The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-12-03

reached Is yet to be ascertained as there are so many ways in which a law of this kind can be avoided.
 The trusts will receive attention, at least in debate. although some doubt is expressed about any effective leg islation being passed. Following a campaign in which the trusts were made a vital issue it Is natural to ex- pect that there must be great deal of talk on the subject whenever there is an opportunity.
 Interstate commerce legislation in some form or another Is always pend- ing in Congress and there may be an effort to enlarge the powers of the In terstate Commerce Commission so as to allow it to fix rates. Railroad in terests have and will continue to op- pose this measure. Another pending measure is to permit pooling and this is opposed by the shippers. With so much contention there is little prospect that anything will be done. A bill to amend the law for the safety of em- ployes of railroads has been reported and it is expected that it will pass.
 An Eight Hour Law.
 A bill which has agitated Congress for a number of years providing for eight hours work only, on all Govern ment contracts, no doubt will be re-
 
 Labor which has given much time to hearings. bill of similar character was lost in the last Congress by being crowded out by other business. The same fate may await this measure should 1t be reported from the com mittee.
 Senator Hepburn of Idaho has given notice that he will call up the pure food bill during the first week of the md fhn ri de nf ho Ya hope to have 1t passed But there is strong opposition which will take ad vantage of the Senate rules to attempt to defeat the measure by delay.
 A measure which created great deal of interest in the last session and which no doubt will cause considerable discussion if it comes up again, is a bill providing for several large camp sites in different sections of the coun- try, and for the use of the regular army and militia for drill purposes. The localities most likely to get the sites if the bill becomes a law are en- ergetically pushing it to the front while disappointed rivals are opposing it.
 Senator Fairbanks, who has only three months to serve as a Senator be- fore he becomes Vice-President. and who as Chairman of the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds. has en- deavored to secure a bill providing. a building for the Departments of State, Justice and Commerce and Labor. will try to bring about a favorable action on the bill In the ninety days he Is to remain a national legislator. There are other public building bills pending, but 1t Is not expected any general om- nibus bill will be. pushed at this ses- eion.
 Irrigation has become a permanent legislative topic. Intcrwoven closely with The public land question 1t has resulted in setting two House commit toes by tho ears and creating wide difference of opinion among Senators from Western States. Several meas ures intended as amendments to the irrigation law have been suggested and are before Congress. If the Western men were united they no doubt could secure some legislation, but being di- vided It Is quite likely that nothing will be done.
 Two years ago in the long session of Congress a river and harbor appro- priations bill was passed, but 1t was omitted in the session. which ended last April. IL Is the intention to pass bill al this session and the men hav- ing 1t in charge. remembering that