New-York tribune., 1901-01-03
PROGRAMME OF CONGRESS
ARMY BILL LIKELY To HAVE PRECE-
DENCE IN THE SENATE.
THE HOUSE EXPEcTED TO PASS A REAP
PoRTIoNMENT BILL THIS WEEK
fBy TELEGRAPH TO THE rsrsrN1-l


FBy TELEGRAPH TO rH. rHrsuSz-l
Washington. Jan. 2-Intersst in the reas,e-n-
bling of the two houses Of Congress tomorrow
centres chiefly in the action 10 be taken by the
Republican Steering Committee OF the Senate.
since that action will determine in a large meas
the fate OF the various projects OF lsgisla-
ton now pending. The Steering COMMITTEES VIII
have TO decide. for one thing, whether the
Hanna-Payne Ship Subsidy bill is TO retain the
right OF way in the Senate or 20 give place to
the more pressing and more nearly completed
Army Reorganization bill The latter bin has
now passed each house in some form. and can
be sent. after the Senate again acts on the
House substitute. TO a committee Of conference
The Subsidy bill has passed neither house and
will continue to arouse bitter opposition in each
branch If pressed TO a vote to the exclusion OF
Army reorganization. apportionment and other
more urgent legislative measures. The drift OF
opinion among Republican leaders in the Senate
Is toward concentrating all Efforts now on the
Army and Apportionment bills. and postponins
the ship subsidy and tax reduction projectssuntl
later in the session Mr. Hanna still contends
that the shipping bill should have precedence
over all other legislation but il is believed that
ne will yield his opinion when he finds
jority of the members of the Steering COMMITTEES
eager TO clear the way for so absolutely neces-
sary a measure that recognizing the Army
and furnishing armed forces adequate to the
eountry's military needs at home and IN the
Philippines. IT. however. the Army bin. the Ap-
portionment bill, the Tax Reduction bill and all
the regular appropriation bills to be pre-
ferred to the Ship Subsidy bill. the latter meas
ure's chances of passage at This session VIII be
little less than desperate.
OPPOSITION WILL NOT FILIBUSTER
A meeting Of the Committee on Military Afs
fairs has been called for tomorrow, when the
matter Of procedure will probably be discussed
and a decision reached TO whether the COM
mittee shall ask for all the time OF the Senate.
until it's bill is disposed Of or for only part Of IT.
Some members Of the committee are disposed To
divide time with the Subsidy bin for the pres
ent. but all Senator's regardless OF politics, con-
slider the Army bill OF pressing Importance.
While comparatively few Of the opposition Sena-
tors will vote for that bill. none Of them appear
willing TO object TO It's early consideration
There has been a general surmise that Senator
CockreIl would offer substitute for the Army
bill. but he said to-day that he had no such in
tention, at the same time expressing his convio-
ton that the bill should be pressed to early
| disposition. because OF the condition In tbs
Philippines Mr.. Cockrell expressed the further
opinion that the Army bill would not be debated
at great length unless there should be at tho
same time In attempt TO carry the Subsidy bill
along with IL. In that event he thought ii might
be difficult 70 get the Army bill through
promptly. The opposition Senator's generally
will content themselves with an explanation OF
their views on the Army bill. and VIII make
no opposition 70 its becoming a law.
There are still several speeches to be made
on the Subsidy bin. but apparently none OF the
promised addresses have been prepared, so that
Senator Hawley may be able TO go on uninter-
ruptedly for some time with the Army bill re-
gardess OF any arrangement concerning the
Subsidy bill. 5.Lo's
BUSINESS IN THE HOUSE
| The House probably viii dispose OF the Reap
! portionment bill this week. although Chairman
/ Burton OF the River and Harbor Committee "a
inclined TO contest the right OF way with tns
Census Committee oThsd ReappOrtionnaent bill.
carrying out as it does Unconstitutional require
/ ment is a matter Of higher privilege than an
| appropriation bill. and IL Chairman Hopkins tn
sists IL probably will secure priority. Mr.. Hop
\ kins however, may yield il he dnds that any
/ large proportion Of the members will not return
| from their holiday vacation in time to vote on
/ the measure this week A determined fight VIII
be made against his bill by members from
! States which lose Representatives under it, and
Mr.. Hopkins desires full House when the vote
/ IS taken. He is confident that his measure VIII
/ be passed with a full attendance. In any event.
neither Mr.. Hopkins nor Mr. Burton desires 70
I proceed tomorrow, so that the session to-r,or-
/ row probably will be brief and unimportant
4 On Friday either the River and HarbOr OF the
ReapportiOnment bill will be taken up. II IL
should be the latter the expectation Is that Its
consideration will be completed on Saturday
/ is prOblematical.