New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-08
THE SENATE PROGRAMME,
PHILIPPINE BILL FIRST.
pOte on December 16-lStateh0od ,
Crum Case and Committees.
lFRoM THE TRIBUNE BUREAU. ]

Washington. Dec THE Senate steering
committee met this afternoon and agreed on a
programme for the present session. Senator
Lodge secured unanimous consent to order
providing that the vote on the Philippine Public
Improvement bill shall be taken on Friday, De-
cember 10. The steering committee decided that
Immediately after the passage of the Philippine
bill the Statehood bill should be made the I'M
finished business. The committee also deter
mined 10 press the nomination of Dr. Crum for
Collector of the Port of Charleston. s. c., for
confirmation, and decided that the immediate re-
organization of the Senate committees nee
essary. 1t is expected that Friday, the 18th.
adjournment will be taken until Monday, the
10Th, and that that day the Christmas recess
Will be taken. ending on January 8.
The action of the steering committee In de-
Gliding the consideration of the Statehood bill,
and on other legislative measure. is generally
regarded as indicating that the Senate leaders
do not expect to pass much other important leg
isation at this session. There will probably be
some opposition to the Statehood measure and
somewhat extended debate is expected. that,
with the appropriation bills. it vii a
stop gap to fend off legislation which. for any
reason, may prove undesirable.
While the difficulties which confronted the
Committee Committees in filing the assign
ments made vacant by the death OF Senator
ton at the last session. 1t is now felt that fur
Their postponement would prove a grave injus-
tice to Senators Dick, Knox and Crane, all of
whom would lose A years seniority the COM
mittees their assignments put off until
next fall, when number of new Senators will
enter the chamber. For that reason the Com
mittee on Committees Will now face the prob
lens before 1t and attempt solve them.
The craftsmanship Of the Judiciary Is already
provided for by the succession of Senator
Platt, OF Connecticut. and the vacancy will
probably be filled by the addition OF Senator
Spooner who member of this COM
mittee, but resigned. Mr. Spooner desires
the assignment. and his seniority entities him
to it over Senator Knox who had hoped to
secure the place. Senator Plat, of Connecticut
will be succeeded as chairman of Cuban Rela-
tons by Senator Burnham.
The most difficult place TO fill is that OF chair
man of InteroceaniC Canals, made vacant by
the death of Senator Hanna. Senator Platt, of
New York, is the ranking member but has
signiied a desire to retain the Craftsmanship Of
Printing which he has long held The next
ranking member is Senator Mitchell of Oregon,
and his interest in the coming Portland eXposi-
ton may make it Impossible for him TO serve.
while his long championship of the NiCarag qua
route is regarded rendering him out of SYM
pathy with the Panama project. 1t is possible,
however, that he may succeed to the chairman
ship
Among the more desirable committees In which
vacancies exist, in addition the judiciary. are
ileges and Elections. Public Buildings and
Grounds. and Rules. All of these the Commit
tee on Committees viii fill. 1t is probable that
Senator Lodge Will yield his place on POStOffiCeS
and Post Roads to his colleague Senator Crane,
and It is regarded as likely that Senator Knox
will find a piece on Indian Affairs