New-York tribune., 1905-01-04
EXTRA SESSION In JUNE?
TO REVISE THE TARIFF.
President Considering Ito Insist
on Railroad Rate adjustment.
IFRoM THE TRIBUNE BUREAu.l

washington Jan. 3.-President Roosevelt is
.srsousiy considering the advisability OF calling
Congress together in extraordinary session some
tine next summer. possibly about June / He
would prefer to have the tariff revised this
spring. but realizes that there is not sufficient
time n a short session OF Congress for tho
exhaustive argument and delberation that the
adjustment Of the tariff schedules would en-
tail.
After he abandoned the hope OF getting the
desired legislation through before March { the
President inclined 10 the belief that the subject
COULD hest be settled by extra session. to
he convened Immediately after the adjournment
NJ the regular session. TO continue into the sum-
rner. This idea was greeted with chorus OF
protests from members OF Congress. who did
NOT wish 20 be kept the capital. the str-sNs-
est argument against the plan being adva4h 81
nv the members Of the Ways and Means Com
,littee OF the House. who pleaded io- more
time for the preparation OF the bill If they
were 10 be called in extraordinary session. they
rleased. why not call thera together next fanR
IN the mean time they woldd have plenty OF
opportunity 10 think things ovs-. and by Oo-
-obe- or November they would be in a state of
ena rrauaredness for the consideration OF rev.
enue snd protection
The President ia now Of the opinion that per
hans ndddls time course might be steered
with profit &c the country. If the lawmakers
sre called here IN Jll1s, Just when the heated
term begins II has been suggested that they
might hurry their work With the ther-
rnorneter flirting with the 90s. it is not at all
likely that the orators would waste so much
breath as they would ordinarily, when weather
conditions are more oongenial. Every man un-
der the big white dome would be anxious to get
home. and II every one understood that ne had
10 remain until the job was finished the de-
sired result might be reached in a remarkably
short space Of time.
This idea, it should he said has been sug-
gested by the President merely as one of several
that could be carried out. There are arguments
for & fall session Of Congress that outweigh
those for a summer sitting in the judgment OF
many Senators and Representatives. and il is
not al au likely that they will, a majority,
favor coming 10 the capital in midsummer.
Several important members of the Senate have
made arrangements for European vacations
that would have 10 be abandoned if a summer
session were convened. The Senators, of course,
are very much opposed to the suggestion, and
i they have any influence over the President
may persuade him that a meeting in the fail
woUlo be better for all concerned. and may
promise their hearty cooperation While the
President is Just as much determined as ever
10 bring about a readjustment of tariff rates
70 meet present day conditions, he is much more
interested just now in the question OF legisla-
ton on interstate commerce.
II q new law enlarging the powers Of the Inter
state Commerce Commission providing for
some equitable adjustment Of railroad rates is
not placed on the statute books at the present
session OF Congress it must be passed al the one
which VIII convene before next December. The
administration IS determined that the policy
tfaiI he carried our and no questions brought
up by interested parties TO befog the issue will
be allowed 10 interfere with that programme.
The effort that some of the railroad interests
have made TO secure the passage of a law legal
izing pooling is example of one of these
side Issues" Some OF the railroad magnates
have intirnated that II they get that concession
they win agree TO a mo rebate" law but the
President and his trusted advisers will not con-
s6er such a bargain. If Congress pleases to
pass q law allowing the pooling Of railroads.
well and good That has nothing to do with
the issue upon which the President insists, and
which he declares 10 be Of 100 per cent more
importance than the tariff.