To Aid Poor Debtors

Washington, Dec. 14. - A national bankruptcy bilí similar in its substantial features to the Henderson-Culbertson bilí passed by the house last session, will be reported to the house this week by the judiciary committee. The bilí provides' for boTh vóluntary bankruptcy and involuntary bankruptcy. By its provisions any one may file a petition and go into vóluntary bankruptcy, except a Corporation. The latter may be forced into it, but not otherwise. Wage earners, laborers and farmers cannot be forced into it. All others are subject to involuntary bankruptcy for certain designated causes. Relate to JTraudxilent Conduct, In general these involuntary causes relate to fraudulent conduct on the part of the bankrupt. The clause in former measures providing that a man who permits his commercial paper to go unpaid for thirty days, shall be an involuntary bankrupt. Is eliminated. The general effect of the bill is to discharge the bankrupt of all debts after the estáte has been administered and it has been found that there has been no fraudulent conduct. The bankrupt measure is so framed as to make lts administration simple and inexpensive. It involves only two officers - referee and trustee. HOUSE KUtES TO BE CHANGED. Coimnittee WiH Take Action After the Holiday Recess. Washington, Dec. 14. - A new code of rules for the house of representativea will be prepared by Speaker Reed and his associates on the committee on rules after the holiday recess. At present the house is proeeeding under the rules of two years ago, these having been adopted the framing of new rules. The present purpose is to readopt the oíd rules without fmportant changes. Representative Barrett of Massachusetts is to be given a hearing at an early day on two amendments which he proposes. One of these seeks to give the minority larger rights than it enjoya at present in presenting amendments and substitutes, and in securing time during debate. Nattonal Legislatura. Washington, Dee. 14.- In the house on motion of Lawrence of Massachusetts, Saturday, Jan. 8, was set aside for paying tribute to the memory of the late Representative Wright, his predecessor. Then without further preliminary business the house went into committee of the whole and proceeded to the consideration of the legislative, executive and judicial appropriation bill. The senate on motion of Hoar adjourned in respect to President McKinley, whose mother was being buried. The house adjourned at 1:45 p. m. out of respect to the president. To Compete with Americans. "Washington, Dec. 14. - A British corporation has arranged to start a shoe factory at Galasheils, Scoland, capable of turning out 20,000 pairs ofshoesweekly, and Consul Fleming, at Edinburg, says this is the beginning of an attempt to compete with America in shoemaking. The British reports show that more than 45 per cent. of the total imports of shoes into the British colonies are of American manufacture. Dingley Tariff Lau. Washington, Dec. 14.- The Dingley tariff law will not be changed in any of Hs customs features at the present session of congress. A general understanding to this effect has been reached among the Republican members of the ways and means committee, who feel that it is most desirable to avoid what is generally kncivn as tariff .tinkering. For an Ambulance at Sea. "Washington, Dec. 14. - Surgeon General W. K. Van Reypan contemplates constructing an ambulance snip, 300 feet in lergth by 50 feet beam, to steam fourteen knots an hour. There will be beds for 274 patiënte, and the vessel wounded men.