Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-12-01
Senate Will Take Up Question
of Admitting oklahoma,
New Mexico and Ariz.
WILL BE FIRST ON CALENDAR
Agreement Was Made at Last Session
to Make the Statehood Bill Unfinish-
ed Business at Beginning of Short
session-other Measures Before the
Congress.

Washington, Dec. 1.-The admission
of the territories of Oklahoma, New
| Mexico and Arizona as states of the
union, probably will be the subject of
general Importance to receive the at
tention of the senate which begins at
noon today.
| After the omnibus territorial bill
passed the house last session its friends
| in the senate were SO insistent on ac-
| ton by the senate and SO strong in
point of numbers that, in the interest
of other pending legislation, unani-
nous agreement was reached that in
consideration of abatement by the
| friends of the measure during the last
session the committee on territories
would report on the bill on next
Wednesday, Dec. 3, and that week Ia
| ter the bill should become the unfinish-
ed business of the senate, which means
| that unless the measure shall be dis
placed by vote or unanimous consent
| it will occupy the first place on the SEN
ate calendar until disposed of.
| II is current expectation that this
program will be carried out whether the
committees report is favorable or I'M
| favorable, as the agreement contem-
plated consideration, regardless or the
character Of the report.
There is no definite information as TO
what the committees decision Will be,
but at the last session all the repupn-
can members of the committee except
Senator Quay voted to defer considera-
lion, while Senator Quay and all the
democratic members voted for immedi-
ate action, the result being a majority
of one for postponement. 1t is known
that some of the republican members
favor an amendment of the bill so as
to provide for the admission only OF OK
lahoma, and it is the prevailing opinion
that the committee will divide on this
proposition, all republican members ex-
cept Senator Quay being considered ia
vorable to it.
However, the transportation of one re-
publican vote would insure the report
of a bill to admit all three territories to
statehood, as Senator Quay and all the
democrats are firm in favor of a tri-
state measure.
A protracted debate in the senate is
| probable. The friends of the house
! measure claim to have the support of
| all the democratic senators and of from
fifteen to eighteen republicans. There
is, however, determined opposition on
the part of some of the republican lead
ers, who deny the omnibus bill has the
strength its friends claim for it.
Other questions which, in addition to
| the appropriation bills, expected to re-
ceive attention of the senate at this ses-
sion, are the trusts, the tariff and Gu
! ban reciprocity.
1t is possible that the Cuban ques-
| ton may be postponed until the pre-
ceding commercial treaty with the Gu
ban government shall be transmitted TO
the senate. but there has not been any
determination on that point. Very few
republican senators admit the probabil-
| ity of any change of the tariff law dur
| ing the present session, but some bills
TO modify present schedules may be in
| troduced and speeches made thereon.
] Some senators speak of the creation OF
tariff commission as possibility, but
| there are differences of opinion as to
the utility of such policy There is
quite unanimity of opinion favorable
| to ANTITRUST legislation, and this opin-
/ ion goes to the extent of predicting re-
suits along the lines indicated by At
/ torney General Knox for the amend
ment of the Sherman anti trust law
Differences of opinion as to the consti-
nationality of some Of the proposed
changes have developed already.
The present week will barely witness
the beginning of the three months
work. Tomorrow the usual committee
of two senators will be appointed to call
on the president and resolutions of re-
greet for the death of Senator Mcmillan
of Michigan will bring the days session
to close a few minutes after assem-
blage. 1t Is possible that the oath OF
office may be administered to General
Alger, Senator McMillan's successor
but even this ceremony may be post
poned for a day.