uuuu up great com-inunit ea and Ignore the smaller cities. unuauy came rrom manufacturing -enters nrt Kit.

centers, and that undoubtedly these cen ters tire.c maguei to tne man who goes after the business. Senator Dolilver called attention to an increase In the lumler rate from Louisiana and Mississippi. Mr. Fish said that that matter was now before the Inter-Ftate Commerce Commission, and was fully explained and Justified in a hearing before that body, but he did not know what the difference would be. He said If it was declared that the railroad company should reduce the rste the companv would consider If it could afford to take the business at a lower rule, and If It could not the business would be refused.

The difference between the amhoritv tinder the present laws and the powers of i ne npuiuiissiuu unuer ine Dill passed bv the House were discussed, but Mr Fish Insisted hat a railroad com pa ny could not be compelled to take business at a lower rate than it could afford "You can not get blood out of a turnip." he said. Attention was called to powers of legislation governing common carriers and Mr. Fish said: "Well, the law could compel a company to carry business at a loss for a while, but if it were at a loss It would put the roads into bankruptcy and then the business would stop. The only alternative would be to make the loss good bv advancing the rates on other articles and so on down the line. The law does not contemplate that.

The couditious would become rapidly worae." Mr. Fish read a large part of his statement, and agreed to furnish other information to the committee as soon aa he could gather the data. Just before Mr. Fish concluded bis statement he told of an Interesting conference he had in Januarv, lme. with President Roosevelt over the subject of railroad legislation.

Chairman Knapp of the Interstate Commerce Commission was at the conference, and the President was quoted as saying that the railroad men aDd the members of the commission should get together and prepare some measure that would meet the recognized evils of the railroads in the conduct and management of their business. The President sugrested that a com-tnlttee of five members be chosen to represent the railroads and named Morton of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe, Hngbitt of the Chicago and Northwestern, Castatt of the Pennsylvania, Fpencer of the Southern and Fish of the Illinois Central, ii good committee for the rail-roans to name. Mr. Fish said nothing had been done In response to the President's suggestion. After the meeting had adjourned Mr.

Fish was asked why the railroads bad not proceeded according to the ideas of the President. He said that the members of the Interstate Commerce Commission were not disposed to entertain the idea. Mr. Fish also said that while he questioned the wisdom of legislation establishing a fixed price for any character of service, he would gladly co-operate with members of Congress or the Interstate Commerce Commission in drafting som? measure that would prevent rebates and other tricka that limit or destroy competition. INTERSTATE" COMMISSION.

California Shippers Win Their Oraage Rate Case. Washington, Feb. 23. The Interstate Commerce Commission In an opinion by Commissioner Clements to-day rendered Its decision in the California orange casea broight by the Southern California Fruit Exchange and the Consolidated Forwarding Company against the Southern Pacific and the Atchison. Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad systems, in which it holds thst the defendant carriers are unlawfully enraged In pooling the traffic in citrous frclta originating in Southern California and carried by them and their connections to Eastern markets: that the defendants, bv compelling the shippers to pay such charges as established by the private car lines, have made such charges part of the coit of transportation and subject to regulation under the law.

and that the rate on oranges In carloads from Southern California to points on and east of the Missouri river are unreasonable and unjust. The rate on lemons la held to be reasonable, and present refrigeration charges are held to be not unreasonable. This decision by the commission is on questions reserved In a former decision by the commission In the same cases, which prohibited carriers from denying to shippers of cltrjns frulte from California to Eastern markets the right of directing ever which of the established lines the shipment should be carried. Chairman Knapp dissents from the decision. The chairman says that in several Important particulars the figures in the majority report do not atford with bla understanding of the proofs, while the Inferences therein drawn are not warranted, la his judgment, by due consideration of all the facts and circumstances entitled to be taken into account; and, further, that even If the specific findings In the majority opinion be accepted as a fair and adequate summary of the facts and circumstances entitled to be considered, he is still constrained to hold that the unreasonableness of the rate has not been established.

VESSELS SHIFTED ABOUT. Changre la gtatloa la VIcIalty of Saa Domlagr. Washington. Feb. 23.

