Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-02
OUTLOOK FOR SESSION
Uncertainty Of a River and
Harbor Bill.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS
NOT MANY NEW ONES EXPECTED
TO BE AUTHORIZED.
The Speaker Will Look Out for Econom-
The Speaker Will Look Out for Econom.
ical Expenditures-Not Much Gen.
eral Legislation Likely.

Is tleIe SolIS " ut d pOi N Vail Di'A
this session." was the question that in
coming Congressman were eagerly ask
ing at the Capitol today. By pork barri
| bill' they mean a river and harbor appro-
priation act or a general act for the con-
struction of public buildings. These two
measures are very dear TO the heart of
most of the senators and representatives
just now.
Truth to say, the men who canvassed the
subject did not find very much encourage
ment in the outlook. About the best they
could see in it was lnrge and top-heavy
burden of hope resting upon rather shaky
foundation of promise in fact.
Men who talked with Speaker Cannon did
not come away with optimism writ large
upon their features. The Speaker did not
say them nay in so many words when they
limited around about urgent public works,
but he dropped in a remark here and there,
it is said, which kind of dampened the ar
dor of the promoters of the public good, to
say the least.
The Speaker, they say, pointed out that
there is already, as he termed it in his
homely fashion, "a gap of about $50. 900
between the vest and the pants" Then he
went on to say that this deficit created
situation which could be met in one OF
three ways-by economical expenditures, by
borrowing money or by raising more reve-
nue..
He could see one way that this session
of Congress could deal with the situation-to
be economical. Now, boys" he would add,
so they say, Just chew on that for
while"
Two Popular Chairmen.
Chairman Burton of the rivers and har-
bors committee has been a much sought
man since he came to Washington. The
incoming congressman seek him out and
fall fondly upon his neck, so to speak.
They all want to renew their expressions
of fond regard and incidentally to ask if
there is anything doin' in the way of
river and harbor bill. Mr.. Burton can only
say that the committee is looking over the
estimates.
Well informed congressman say today
that in their opinion If there is river and
harbor bill it will be devoid Of pork
barr'f' features. In other words, that 1t
may be possible to pass bIif for strictly
necessary Q5eetsss kaat chat the fAyorite
schemes of many members will havejto be
omitted, and that new works upon large
scale will have to be postponed.
Chairman Gillette of the committee on
public buildings and grounds is expected in
town tomorrow. He is another popular
man about this time. and his levee tomor-
row promises to be well attended In point
Of fact, the public building bill is of more
interest to the rank and file than the river
and harbor bill, and more individuals are
after public buildings than river and harbor
improvements MT. AtIllelte Will StTOlI
around and interview the Speaker tomor-
row, after which he may be in a position
to talk business
Speaker Cannon is going over the finan-
cial situation with the treasury officials
from day to day and getting his armOr on
to resist attacks from the boys" who will
come clamoring for appropriations. Chair
man Hemenway of the appropriations COM
mittee will be here Sunday, and he and
the Speaker will go over the estimates to-
gether.
No Financial Legislation Likely.
Inquiries at the Capitol today about pros
pective financial legislation ELECTED the opin-
ion freely expressed that nothing would
be attempted at the short session. The
House and Senate are quite far apart on the
several financial bills that have been intro
duced. Senator Aldrich is expected in town
tomorrow and will, it is said, look the situa-
ton over next week to see If there is possi-
bilty of any of the financial bills getting
through.
One of the republican leaders of the
House said today that there would probably
be cessation of tariff revision talk for
awhile and until the republicans had ex-
changed views with each other upon the
subject. AS men arrive they show inclina-
ton to go very slowly on the tar1m queS-
ton.
"One thing is certain added this leader,
there will be no rupture in our party over
the tariff. 1t is an embarrassing situation,
without burning our fingers"
Army Estimates.
Chairman Hull of the House committee on
military affairs was at the Capitol today
looking over the army estimates His COM
mittee makes up the army appropriation
and Military Academy appropriation bills.
"The committee will get to work early
next week on the army appropriation BILL
said Chairman Hull to Star reporter this
afternoon. II cannot speak definitely at
this time, but 1 should imagine that we
will probably cut the army bill below the
current appropriation.
There is not likely to be very much gen.
eral army legislation this session, / should
say. l suppose the general staff will come
in with some recommendations One thing
that is being asked is that details to the
general staff shall be upon the same basis
as details to the bureau staff. ! don't know
what will be done about it,
I'VE will probably consider the bill for
the reorganization of the medical corps
although do not know what will be done
| with it. The hearings on the bill were held
at the last session and the army surgeons
are very anxious to have action. I don't
know at this time of any proposed legisla-
| ton for the army in the Philippines The
! Philippine revenue laws may be amended
| but that question does not come before this
committee, but is handled by the ways
and means / don't look for general lecis-