Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-24
Legislation and Patronage to
Make the Capital Lively.
VIEWS OF THE LEADERS
THE TARIFF, SHIP SUBSIDIES,
AND RAILWAY LEGISLATION.
An Extra Session of Congress Favored
on All Sides--Congressme Want to
Dispose of Vexing Questions.

1t is being whispered around in congress
sional and official circles that there Is to
be a great shake-up among the federal
office holders soon after the 4th of March
1t is well known, of course, that several
changes in the seats of the mighty are In
contemplation, but the latest gossip goes
further and says that there are to be trans
fers and removals all along the line.
The consular and diplomatic service, ac-
cording to these reports, is to be gone over
with the wedding hoe, and some beneh-
ciaries of former administrations rooted out
to make place for new planting. Rumor
has It also that two or three assistant secre-
taryships in the departments will show
changes. All of this talk is very interesting
to the incoming congressman, every man
Jack of whom has patronage very close 10
his heart and the corridors and lobbies have
been buzzing with the gossip for several
days.
Vague but Persistent Reports.
Up to this time the reports are rather
vague OF, at least, lacking in detail and
specification, but are persistent and 1t may
be added seem to be received with consider
able credence by officials and congressman.
Everybody seems to think that there Is to
be a very lively and interesting winter and
of Congress is to be anything but dull, and
IL the extra session is called the attention
of the whole country Will be. riVeted on
Washington. Then, there is an air OF eX-
pectancy as to what the President Will do
after his inauguration for on all sides can
be heard expressions of anticipation OIL ac-
ton People seem naturally to expect 1t,
not apprehensively by any means, Dut WIN
plea expectancy of something stirring.
There will not be many dulI moments III
Congress. The unfinished business on hand
is sufficient to keep the solons employed
pretty steadily, if they desire to clear up
the calendars before March 4. and several
important subjects for future considera-
ton and action are to be discussed ana
mapped out in the meantime.
Enough has been elected from prominent
republican statesmen arriving to indicate
that the tariff question Is to receive calm
and thoughtful consideration. What the
ultimate decision will be no one can tell at
this time, but one thing can be put down
as certain right now, namely, that the re-
publican party in Congress is not going on
half-cocked on the tariff question.
No Objection to Extra Session.
Thus far there seems to be no objection
tc an extra session of Congress to consider
the tariff. On the contrary the idea Is
more favorably received than otherwise.
the statesmen explaining that the matter
will have to be taken UP some time ana
that the sooner 1t is cleared out OF the
way the better for business.
Already II Is known word has gone from
Washington to some of the larger industria
interests not to be alarmed over the talh
of tariff revision. as 1t Is not the purpose
of the republican managers in Congress 10
harm American industries or remove the
protection now given American LABOR In lts
connection with European labor, but that
any changes which are made will tend only
to euualiZe conditions.
II is not believed at all probable that a
tariff commission will be authorized. Fast
experence in that line has not been satlS-
factory, and In the last year or two Con-
gress has awakened to the fact that too
much of it's power was being delegated 10
commissions and like bodies. The House
will be especially insistent upon keeping
the tariff bill in it's own committee and
will jealously resent any overtures looking
to its removal.
Schedules Framed for Trimming.
No effort is made by the stand-patters
to DENY that some of the schedules of the
Dingley act could be lowered. The author
of that BILL 1t is recalled by those who
were on duty when it was being prepared
admitted that some of the rates could he
lowered Governor Dingley was a far
seeing and thoughtful constructive states
man, as everybody recognizes. He fore
saw the time when there would be de-
mands for tariff revision and for reciprocity
treaties, and he advised his colleagues
to frame the bill so 1t would leave mar
gin for future trimming, If necessary.
If Governor Dingley were here he him
self would probably apply the prunine
knife, but he would do 1t in way that
would put no man out of job who Is now
at work. Some of his colleagues are here
some of the men who helped him construct
the measure which has brought THIS coun'
try a degree of industrial prosperity al
which even Governor Dingley. II his shade
could look one, would marvel and won.
der. These men intend to see to 1t thai
the wonderfully complex, delicate and tt
some extent interviewer and interdependen
machinery of the tariff law shall be re
adjusted in fashion not to cripple. hui
to make it run more smoothly and turI
out better results.
The Desire of Radical Democrats.
That, of course, is what the revisionist!
want at least, the protectionist revision
lists. Mr.. w. Bourke Cochran of New
York and Mr.. Champ Clark of Missouri
would revise the tariff with stick o
dynamite. They and their democratic sym
pathizers who ut the last session ap
plauded the sentiment of Mr.. Cochran ant
Mr.. Clark that they would destroy tn
tariff structure from turret to foundation
stone" would blow up the entire tariff
machine.
But the republican revisionists from tn,
middle west, who are leading in tn,
movement would infinitely rather stant
pat than turn the tariff over to the tender
mercies of Cochran, Clark ct al However
they claim now that with big republi
can majority in the House, where tn,
tariff bill must originate, it is possibl,
for the republicans to get together afte
March and readjust that machinery 81
that it will run better.
Shipping and the Railroads.
Another subject that is likely to pro
woke a great deal of discussion is the re
juvenation of the American merchan
marine. 1t is a noteworthy fact that tn,
section of the country which is most in
sistent for tariff reform is most violentl,
opposed to ship subsidies. 1t is believed
that the two questions will have to e,
together and that compromises will b,
sought
Interstate commerce legislation. de
manded by the shippers of the middl,
west will occupy the attention of Con
gress, and will add to the Importance an,
interest of the session. Altogether tn,
next year Is likely to be a history-mak
ing twelvemonth In American Legislation
and politics. and. at least, the countr.
xtat Uo to bao n,