Omaha daily bee., 1905-09-08
TIE FIFTF-NIYrB CONGRESS.

| The FIFII-NINTH CONGhbSSs
A circular recently issued by one OF
the principal New York banks, which is
understood to be very intimately con
nected with some Of the great corpora
tions, has attracted attention because
OF a forecast respecting the work Of the
| Fifty-ninth congress, the first regular
session OF which begins in a little less
than three months. II is thought that
possibly the views expressed in the cir
cular were inspired by some Of the
republican leaders in congress and
therefore to be regarded as Of more than
ordinary Importance.
II is pointed out that congress is likely
to cut down expenditures rather than to
adopt legislation for increasing revenue,
which simply states what certain leaders
are urging should be done. 1t is un-
derstood to be the intention of Speaker
Cannon to appoint a committee on ap-
propriations that will curtail expenses
wherever It can be done without i'm
pairing the efficiency of the public serv-
ice. Another statement of the circular
is that agitation involving tarifr changes
will be put aside. This is the very gen.
eral expectation. No prominent repub-
lican in congress favors a revision of
the tariff at this time and 1t can be very
confidently predicted that the house
ways and means committee will be com
posed of men in accord with the speaker
in the opinion that it would be unwise
to disturb business in the midst Of
abounding prosperity 1t is further said
that the outlook is that there will be no
financial legislation at the coming ses-
sion. There appears to be no good rea-
son why there should be. The financial
situation is perfectly sound and salts
factory and It is not apparent that 1t
could be improved by legislation. There
is on abundance Of money for all legiti-
mate requirements and 1t is on an abso-
lutely sound and secure basis. 1t is to
be expected that the currency reformers
in congress will propose legislation, but
it is not at all probable that they will
secure any.
The most important feature of this
bank circular refers to the question Of
railroad rate regulation. AS to this it
is remarked that while the president is
most likely to be insistent for such leg
islation, 80 far as congress is concerned
it is doubtful II a subject so complex
can be disposed Of in a single session."
Herein is a recognition of President
Roosevelt's firm stand, which some have
shown a disposition to doubt, on this
question. The railroads and allied In
terests are not looking for any change
or modification of the presidents atti-
tude respecting the regulation of railway
rates, but they are hoping that congress
will find the matter so difficult that It
cannot be disposed Of in a single session
and it is needless to say that the cor
poration representatives and attorneys
in congress will find all possible means
to obstruct the effort to secure such leg
islation. This will be the question of
paramount interest and Importance in
the Fifty-nlnth congress and there is rea-
son to believe that there will be action
which will meet in part at least the pub
lie demand. Undoubtedly the house of
representatives will pass bill enlarglng
the powers of the interstate commission
over rates. The senate will hardly ven
ture to place itself in hostility to the
house, the president and the public by
defeating such legislation. 1t is true that
body has generally shown little regard
for public sentiment, but so overwhelm-
ing has become the demand for railroad
rate regulation that there is reason to
think the senate will now feel compelled
to give heed to it. The Fifty-ninth con-
gress, we do not hesitate to predict, will
take some action on this very vital ques-
tion at its first session.