New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-25
MUCH WORK FOR CONGRESS
A BUSY SHORT SESSION
Meets a Week from Monday-Im-
Dortant Bills 45oating Action.
rrsoy THE Tribune BUREAU

cefs ~
5av the LvIIIth Congress will meet In its third
- let session The unfinished business on
,bs calendars of the two houses Will prove
annie 10 occupy the entire time remaining 10
.hts Congress- especially as the thirteen regular
.unnlv bills must be disposed Of before an ad-
5ournment March 4
In the Senate the Philippine Public improve
mont bill is the unfinished business. having
the right OF way over all other measures. and
Senator Lodge the chairman Of the Philippine
Committee will call il up at once and press IT
for massage The bill provides for the bonding
Of railroads in the Philippines and for issue OF
bonds for other needed public improvements.
Senator Fairbanks's Public Building bill also
occupies prominent place the calendar, and
IS entitled consideration in the morning
hour" after the conclusion of morning business
This measure provides for the purchase or an
entire square opposite the State War and Navy
Building facing Lafayette Park. and FOR the
construction thereon of building to accommo-
date the Departments of State, Justice and
Commerce and Labor. The Observation-Disclosures
has this measure deeply at heart and made
every effort to secure it's enactment at the last
session. II has many enemies, however, and
Will prove difficult TO pass although 1t may be
that with the election of the way the Sena-
tor from Indiana will. with his usual skill, be
able TO guide il TO a successful issue Mr.. Fair
banks feels that the proposed building would,
TO some extent prove lasting monument to
his service in the Senate.
PHILIPPINE TARIFF IN SENATE.
Another measure which is likely to receive
much consideration is the Philippine Tariff BILL
which with some amendments the President
will urgently recommend in his message. The
last official act Of Senator Hoar was TO an
neunce that on Tuesday, December 6, he would
ask unanimous consent for the consideration of
the bill for the protection of the President,
popularity known as the "Anti-Anarchist bill"
Senator Lodge viii probably make the request
for his late colleague. Senator Hepburn. of
Idaho. has given notice that Thursday. De-
cember S. he will ask unanimous consent for the
consideration OF his Pure Food bill. He may
however. find some obstacles in his path when
the time arrives.
one of the important measures of this ses
sion promises TO be the enactment of law pro-
viding a permanent civil government for the
Panama Canal zone Such a bill was passed
ly the Senate at the last session, amputated
just back Of the by the House and finally
patched up in meagre form by the conference
committee AS enacted the measure merely
conferred the President authority TO govern
the strip through the War Department. With
some experience TO go on the Senate Commit
tee on Interoceanic Canals will doubtless at
tempt TO frame a comprehensive measure at this
session.
In the Senate Committee on Agriculture peace
fully rests good roads" bill which provides
in substance, that when any State shall ex-
pend a given on the Improvement Of its
roads, according TO regulations prescribed by the
national government. the federal government
shall duplicate the sum expended by the State
This is likely come to life and give much
trouble 10 the more conservative members of
Congress. although # is not likely to pass The
objection TO the measure is that it is too likely
10 grow into much Of a log rolling affair
the River and Harbor bill
In the Senate Committee on Territories rests
a Statehood bill providing for the admission of
Arizona and Oklahoma TO the Union What its
fate will be is difficult to predict, although the
facts that Arizona and Mexico are opposed
TO union and that the chief champion of State
hood. Senator Quay, has passed away may be
regarded as untoward signs
The Smoot inquiry is likely TO drag on for
some time. and may furnish some sensational
newspaper dispatches; but there is little indica-
tion Of any action having for It's object the un-
seating Of Senator Smoot. against whose per
sonal record no testimony has been introduced.
PROGRAMME FOR THE HOUSE.
In the House the case Of Judge Swayne will
come up for final consideration on the second
Tuesday of the session. II is not believed that
there is sufficient evidence to warrant his i'm
peachment.
There is coming to the House, in response to a
resoution-whch, by the way was adopted
merely TO escape more definite action-a report
from the Department of Commerce and Labor
the Eight Hour bill. This report may cause
something of a sensation. If the House as
sumed that Secretary CorteIyou would appreci-
the purpose of its action TO the extent of
neglecting to carry out the investigation called
for by the resolution 1t was mistaken, and an in
teresting report is promised.
There is also in a House committee a certain
anu-injunction bill which has the cordial sup
port Of every labor leader. but is generally op-
posed by conservative members of Congress-
Peculiarly enough. Senator Hoar was friend
OF this measure, but II would be hard to find
another friend for the bill among the influential
members Of the Senate and its fate when it
reaches the upper chamber if il ever gets there
IS not hard foresee.
mere are many other measures left on the cal
ehdars OF the two houses but most of them
eaNe some private bills. destined to an n
timely end with the expiration OF the preseDt
congress. Many We're introduced for camDaien
purposes ana have served their end. Others
nave been rendered unnecessary bv subsenuent
-stS,loplleIlts. The simple enumeration of the
-Ssouuchs and Dlls introduced by Senator Nor
gan IN his efforts to defeat the construction Of
nIe Tahalla canal would occupy almost half
lii i'm, ,.Jusi Jusi what the Senator from Alabama
a, il attempt TO do with them is not knov-n II
crop this year nave OH entirely new
co1f-'saa are Two nominations which failed IN he
- iteo hy the Senate and WIFI ~ - - - ~
@saiH py the President. Thev ire 81 pe sent III
9 Us % colonel Albert L. Mills nereS tIolllIia-
F seleral and DR.. Crum who will III aoi pIls
8 q The senate %, 0i tne port of Charleston
business, including the conhTmattSoo VI executive
beF q ne" ofEcfals and the rat,ecat.oI mum
treaties. 0ious arbitration