AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 February 1924, Page 2

AMERICAN ITEMS.

LATEST CABLE NEWS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. U.S.A. POLITICO, WASHINGTON. February 20. The Congressional iiivestigatoriaD affair took an intensive turn when the Senate adopted a resolution calling upon six Government Departments, including the Shipping Board, to report on all the occasions and circumstances when they found that Cabinet officers, oi Members of Congress, within years after holding such office, appeared as petitioners on behalf of a private party lefoie the Government- in any claim.

President Coolidge bad two hours’ conference with Mr Dougherty, but. no statement was issued.

.Reports then circulated that Mr Dougherty will resign within twentyfour hours, while his friends dcctoPybe will never resign under fire. ''

The Senate Committee, meanwhile, continues painstakingly to inquire into every feature of the oil leases. It is holding long session.--, and examining milny person- daily. WASHINGTON. February 20. In the House of Representatives, the discussion of the tax reduction mea--o.io reached the first fight stage tonight. when, following an hour’s complete disorder. Representatives Clancy ai d Gainer were separated by members, v.l.en the two members tried to down each other. The chamber resoulKhkT with continuous yelling. The Speaker’s novel proved effective in restoring o: del. The Republicans were engaged in a tactical manoeuvre to deprive Representative Clamy from voting concerning tho reduction of the automobile taxes, which precipitated an open clash. The hone of contention between the Republicans and Democrats is surtaxes on large incomes. The Republicans desire the sur-tax to lx; fixed at 25 per cent., while the Democrats demand at least 37 per cent. Every item in the new Tax Bill is bitterly contended. however.

HAUL OF LIQUOR

MAY YORK, February 20. Treasurv agents raided the White Slat liner Adriatic oil the eve of sailing on a Mediterranean tour, and removed 180 eases of beer, wine_ and spirits that were not oil the manifest that exceeded the 098 gallons of wines and spirits allowed for medicinal stores, flic vessel was permitted to sail, hut the officials state Captain Bednell, the master, may ho'obligcd to pay a fieri- *" • silty of three dollars a bottle, or total ~f 1 1.700 dollars penalty unless the TtensuCy Department at Washington <U sired to premit tlio fine on the ground that the master did not intend to evade the law. which limits alcoholic beverages to a permitted allotment under the health regulations.

CANADIAN POLITICS. OTTAWA, February 2G. The Canadian Parliament reconvenes to-morrow. One of the longest and most strenuous sessions in recent Canadian history is jexpeetedi. Mr McKenzie King’s Government is actually in a minority of two or three votes, lint it is expected that the Quebec F'eneli, who, although Conservative, bine been voting Liberal, will furnish the required majority. It is rumoured that the French members are dissatisfied and will probably withdraw their support before the end of tho session, but it is not expected a general election will occur until 1925, unless Mr Meiglian’s opposition, which i- gradually gaining ascendancy, bei.oincs vcvv .strong.

The Government promises--retrench- ~ N meet of the public finances, and tho... cancellation of the so-called nuisance taxes, namely oil sale, and various stamp taxes. The Trade preference Treaty aith France, which is said to .‘•’••a costing Canada eight hundred thoudcii ?*.»•• yearly, and the proposed AvaPalloV' preference, are among tho outstanding external questions. Various Canadian-Atnerican questions, namely the Halibut Fishing Treaty, the .St. Lawrence-Canada project, reciprocating tlio proposed embargo are also expected to result- in a conflict.

AIR, DOUGHERTY’S POSITION. (Reoeived this day at 9.0 a.i11.). WASHINGTON, Feb. 27. The otter hv Air. 11. AI. Dougherty (Attorney-General) to retire into private life when the Senate has completed its investigations of his official acts, is believed in administration circles to he imminent. It is believed ho will step out of the Cabinet, regardless of the outcome of the enquiry, and will probably announce that: intention to the country m advance.

NEW EXPLOSIVE DISCOVERY. WASHINGTON, Feb. 27. The discovery is announced at Boston of a new catalyst to bring about the permanent union of liydrogen’tiud nitrogen atoms and yield 14 per cent ammonia. It is claimed that this means an explosive is found which is twice as effective as that discovered by the Germans just prior to the war.