New-York tribune., 1903-01-12
THE PRESIDENT FIRM.
NEW TRUST LAWS asked.
Special Session Probable If Senate
Is DiLGtory.
Irr rrLran.ru TO TIE TRIBUNE ]

mir 20
insure special session if Congress fails to en-
act such legislation at the regular session. 1t
seems somewhat unfair to lay the blame on
Congress II either measure fail it will
o1,estionably be in the Senate. 1t is not diff
cult to see how such failure will be accom-
p;.shed. Despite momentary wave OF re-
sentiment last week, the House has rallied to
r the support of the administration, and under
spec.al rules will speedily send the trust meas
IRE which has been drafted in accordance with
the expressed desires of the executive, to the
Senate: but there a confusion and .congestion
almost indescribable exist. which VIII furnish
q ready weapon TO the opponents of Cuban reci-
rrccity and the friends of trusts.
Foremost in the line of stumbling blocks is
re Omnibus Statehood bill For weeks this
measure has dragged along, and the Senate
chamber has been emptied as the opponents
Of the measure have begun their tedious ad-
dresses Senator Nelson has spoken for four
6avs and has not yet completed his arguments;
Senator Beveridge has already announced that
there are about fifteen other Senators who de-
sire 10 talk against the measure, and more
over a resort TO the tactics Of obstruction, such
rs a frequent raising of the question OF M
quorum has further delayed progress TINS
- All this has thoroughly enraged the
friends Of the bill, and with Senator Quay
&, charge there is not the slightest Likelihood
r -ra statehood bill being shelved without a
$50 T., the mean time the Militia bill is drag
ring along in the morning hour, and the General
Sta.. bill which has passed the House. must
,ar77e Llp presently TO add TO the congesloh'
and soon the great appropriation ollls must oe
considered To break this aggravated lesls-
1a+ive log jam would require not merely great
skill h,I. an almost unanimous spirit OF W1ihne-
-. = e1nedite the legislation so keenly de-
;- : tv the administration That such spirit
5oes not exist is notorious; on the contrary
-he-e Is on all sides indication OF qulte an
other feeling among Senators, which promises
~ ,,ee7,lt in further talking against Time par
1.s~,entary jockeying and all the we'll known
devices 10 increase congestion and delay
TIE SITUATION HARD TO MEET
7, &c with this situation existing that the
T5c,,se measure for curbing trusts VIII red0i
-ra senate When it does arrive 1t VIII Ialu-
rally he referred 10 the Committee on the IuoI-
ciar- the presiding member or WINCH Seila'o
47oar &c absorbingly occupied with the task Oh
,,ro+ec1ing and furthering his own ahu-uuSt
,--oasure which he has cleverly manRuvreo
.-.o -re hest rosition. If the House measure
80 aroerres from Senator Hoars committee
I, * likely to be laden down with amendments
OF 2 character such as to arouse the determined
onrosit;on> of conservative Senators ike Al
srich QUAY and Dryden, and keen lawyers IKE
Spooner Therefore, when the trust measure
C14p Senate
. z-igero1rs opposition and protracted debate.
Tho sole hope of the Cuban treaty appears
20 Ia in reaching the Senate before the trust
,,,,e,,re but this treaty must be ratified within
,yrertv 6avs and between now and January 81
the Senate has only eighteen working days.
with the possibility of adjournment always
eyfsfing IL the Cuban treaty does not pass
within this time there must be a new agree
r9ent to extend the period of ratification and
that win take time.
Accordingly the prospects Of trust legislation
fr the. present Congress are not bright but the
determination of the President, new factor
introduced into the equation last week, makes
an extra session of the LVIIIth Congress seem
probable. There is not the slightest disposition
10 misunderstood the meaning Of the Presi-
dents position but the question has already
been raised to the possibility of antitrust
legislation in the extra session.
The House will GET into line this session
that is apparent from the action taken by
that body last week-but the Senate will retain |
the strongest opponents of trust measures, and
2 protraction of the debate in the extra session
Tray be expected. One good feature growing |
out Of all this possible discussion of trust sub |
d-cts is likely be important contribution |
10 the general fund Of knowledge the trust |
question On the other hand, an extended |
extra session is likely seriously to interfere |
Pacific Coast
Besides the special trust committee the Presi- /
dent has been quietly talking the question over |
with House leaders, the Speaker and Repre- |
sentatives DslzeIl and Grosvenor who consti- |
+u-e the House Committee Rules. He has |
7,een assured that at the proper time rule |
for the consideration of the trust legislation |
which is expected TO emanate from the Judiciary |
Committee will be brought in and adopted. This /
y,,la will provide a reasonable time for debate.
,t its more potent provision will be that at the
end NJ the time allowed for talk vote shall be
had In order that all possible speed may be
made in the direction of getting a bill through |
the House and before the Senate. there will be
irnportant conferences this week among mem
ters of the Littlefeld subcommittee. members
Of the Judiciary Committee and members Of the
T2uies Committee The Speaker will be party
70 these conferences If IT is found necessary to
hold more than one, and the prediction is made
~, those who are familiar with the methods Of
,ha House that when the antitrust bill is
brought in for consideration its path will have
been made smooth. The harmony between the
,,,;,,ov5tv and majority members Of the anti
,r,,s+ subcommittee is taken indication
that the minority will content themselves with
efforts 70 make the bill as drastic possible in
its provisions hut will support il in the end if it
6 found Impossible 10 make amendments in this
direction
HOUSE WILLING, SENATE RELUCTANT
The work of arlaIgamating the two admins
+ratgon measures and the bill practically fin
ssres as the work Of the subcommittee will
he ken up on Monday. This VIII be com
rleted in the daily sessions 20 be held until Fri
ssv when the full Judiciary Committee meets.