Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-02
ARE NOT IN HARMONY
Both Houses Of Congress Not
Pulling Together.
ALDRICH BILL FIGHT
MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PASS THE
SENATE.
Many Influences Being Brought to
Bear to Effect Its Passage
Other Bills Affected.

Interest In the leSlSlaUNe SiludtioH III
Congress was at high tension today. Con-
gress entered upon the homestretch with
the double political teams not pulling IN
harmony. There We're visible evidences OF
baking on the part of the democrats, and
it seemed as If the republicans. II they sue
ceeded in pulling the machine, would have
to drag the democratic team along bodily.
Interest centered about the Senate stu
alton during the early part of the day The
question heard on every side was, would
the Aldrich financial bill pass. No measure
Of legislation Of recent years has excited
more attention in Congress than the pend
ing financial measure which bears Senator
Aldrichs name Strong pressure from inf1u-
entail financial and corporation quarters
Ia being exerted upon Congress to get the
measure through. The banking interests of
the east, and especially of New York, are
putting every pound of pressure they can
bring to bear upon both houses Of Congress
This is supplemented by pressure from the
great railroads of the country, whose bonds
would be favorably affected by the legisla-
tion. The only opposition comes from a
faction of democrats and from western
bankers. who express the fear that the bill
will result in placing the greater amount
of the money to be released from the treas
ury into New York banks. where, they say,
1t will be used for speculative purposes at
manding money to move the crops.
Want to Get It Through Senate.
1t may be said, also. that opposition is
found in the House. where prominent re-
publicans favor the Fowler currency bill
AZ a measure of financial relief. In
preference to the Aldrich bill. The advo-
Gates of the Aldrich bill only want to get
the measure through the Senate, being will
frpy for thn fn nn1 In hot
way 1t can. trusting to the conference COM
mttee to shape up practical bill to relieve
the financial stringency of the country.
When Senator Aldrch reached the Cap
itol today at II o'clock, expecting to call up
his financial bill at the first opportunity and
being assured of sufficient number Of
votes in the Senate to pass 1t, If the bill
could be brought to vote, he was met by
the announcement that several democratic
senators intended to talk the bill to death.
The names OF Senator'S Du Bois. Heitfeld
and Blackburn were mentioned in connec-
tion with the report that extended debate
on the bill would be necessary. number
Of democrats such as Bailey, Teller and
Bacon were In favor of the bill, and other
democrats opposed 1t, but were not inclined
TO make filibuster against it's passage.
Senator Dubois was disposed to persist In
his opposition to the bill, Notwithstanding
the appeals that were made to him not to
push the fight to the extent of preventing
vote on the measure. 1t was reported
that Senator Dubois was moved to this
course partly from a consideration of retri-
button upon the republican managers for
filibustering against the statehood bill.
Some OF the republican senators who have
been consistent advocates of the omnibus
statehood bill urged Senator Dubois not
to defeat the Aldrich bill. but during the
earlier hours of the day they had not sue
ceeded in changing his intentions
Senator Aldrich and the trainers of the
bill did not abandon their efforts 1t was
said this afternoon that fhaV
tinue In their endeavors to get the bill
through the Senate, even If 1t were neces-
sary to ask their colleagues to remain in
session tonight While the bill was being de-
bated by those who entertained objections
to It. The friends of the bill persisted in
their optimistic mood from the fact that
such strong pressure is being brought to
bear upon the Senate from so many quar-
ters they believe that 1t must have favor
able effect in time to send the bill over to
the House and get it into conference.
Other Bills Jeopardized.
The general deficiency appropriation bill
came up as soon as the Senate assembled
1t consisted Of 1S3 printed pages, and Sem
ator Dubois insisted that the bill should
be read in full. This consumed several
hours of the early part of the day.
The Philippines tarirf bill is waiting for
chance to get before the Senate after the
Aldrich bill is out of the way. The republi-
cans intended to put the democrats on
record II they persist in opposing the Philip
pines bill. which has been recommended by
the President in special message to the
Senate as a necessary measure of relief
for the deplorabe conditions existing in
the Philippine Islands.
Another bill that Is causing great deal
or anxiety among the rank and file of SEN
ators and representatives is the omnibus
public building bill The Senate and House
are at odds upon amendments proposed
and the senators and representatives who
are interested In the provisions of the pub
lie building bill were eXerting their utmost
during the afternoon to compose the differ
ences between the two houses and get the
bill before the President.
The action of the President in calling a
special session of the Senate to meet
March was generally approved. as sen
ators are anxious to go right along with
consideration of the treaties and wind them
up as soon possible The best judgment
uation is that it will take from two to
three weeks to ratify the Panama and
Cuban reciprocity treaties. 1t will not he
hardship to most of the senators TO re-
main In Washington for that time. as they
have business to wind up in the depart
ments.
The new Senate will commence business
March o. with every newly elected senator
present. Most of the new senators are
now in the city and the others have been
telegraphed to come.