Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-12-07
Only seventy-seven Days in
Present Session to Dispose
of Business
THE PRESIDENTS PET MEASURE
Ship Subsidy Bill Considered by
Roosevelt as of Greatest Importance
Immigration Bill May Secure an
Early Hearing-swamp Reclamation
and Other Matters.
By RoBERTUs LOVE.


~ congress ever held in time of
peace has had so many impor-
taut measures for discussion as
the present session will have. With
only seventy seven working days, it is
safe prediction that the lawmakers
will burn a good deal of midnight cleo
tricity. The unfinished business from
the long session of the Fifty-nint con-
gress looks large enough to occupy the
time until the 4th Of March, and a del
uge of new bills is indicated.
II Secretary Root In his recent
speech at Kansas City was spokesman
for the administration it appears that
the ship subsidy bill. already passed
by the senate, will be the presidents
pet measure for the winter session.
General Charles II. Grosyenor of Ohio
as chairman of the merchant marine
committee has charge Of this bill. This
grizzled congressional veteran, who
failed of denomination, retires to prl-
vate life next March. General ,Gros-
venor Is noted fighter, and as It is
but natural that he will want to close
his career in congress with triumph
1t is safe to assume that he and his
friends win put up one Of the stiffest
fights in parliamentary history for the
passage Of the ship subsidy bill.
President Roosevelt's we'll known at
titude In favor of maintaining strong
navy as the chief guarantee Of our ma
tional defense compels his support Of
this measure, which carries as highly
important feature the creation of a
great naval reserve. 1t is pointed out
by supporters Of the bill that from a
military standpoint aside from its com
mercial aspect it Is very important
measure. With American merchant
ships manned by American sailors,
they argue, in case Of war there would
be substantial reserve from which to
draw. This measure. therefore, finds
earnest advocates both among those
who stand for the world power theory
In military and naval strength and for
our worldwide commercial expansion.
May Have an Early Hearing.
The immigration bill is another piece
of unfinished business which promises
to be thrashed out to finish. Or
ganized labor favors this measure,
which provides an educational test for
immigrants. The hordes Of illiterates
who have been dumped upon our shores
from European countries are not well
coined as equal competitors by Ameri-
can workingmen nor as proper mate
rial for the making Of American citi-
zens. Opposition to the educational
clause requiring that immigrants adj
mitted to these shores be able to read
and write comes chiefly from the large
transportation companies, which look
upon each immigrant merely as one
steerage fare. There are also those
who oppose this clause because Of the
fear that it may shut out Russian
Jews and other unfortunates who seek
refuge here from the insufferable
prosecutions of their governments at
home. 1t is predicted that the immi-
grafton bill will have an early hear
ing, probably before Christmas. and
that the fight will be made chiefly on
the educational test.
OF legislation Immediately concern
ing labor there Is an unusual amount
in prospect The anti-injunction bill
and the eight hour bill promise some
lively forensic fireworks. Both are
strongly urged by organized labor and
as strongly opposed by organized lob
by. For the renewal Of the battle both
sides are lined up in solid phalan1.
The bill to limit the working hours OF
railway employees is one Of general
interest which will come up again.
Long hours for railway employees
mean in many cases short lives for
railway passengers.
One Of the minor matters to be con-