Evening star., 1901-09-28
WORK OF CONGRESS
Measures That Will Probably be
Presented.
PRESSURE TO REDUCE BEER TAX
The Reciprocity Feature Of Tariff
Reduction.
RESTRICTIVE BILLS LIKELY

| AS senators and representatives pass in
| and out of town, attending to the usual
| departmental business arising at this sea-
| son and other duties consequent upon the
| change in administration, there Is consid-
! cradle discussion of the probable work of
| the coming Congress.
1t is assumed by many that the tariff,
| internal revenue taxation antitrust, anti
| anarchism, isthmian canal and immigra-
| ton questions will form in large measure
the principal subjects of congressional ac-
| tion. OF course, there will be the usual
grist of private bills, special appropriation
acts, river and harbor and public buildings
bills Labor interests will also come before
Congress this session with demands that
were not met last year
Efforts for further internal revenue legis-
lation are likely to attract considerable at
tention, and possibly lead to some friction.
As soon as Congress opens the beer brew
ers will renew their demands for further
reduction of the tax beer. Notice 10
this effect was served upon the party man
ayers at the close of the last session, and it
is understood there has been change of
program.
Pressure for Beer Reduction.
The advocates of the beer reduction will
have an additional argument, they claim
this time in the fact that there is a large
surplus in the treasury, with promise of a
greater one and, Furthermore, that the re-
duction made in the last session did not
lower the receipts of the internal revenue
office to the extent estimated.
1t will be remembered that it was esti-
mated that the war tax reduction bill,
which passed in the last session, would
bring the internal revenue taxes down to
the extent of about s40,000,C00. Instead of
that it now seems likely that the reduction
will hardly go below $25,000, 900
The surplus in the treasury is increasing
and at the close of the fiscal year may be
anywhere from s55,C00, 600 to So, ,OO0, 600
Experienced members of the House and
Senate see in this condition one certainty
that there will be increased efforts on the
part of every man who has an ak to grind
to lower that surplus by congressional ap-
propriations; and the beer brewers claim
place at the head of the procession of
waiting applicants.
There is no doubt that the demand FOR
internal revenue reduction will be resisted.
The Isthmian Canal.
The friends of the isthmian canal project
will oppose depletion of the governm ant' S
resources. Representative Burton, prospcc-
tive chairman of the river and harbor COM
mlttee, with a mighty following back of
him, will want little money left in the
coffers to carry out some plans Of river
and harbor improvements that have been
formulated by members of the commit ee
during their summer tours. Mr. Mercer
OF public buildings and grounds committee
is Keeping a watchful eye on that surplus
for possible future needs of public building
improvements. For these and other rea sons
therefore. it is probably safe to assert that
tnere Will be something of a struggle be-
tore the income of the government is re-
duced; but as the advocates of redu ,tion
are influential and numerous the agrees
sion will probably be as vigorous as the
resistance ~
or course, the tariff question, of which
reciprocity is a feature, will be considered
earnestly. Early in the session it is prob
able there will be numerous party confer
ences IN the House and Senate in efforts to
oenne republican policy AS stated <here-
tofore In The Star, whatever mending Of
the tariff there may be, it is to be at repub-
mean hands, along republican lines and
without the aid of democratic votes.
To Restrict the Trusts.
IL Is regarded as certain, also, that
move VIII be made in the direction of re-
stricting the trusts. There is the highest
authority for stating that the admnistra-
ton, as well as the party leaders in Con-
gress, deem it wise to enact legislation that
will carry out the pledges of republican
platforms upon this subject
An avalanche of anti-anarchistic bills is
expected early in the session, and the iu-
dietary committees Of the two houses will
have their hands full with this and the
trust question.
Coincident with the anti-anarchist legis-
lation 1t is expected there will be a renewal
of the agitation for further restriction of
immigration. This will lead to a fight, as a
strong sentiment exists against handling
this question. The friends of restriction
however, are persistent and powerful and
are expected to come forward now with in
creased activity.