The morning news., 1899-02-21
EXTRA SESSION NOT LIKELY.
C0NGREsSMEN NOW WORKING
TO AVOID THAT STEP.

Peace Treaty Is Out of the Way, and
There Is Almost Sure 10 BE "a COM
promise ON the Army BiII-CanaI
Bill May he Thrown over IL There
Is Any Danger to Rivers and Har-
bOrs-COI. Livingston Making Him.
self Popular.
Washington. Feb. 2O-(speciaD. The
Fifty-hfth Congress Is on the home stretch
and the indications are that the business
Of the government will be rounded up by
March 4. so as to render unnecessary
the calling of an extra session.
The appropriation bills are well under
way, and during the remaining days of
the session the two houses OF Congress
Will set day and night, if necessary, 10
complete the passage of money bills. The
danger point was passed when the peace
treaty was ratified.
1t was thought that the failure of the
army reorganization bill might induce the
President to cali an extra session, but It
Is stated by leading members of the ad-
mnistraton in the Senate and House
that a compromise on the army bill will
be effected, so that the present military
organization of the government win be
continued for another year, or perhaps the
HUI bill may be modified SO as to pro-
vide for a temporary increase of the
army.
II is claimed that the Objectionable fea-
lures of the permanent standing army
win thus be overcome by compromise
on the lines mentioned. II Is said that sew
eral of the leading Democrats who have
been most active in their opposition to the
army bill are disposed to accept the propo-
sition looking to a temporary increase OF
the army. Senator Lodge summed up the
situation when he said Tonight:
"rhe President will be able to get along
for another year with our present mill
tary establishment and thus avoid the ne
cessity for an extra session of Congress-"
Deadlock on Canal Bill.
Some OF the advocates of an extra ses-
sion are looking for a deadlock between
| the House and Senate over the Nicaragua
canal amendment to the river and harbor
bill. There is unquestionably a good ma
| jority in both branches Of Congress favor
able to the Nicaragua canal, but these gem
tfernen who are anxious TO see a great In
teroceanic canal constructed are not will
| ing 10 sacrifice the bill which carries APP
| preparations for their local rivers and har-
| bors.
II Il becomes apparent that the House.
| under the dicta torship of Czar Reed is de-
| termined 20 hold up the river and harbor
bill rather than permit the canal project
to succeed. reaction will set In and the
canal scheme will be thrown over board
to secure the legitimate river and harbor
! appropriations.
II is claimed that the river and harbor
| bin was loaded down in the Senate with
| additional appropriations and the canal
amendment with the deliberate intention
OF rendering the measure Objectionable
and preventing it becoming a law at the
present session. This view Is not shared
! by the original friends of the bill. While
Il is unusual for a river and harbor bill to
| be passed at a short session Of Congress,
the present bin was framed in good faith
and with the desire of making adequate
| appropria tons for the rivers and harbors
of this country. 1t is, therefore, not likely
that the bin win fail even If the canal
amendment has to be thrown out.
Livingston's Popular Move.
Representative Livingston Is making
| himself popular with the employees of the
various government departments by advo-
eating provision in the general deficiency
appropriation, allowing extra compensa-
tion to those employees In the war depart-
ment who rendered additional service dur
Ing the war with Spain.
Many of the clerks and messengers In
| the war department worked eighteen hours
| out Of every twenty-four, including Sum
days. when the war excitement was In full
blast, and the proposition is to pay then,
for the extra time outside of the usual
hours, to O'clock
Col. Livingston expects 10 be successfuR
In his good work In this direction.