The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-08-20
SPECIAL SESSION
CONGRESS MAY BE CONVENED IN
OCTOBER.
Cuban Treaty and Financial Legis-
latiOn will Be Considered Pres
ident Has Long Conference With
Members of the Senate Financial
Committee.
Committee.

Oyster Bay, Aug. 14.-President
Roosevelt's conference with the men,
bers of the subcommittee of the senate
finance committee was not concluded
until the small hours of the morning.
The whole subject of financial leigsla-
ton at the approaching session of con.
gress was discussed thoroughly. The
committee, consisting of Senator AL
drich, chairman; Platt, Connecticut;
Allison and Spooner, did not even pre-
sent a tentative draft of currency bill
to the president. although some presen-
tations which may subsequently be en-
bodied in the measure were reduced to
concrete form. No definite conclusions
as to the shape of the proposed legisla-
ton were reported. The conference re-
lated rather to methods of procedure in
the work at hand than to the form of
the legislation. At 1880 a. m. the
members of the committee left Saga
more Hill, boarded the yacht Virginia
and sailed for Providence on their re-
turn to Senator Aldrich's home.
One fact of distinct importance was
developed at the conference. While an
extraordinary session of congress next
fall is assured, it has not been deter
mined definitely whether it will be
called to meet in October or November.
1t has been supposed that the extraor-
binary session would convene on Mon
day, November 9, but the indications
now are that it will be called for an
earlier date, perhaps several weeks
earlier.
The primary object of the extraordi-
nary session will be to enact legislation
making operative the Cuban reciprocity
treaty, but financial legislation will also
be pressed upon the attention of con-
gress soon after it convenes.
Treaty With Cuba.
Three of the senator's present at the
conference are members of the senate
committee on relations with Cuba
Paltt, the chairman, Aldrlch and
Spooner. All of them, particularly
Mr.. Plat, who has made a profound
study of the situation in Cuba, regards
the necessity for the enactment of the
Cuban treaty legislation as very urgent.
President Roosevelt entertains the same
views. It is understood that the sug-
gestion of an extraordinary session at
at date earlier than November 9 was
made by these senators because of the
urgency of the Cuban legislation.
1t was pointed out, too, that If con-
gress were convened at an earlier date
the entire work of the extraordinary
and regular sessions could be cleared up
| by the time the national conventions
are to be held next year. On many
accounts this is regarded as desirable,
and it would be great convenience
not only to the president, but also to
the member of both the senate and
the house.
Financial Bill Not Drawn.
1t can he said that the senate finance
committee will draft no measure for
mally and conclusively until consulta-
tions have been held with other men,
hers of the senate-Democrats as we'll
as Repubicans-and with members of
the house and with the best authorities
on finance in the country. 1t is the
desire of 1.-THE committee to be in con-
slant touch with the president, with
other senator's, with members of the
house, with bankers OF the West, as we'll
as those of the East, and with country
bankers as we'll as city bankers, so that
some plan of legislation may be formed
by tbs opening of the extra session.
1t is the hope of the committee to
| Jo.,;,a n ~ Of OF IL ouo
tem-a system that will expand when
necessity shall arise and contract when
the necessity shall have ceased to exist.
Senator Aldrich, when asked by e
representative of the Associated Press
with reference to the visit of the sem
ators to the president, said:
"The Republican members of the
subcommittee of the finance com mittee,
who recently met for an informal con-
ference at Warwick, +. l., talked with
the president about financial condi-
tions and the need of legislative
changes. No bill has been drafted or
agreed upon, and none will be until
after the fullest conference with our
Democratic associates Of the subcom.
mittee and all the members of the
finance committee. 1t is, however, our
purpose to have bill in readiness for
prese ntation to the senate at the begin
ming of the extra session, if one shall
be called in October or November. We
are hopeful that bill can be agreed
upon and reported that will receive the
approval OF both houses and afford
prompt and efficient relief to the bust
ness interests of the whole country"