February 21.—A letter is made public from former Senator William E. Chandler, of New Hampshire, to Senator Elkins, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interstate Commerce, urging the passage of the rate bill and predicting that, if this is not done, government ownership of railroads will result. The Senate Committee on Naval Affairs decides to report favorably the House bill providing for two additional battleships. Senator T. M. Patterson, of Colorado, says that if the government does not control the railways the people will demand absolute government ownership. February 23.—The House Indian Committee decides to investigate the Osage oil land lease. Senator Chauncey M. Depew declares in favor of government regulation of railroad rates. Stuyvesant Fish, President of the Illinois Central Railroad, tells the Senate Committee on Interstate Commerce that President Roosevelt, in a private conference, urged reduction of freight rates as long ago as 1902. The House and Senate conferees on the Army Appropriation bill decide to give General Miles retired pay instead of full pay, as at present. The Senate passes the Panama Canal bill with the clause destroying the Panama Canal Commission stricken out. Representative Bishop, of Michigan, attacks the River and Harbor bill and accuses fellow-members of being under the influence of the Great Lakes dredge owners. February 24.—The item of $130,600 for the rent of the old New York Custom House from the City Bank (Standard Oil) is stricken from the Civil Appropriation bill by the Committee of the Whole House. Mr. Sulzer (Dem.) leads in the attack on this item, and the vote striking it out is 90 to 77. Representative Vandiver, of Missouri, attacks the Armor Plate Trust and asks the Attorney-General why it has not been prosecuted. Senator Morgan, of Alabama, starts a filibuster against the Statehood bill. February 25.—Senator Hale, of Maine, makes sarcastic references to the Administration policy of “browbeating smaller Powers.” Arguments are concluded in the impeachment case of Judge Charles Swayne. Senator Morgan, of Alabama, lodges with the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee a formal protest against the action of President Roosevelt relating to Santo Domingo. February 27.—Senator Dryden, of New Jersey, at the supposed request of the President, introduces a bill establishing Federal supervision of insurance. Democratic leaders bitterly attack the President’s foreign policy in both the House and Senate. The Senate votes in favor of the House appropriation for two additional battleships. The Democrats of the House prevent the reinstatement of the appropriation for rent to the City Bank of New York, enough Republicans joining them to reverse the ruling of the Chair.