New-York tribune., 1901-02-23
LAST DAYS OF CONGRESS.
RIVER AND HARBOR AND WAR TAX RE-
DUCTION BILLS THOUGHT TO
STAND A POOR CHANCE
OF PASSAGE.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE ]


Washington Feb. 22.-The House has about
cleared its calendar Of all important or neces-
sary legislation. and IL the Senate had its work
s well advanced there would be no doubt OF the
passage OF every measure OF importance at this
session In passing the General Deficiency bill
yesterday the House disposed OF its part Of the
work connected with the great supply bills.
Many OF these measures. however. are in such
a backward state in the Senate that il seems not
improbable that they may consume the entire
eight days remaining OF the session 10 the
clusion OF other bills on which much hard work
has been expended. This is especially true OF
the River and Harbor bill and OF the War Reve-
nue. Reduction bill. For the former the prospect
becomes gloorlier as the hours pass. and for the
latter to-day's developments seem plainly 10 in
dicate that it's chances OF success are growing
poorer all the time.
FATE OF THE WAR TAX BILL
At the beginning Of the week it appeared not
unlikely that agreement on the tax reduc-
tion bill soon would be reached IN conference
and thar the measure would be reported back
and passed ahead of some OF the appropriation
bills. But after holding two meetings to-day
each of which consumed more than two hours
the conferrees were unable TO report progress
This is generally regarded as a decidedly dis
CoufaElnS slEns IN Sl4lt OF op-
timism OF the Senate conferrees TO the contrary
At last accounts the Senate members were IN
accord on all material points. the chief Of which
were increased reductions in the tobacco and
beer taxes and retention OF the bank check tax
and Messrs Payne and Richardson. the
part of the House. were willing 20 yield thus
leaving Mr.. Dalzen the only dissenter. But
some sort OF snag was struck to-day. and
the cOnferrees now appear 10 be almost far
apart they We're when negotiations for
agreement between the two houses were in
stituted Though the conferrees refuse 20 talk
about the new turn affairs have taken. II is
generally believed that the apparent deadlock
now is due 20 the proposition 10 collect the life
Insurance tax In a new way. This proposition
is said 10 be for the Secretary Of the Treasury
10 have the books and accounts OF corporations
subject this examined once a year. and
then collect the tax from them in a lump sum
according TO the result OF his findings. II is
possible. OF course. for the conference 20 reach
an agreement at its next meeting. tomorrow
or Monday in which the bill could be re-
ported back with some substantial prospect OF
being passed in the closing hours Of the ses-
SIGN. This chance. however. is considered rather
too remote at the present juncture to give much
encoura agement TO those who desire an immedi-
ate reduction Of war taxes.
THE SITUATION IN THE SENATE.
The Senate this afternoon passed the Post
office and Diplomatic and Consular Appropria-
tion bills. and rejected the conference report
on the Indian Appropriation bill. AS matters
stand there are before Senate committees
the Sundry Civil and General Deficiency bills.
on the Senate calendar are the River and Har-
bor. FoTtifications and Army appropriation bills
In conference are the Legislative. District OF CO.
lumbia. Naval and Agricultural bills The
Military Academy bill has been ordered 10
= he
Senate has yet 10 pass five bills some OF them
involving important and debate provoking
items. There Yet remain only eight legislative
days including Sunday. March 3. which prob
ably will be devoted TO active business. IL is
evident that. taking into account all the de-
bate certain 10 be precipitated on the conference
reports. the Senate must pass these bills at the
rate Of almost day from now until the
close Of the session. Under the circumstances
therefore the prospects for general legislation
are not bright, although the calendars OF both
houses are filled with pressing measures.