Many changes have been mads In the stations of the warships engaged In patrolling the waters of San Domingo In anticipation of the final ratification of the treaty under which the Uuited Statea agrees to administer the financial affairs of San Domingo. Rear Admiral Slgsbee. who commands the Caribbean squadron, has left Monti Cris-U aboard the flagship Newark, with the cruiser Denver for the naval station at Guantansmo. The cruiser Tacoma has left Santo Domingo city, alo boind for Otiantanamo. The torpedo boat Whipple has arrived at Guantanamo from San Domingo.

It is said at the Navy Department that the vessels have gone to the Cuban naval station slmplv to take on coal and supplies, and then will return to Dominican porta. The torpedo bost Stewart arrived at San Jnan yesterday with dispatches from Santo Iouiicgo city. The gunboat Eagle left Key West yesterday for Santo Iomingo city, and will make a thorough survey of the northern coast of the island. FHILIPPIXB TARIFF. Hoase Bill Favorably Reported la the Seaate.

Washington, Feb. 23. The Senate Committee on the Philippines to-day author-lied a favorable report cpon the House bill revising and amending the tariff laws of the Philippine Islands. The committee was in session only a short time, and this was occupied wholly by Secretary of War Taft. who discussed the features of the measure.

Only one amendment was made to the bill as It passed the House. The provision prohibiting a license system with a view to derlvlne revenue from tariff in opium Las been stricken out. In Its piaee has leen submitted a provision that "after March 1. UM. It shall be unlawful to import In the Philippine Islands opium In whatever form, except by the government mnii tnr nurooses oniv.

and at nn time shall It be lawful to sell opium to any native of the rufitppme islands, ex cept for metucinai purposes. KO COMPROMISE AFTER DELAY. Taft ill Fhlllpplae Daty Ideas Seat Session. Sneeial to The rimes-Democrat Washington. Feb.

23. A special to the Journal of Commerce from ashlngton says: In view of the manifest Impossibility of mportant Results of Their Efforts in Congress. Two Bills of Local Interest Ready for Signature. Establishment of New Federal Court at Lake Charles. quieting of Loral Titles to the Own ership of Cat Island.

Mr. Byrd, cf Mississippi, Makes a Nota ble Speech ia Behalf cf the Cottoa Interests, Staff Correspondence. Washington, Feb. 24. The House to flay agreed to the Senate amendments to the bill of Representative Pujo, creating a new Federal conrt at Lake Charles.

The bill now goes to the President for his signature. Tbe bill provides that the parishes of Aradla, Calcasieu, Cameron and Vernon shall constitute the new division of the Western Judicial Dtetrtct of Louisiana. Provision Is made for the holding of the terms of the Circuit and District courts of the United States In each year at Lake Charles. All dvll processes issued against persons resident In these parishes and cognizable before the United States courts shall be made returnable to the courts held at Lake Charles, snd all prosecutions for offenses committed In any of these parishes shall be tried In the appropriate United States court at Lake Charles. It also provided that the clerks of tie Circuit snd District courts of this district shall maintain an office In charge of themselves or deputy at Lake Charles, which shall be kept open at all times for the transaction of business.

The rooms and accommodations to be furnished theee courts are, however, to be free of expense to the government of the United States until such time as a Federal building shall be erected in Lake Charles. Representative Davey to-day called up and by unanimous consent passed tbe bill providing for the relief of II. GlWts Morgan and other co-owners of Cat Island, in the Gulf of Mexico. The bill confirms la Juan Cuevas, otherwise called Juan de Cuevas, John Qcalvle or Qiave, the strip of land known as Cat Island, and directs that a patent Issue In his name. This land came Into possession of Cuevas under a permit from the Spanish commandant at Mobile on Aug.

1, 1781. The government reserves to Itself that portion of the Island upon which the Cat Island lighthouse Is now situated, and to which It obtained title by deed from John and Mary Cuevas on Nov. 22, lhm. The bill now goes to the President for his signature. PUBMO BUILDINGS BILL.

