New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-12-01
Try TELEGRAPH TO THE tribune.

WASHINGTON. Nov 3O.-The LVl1th Congress-
which is to meet Monday. will find before II
no such urgent and trying legislative tasks as
fell to the portion of its two immediate preoeces
sors Few burdensome legacies have peeh
handed down to the new Congress from the busy
sessions of 1898 1899 1900 and 1901 The
knotty problems raised by the extension OF
American sovereignty through the Treaty or
Paris have been virtually solved by the iesisia-
ton through which the two houses laid the
foundations of scheme Of government for
Porto Rico and for the Philippines. and the po-
litical status of Cuba has been unalteraoiy nNed
by the conditions imposed on Cuban autonomy
by the so-caed Platt amendment of March .
last In other ways too, the work of the new
Congress has been narrowed and simplihed.
The army has been enlarged and remodelled
The emergency taxes levied to pay the cost OF
the war with Spain have been reduced, Hawaii
and Alaska have been fully organized as Terri
tories and most of the nations pressing needs
of legislation domestic extra-territorial, have
been amply satisfied. There remain however.
for the incoming Congress tasks sufficient 20
engross its attention for the next two years.
At this session the next some definite shape
must be given TO the great interoceanic canal
project, which has been urged on Congress for
the las. twenty years. Legislation will also be
asked to stimulate the American ocean carrying
trade plans may be discussed for curtailing
still further the surplus revenues and at
tempt will probably be made to test the value
Of the reciprocity system means of enlarg
ing the markets abroad for American agricult
ural and manufactured products. With its
routine work to accomplish. these legislative
problems will open to the Congress a gen
erous field for discussion and action
The men who will lead the two houses for the
next two winters are virtually those who have
years past. The changes in personnel in the
two branches are, in fact. slight almost to
escape general notice. In the Senate William
p. Frye, of Maine, has again been chosen Presi-
dent pro tempore, and, in consequence Of TheO-
dore Roosevelts accession to the Presidency.
he will once more he called upon to exercise the
full powers and duties which devolve upon the
President Of the Senate Besides directing the
Senates parliamentary routine Mr.. Frye Will
retain his place the head of the influential
| Committee on Commerce, body which prepares
the biennial River and Harbor bill, and which
has charge also of the fortunes of the Ship Sub
sidy measure. OF this latter bill the junior
Maine Senator Will again appear as the con-
sistent and eloquent advocate. MIR. Frye will
continue a member of the Committee For
eign Relations. but will yield the craftsmanship
OF that body to Shelby NJ. Cuom, of Illinois, who
now stands next below him in seniority. This
of Cushman X. Davis about year ago. Mr.
Frye during the last session acted as chairman
of the committee, and was entitled by seniority
to become its permanent head. He preferred,
| however to remain with the Committee on Com
MERGE whose work he has directed with energy
| and enthusiasm for many years.
William B. Allison, the Father of the Senate
| now in his twenty ninth year of continuous ser
vice in that branch, will remain at the head of
| full knowledge and trained judgment have made
| him an invaluable guide and counsellor in all
| legislative work, and his personal influence in
| the Senate knows nc limitations of factions or
| party. He will also retain the Craftsmanship of
| the Republican caucus and steering committee
| and second place the Committee on Finance
| Nelson w. Aldrich will again head the Com
| mttee on Finance. of which he has been for
years the most active and powerful member
| Mr. Aldrich is recognized one of the Re
| publican leaders of the first rank in Congress
| and his ability and force as a legislator are
| felt more and more in the work of every SEES
| sion His influence is surpassed by that of no
/ other leader in either house.
Shelby N. Cullom who succeeds to the chair
| manship of the Committee on Foreign Rela-
| lions is in his nineteenth year of service in the
Senate He has long held the post of CHAIR
man of the Interstate Commerce Committee,
| and has been identified with the legislation
| which established the Interstate Commerce COM
| mission and has since extended its power and
| functions AS a member for years of the For
! eirn Relations Committee he has also had
| useful training in the questions with which. as
| chairman. he will be called upon to deal
George F. Hoar of Massachusetts,, will again
| direct the deliberations of the Judiciary Com
mttee While this committee has shrunk some
| what in Importance In the last decade IL sun
holds place of dignity and consequence among
g. rivals Mr. Hoar is a veteran statesman OF
| tri,d capacity and mutifarous accomplish
| ments. He is just entering upon his twenty
/ &iaa butt In