Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1901-11-26

SENATOR FRYE. Congress on the
trusts is just about as diverse as it is
among the people at large. The members
differ honestly as to the extent of the
evil, as well as about the remedy to be
adopted. There are grave constitutional
questions involved concerning the rights
of the States and the United States, and
the sentiment Of the members who have
appeared here thus far that the present
session of Congress will take some steps
of an important character on~+he trust
question, and particularly so because an
unusually strong expression ON this sub
ject is certain to come from President
Roosevelt.
Somewhat the same situation is involv-
ed regarding reciprocity. The general
principle of reciprocity is favored, as ev-
cry one knows, by the President and by
most of the leaders in Congress. There
is serious difference of opinion, however,
as to the application of this principle.
The treaties already negotiated are not
likely to be ratified in the Senate and
then passed by the House. as is required
by law. There is a strong sentiment in
favor of the creation of maximum and
a minimum tariff as the best means of
securing concessions from other coun
tries. In word Congress seems to in
sist that any reciprocity involving the
changing of tariff rates must always be
legislative, and not executive
The revision of the tariff is admitted
10 be somewhat distant. This tariff re-
JiSi0n is intimately associated whit the
trust question: and, OF course, with reel
procity. For this reason the sentiment
in Congress seems to favor the creation
of joint committees, made up of men of
acknowledged standing in both houses, to
take into consideration each one of these
three great topics of the trusts, the tariff,
and reciprocity, and see how far Con-
gress can go, constitutionally, and when
that is decided, just how far it is wise
TO go in dealing with all these subjects.
Financial Work.
There is considerable sentiment in fa-
vor of some financial legislation, but it
will be of the most moderate character
From talks with members it can be as
serted that nine out of ten of them are
opposed to the retirement of greenbacks,
ct least until something better can be
provided to take their places than unse-
cured bank notes. There are a few mem
bers who are in favor of these asset bank
notes, but they believe this form of cur
rency should supplement that already in
existence rather than take its place The
average member of Congress cannot be
made to see how the unsecured, note of a
private bank can possibly be as good as
the unsecured note of the government
of the United States.
1t can be asserted with more than the
usual positiveness that the greenbacks
will not be disturbed at this session of
Congress, and, in fact. that no serious
consideration will be granted to the prop
osition for its retirement.
There may probably be a little tinker
ing with the existing currency law TO
make it more symmetrical, possibly re-
curing the Secretary Of the Treasury
to exchange silver and gold and also pos
sibly permitting him to deposit customs
receipts as well as internal revenue in
the national banks to relieve financial
stringency.
The Ship Subsidy Bill.
Opinions differ a little in regard to the
ship subsidy bill, but the opposition to
that measuf. is far more pronounced in
both houses than it was at the last ses-
siGu Of Congress. There is a strong
current plainly apparent setting in the di-
rection Of a subsidy for freight steamers
and a total or nearly complete elimina-
ton of the money to be paid to the big
passenger liners. Ghe general sentiment
among Representatives and Senators is
that the subsidy. If any, should consist
Of money paid. not for TAG tonnage of a
ship but for the aetuai freight carried
20 and from the United States, leaving