Mr, MeEaery Has Xo Hope of Its Passage. Staff Correspondence. Washington, Feb. 24. Senator Enery entertains no hope of the passge st this session ef the omnibus public buildings bill.

The bill Is still before the House, where sn effort Is being made to have It considered. It will be recalled that the measure makes no provision for any new public buildings in Louisiana, though members of the committee representing districts la adjoining States seem to have been particularly favored. This has brought out a great deal of adverse criticism, which will not have the effect of strengthening the chances of having the bill called up and passed. An analysis of tbe bill shows that there is a woeful disproportion between the amounts accorded certain towns and the volume of business transacted at thess, places. The claim of the lionise leaders, wt are fighting the measure.

Is that the bl was not framed along the line of unlforav service to the public good, but that many of its provisions could well be spared at this stage, when tbe pnbllo service Is being provided for at a moderate rental, representing Interest at the rate of 1 or 1 1-2 per cent on the proposed investment. IS THE INTEREST OF OTTOS. Mr. Byrd Makes a -Notable Speech ia tke Hoaae. Stall Correspondence.

Washington, Feb. 24. Representative Adam M. Byrd of Mississippi delivered a notable speech lu the House to-day on tbe cottoa situation In the South. Mr.

Byrd arraigned the Republican party for Ita neglect of the great cotton Industry, and argned that a revision of the tariff and reciprocal trade treaties with foreign countries, sufficient markets would be afforded for tbe consumption of the surplus of American cotton, which would guarantee to the Southern farmer a Just aad equitable price for his staple. Mr. Byrd'a remarks were received with great applause, and when he had concluded bis colleagues congratulated him heartily oa bla effort, and the leaders of the Democratic party, notably Hon. John Sharp Williams and Champ Clark, declared that his speech was tbe best tariff speech that has been delivered tn the House at this session of Congress. Prominent Republicans congratulated Mr.

Eyrd. telling him that while he bad severely arraigned their party, yet they could nt lose sight of the fact that he had discussed the subject in a clear, logical and straightforward manner, and that his speech would do much toward bringing the government to a realization ef Its duty to the cotton Industry of the South. Omalkas Claims Bill Stjcmed. Ftaff Correspondence. Washington, Feb.

24. The omnibus claims bill was signed by tbe President to-day. The appropriations for the payment of the claims arising under the Low ma a Tucker act and other miscellaneous claims now become effective at once. OeTevatloa Calls oa Mrs. Blanc bard Staff Correspondence.

Washington, Feb. 24. The members of the Louisiana delegation called this even-tng on Mrs. N. C.

Elanrhard, wife of Gov. Blanchard, who arrived to-day with her daughter, Mlaa Aston Blanchard. They are at the RIggs. Gov. Blanchard, with bis s'-fC, will arrive next we to participate In the inauguration ceremony.

Laad la Restored. Staff Correspondence. Washington, Feb. 24. Representative Byrd to-day called and passed the bill for the relief of G.

W. Gardy of Scott county. Mi. The bill authorizes Mr. Scott to homestead certain lands in the county that bad been taken from blra by the Alabama and VlcLburg Railroad Measure Held otto ia House to Committee Figures.

Similar Frogremme Probably Ar ranged for the Senate. Extensive Alterations Would Result in Its Failure to Army Bill Agree on Eeport Principally Alon Lines Laid Doits by the House. taC Corresj'ondenoc. Washington, I cb. 21.

-The livers and Larbors bill passed the House to-night-It uuw foes to the Senate for action. Chairman Burton of the committee op posed every amendment which was of fered in committee of the whole. This is interpreted an meaning that the chair- nan of the committee intends to hold the bill down to the original figures reported by the committee. It is reliably Hated that the proposed Senate amendments will am omit to about $15,000,000. If this be true, the Mil will certainly fall ot passage.

