Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-24
Probable Object of Reported
Extra Session.
TO CONSULT CONGRESS
MAKING A SEA LEVEL WATER
WAY OR NOT.
Senate May Balk at Extra Session a.
1t Did Once Before-TariR
Talk.


gress in extraordinary session he got tho
horse to water. but did not make him drink.
The Senate. with lordiy disdain of presi-
dental views of the urgency of the case.
pestered around for while and decided to
let the subject matter go over until the
regular session-and It went
Many senators have deprecated the pro-
posed calling of Congress In extra session
this fall. II Is only far 10 SAY however
that their position has been based princi-
paiiy upon the understanding that the ex-
ira session would deal largely with tarifY
revision and railway rate regulation. As
Is well known. the Senate is opposed to
both propositions and IT is not reasonable
to assume that the upper body will enter
with much enthusiasm into discus sion of
these subjects three weeks in advance OF
the regular assembling OF Congress.
Isthmian Canal Matters.
But the dispatch from Oyster Bay. pub
lished In last Saturdays Star, reporting the
intention OF the President to call Congress
together November II, intimated that 18TH
milan canal affairs would be brought TO the
attention OF Congress at the extra session
In advance Of tariff or railway rate resula-
ilon- III the executive has important bust
ness in connection with the isJhm.an canal
to bring to the attention of Congress IL is
probable that opposition TO the extra ses-
sion Will be abated and that the Senate
may even delgn to take part in the legs-
lative proceedings.
1t is assumed in Washington that the
president has in mind the consulting OF
the Legislative branch with reference to
making the canal a sea-leve canal or GO
ing ahead with a system of locks and
dams. 1t is not understood that questions
or administration demand legislative atten-
ton, as the President has plenary power
under existing law to get over such ques-
tons
The country is aware OF the Presidents
desire to make haste in the construction
OF the canal and appreciates the fact that
his desire only reflects existing sentiment
throughout the land. 1t is not unlikely
that the President has concluded that ex-
petition requires the sanction of Congress
to further plans and that he wishes to get
the matter out of the way before the regu-
lar session comes on:
1t is not altogether clear that three
weeks time would be sufficient for Discus
sion OF changes in plans. or permanent au-
thorlzaton, for the record of the Senate
on canal debates has not discIos d a dis
position TO hurry. However If practical
recommendations come from the executive
ana from the engineers the Senate may
decide to approve or disapproye readily.
What Senate Will Not Do.
One thing is said to be certain-that no
railway rate legislation or proposed tariff
revision will be listened to by the Senate
as long as such an important question as
the permanent isthmian canal needs dis
cuSSlon and elaboration. If the President
deems 1t of sufficient importance to call an
extra session for 1t, the Senate may find
1t so important to require very deliber-
ate consideration. In the meantime tarin
revision and railway rate legislation the
uhwelcome guests summoned 10 the sena-
toral meeting, could wait in the ante
chamber.
When the new Congress assemblies the
hands of the President will be matarialIv
strengthened in the House. The smashing
republican majority which was rolled up
IN the last congressional elections will
bring to the House a number of men who
may De said to owe their election entirely
to the Roosevelt tidal wave of last fall
The Roosevelt party in the House will be
strongly intrenched.
There need be no delay in organizing the
House. Mr.. Cannon of Illinois will be
elected speaker without republican oppo-
sition. The old officers of the House will
be reelected. details for that having been
arranged by the leaders before the last
session closed. The democrats may have
a little fun over the minority leadership
there is a strong faction opposed to MIR.
Williams of Mississippi
Notwithstanding the big ma jority back
of him in the House in behalf of proposed
tariff revision, the Presidents success in
getting legislation may be qualified by the
sentiment which is aroused throughout the
country meantime. AS The Star has point
ed out in the past few days, there is agl-
tation throughout the country for and
against revision, and it promises to in
crease in intensity in the next few weeks.
On the one side is the well-organizad and
vigilant Tariff League and on the other a
number of commercial bodies which may
succeed in combining and forming a
formidable organization. The prospect Of
an extra session is calculated to stimulate
activity of these associations in behalf of
revision.