It Is belle Ted, bow-ever, that tae House and Senate leaders have reached an agreement by which the bill is to be held down to the ipures as originally reported by the House, though it is possible that the appropriations may be slightly increased It is reported that Burton, and I-esttr, on the part of the House, and riklns, Frye and Berry, on the part of the Senate, will probably be named as conferees, which mould seem to ludlcate that the Wil will be held down to its original figures. All of these legislators are known to have fixed Ideas a to what the volume of the bUl should be, and tbey will in all probability oppose any attempt that may be made by the Senate to lacrease to appropriations beyond what they think is a afe limit. It is understood that the President Is opposed to a large rivers and harbors bill and that be will veto the measure If It reaches dimensions beyond what he deems reasonable. COFEHEE3 AGREE. Adjbatncat of DlSrreaees the Army Bill.

Washington, Feb. 23. The conferees on the army appropriation bill to-day perfected an agreement which covers all points of differences. The amendment regarded as most Important Is that affecting the pay retired officers and Involving the pry of On. Miles, whirl! at present Is the foil pay of a Lieutenant "fieueral.

The effect of the agreement as to Gen, Miles Is to give him Lis full retired pay, without reference to any compensation he may receive for service on ihe staff of the Governor of Massachustts. The provision agreed on reads: retired officers of the army iwtc inf ktbuc oi Hi a or nerexniore or hereafter assigned to active duty shall hereafter receive their full retired pay and shall receive no further pay or allowances from the United States; pro-Tided further, that a Colcnel or Lien-tenant Colonel so assigned shall receive the full pay and allowances of a major on the active list." Of the thirty-one amendments la the bill lr conference, the Senate recedes from four and the House accepts the others. Of the four which go oat of the bill, tw are slight Increases la amounts twn others are a provision that no army posts shall be established without the consent of the Secretary of War. FILIPISOS AJfD RICE. Fajo's FJTorta to Hare Pkillpplae Daly Removed.

Staff Correspoudence. Washington, Feb. 73. The Pnjo bill, creating a new Federal court, with, headquarters at Lake Charles, passed the Senate to-day with alight amendments. The bill wil; bow go to conference.

When the Fhl! rpme tartH Mil was under discission In the House yesterday jsir. Puja made an argument support Of the motion to strike out the rice rbedule Imposing a duty upon rice exported from the United States Into the archipelago. Ie stated that there were enly five rice-producing States in the United States Louisiana, Texas, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina yielding a crop in V-M :eo.O.000 pounds, which pounds had been frown in Louisiana and 165,100,000 In Texas: that there was carried over from the season of "0.21S.200 pounds of clean rice, and thst there is now a sut-rlus from last set.son of at least He argued that the Imposition of a 4uty on rice from this country resulted Ira discrimination against American a tv United States, on account 0 the It tariff, was unable c-riptte Ind'a and Japaa. Statlx-lcs furnished by the Secretary Cmiuree and Labor show that for se fiscal year erfllng June 9, 1P04, Siere had been $2,326,127 worth of rice -xported from the United States to Porto lie, and that a few years ago there was rice whatever sold there from Amer-ea. He attributed this i crease in trade the fact that there was no duty lm--poeed by Porto Rico upon rice from the ct.tna rh Imnnrtaf-ion III.

r-M from the United State aggregated the fiscal Tear as 1 ntr.st thaa $500 the year before, i the preferential duty of 40 per enjoyel tinder the Cuban reciprocity Statistics ftirtter show that wab no rice whatever exported 'l the United State to the Philippines pe last fiscal year. The duty former -Istlng on ric? to the Philippines baa lcrcased about 25 per cent on the Irfr grade. The amendment, however, 1 -put rice exportatlona on the free list a defeated. COIXAGE OP SILVER. alr Three Ituadrcd aid Tea $11.

wcr Dollar Colacd Sine Jaae. I tn The Times Twrnoc rat. Washington, Feb. 23. Secretary Shaw has Just sent to the Senate.

In response "to in Inquiry, ome Interesting Information relative to tie coinage of silver. The ruuif-r of silver dollars coined under the act cf June IX from silver bullion under the act of July 14. 1 durnc the seal year 1004, was 10.101.650. and 310 were coined from June 30, 1P04, to Dec, 31. 1304.

No silver dollars bearing the date of have been struck. The balance of silver buliion purchased cndr the act of July 14. on hand Feb. 1, 1305, was 1,343,937.44 fine ounces. Csajpanv..