New-York tribune., 1906-12-03
CONGRESS PROGRAMME.
FOR SHORT SESSION.
Many Important Legislative Meas
ares To Be Taken Up.
From The Tribune Bureau. ]


Washington, Dec. 2-Congress which meets
in annual session tomorrow. has an interesting
and important programme before it, and sous
effective team work must be done If all this
really important legislation which the leaders,
hope to dispose OF is enacted before N cocx
strikes 12 on the Of March 4
A considerable amount of important legisla-
tion comes over as unfinished business from tbs
session which adjourned June so. while varf-
GUS Senator's and Representatives have new
measures for which they will seek earnestly TO
secure favorable consideration. OF course, the
fourteen big appropriation bills. which supply
the funds for the continuance Of the govern
nlent. will have right Of way, and the who
secures the enactment OF any other important
measure can do so only by exceptionally efficient
manoeuvring and marked diplomacy.
In the Senate. the Philippine Tariff bin seems
destined to occupy the centre Of the stage for a
considerable time. This measure passed the
House at the last session and was left in the
Senate Philippines Committee. IN the House =
strenuous effort will be made 10 secure the en-
actment of the Shipping bill, which passed tbs
Senate last session and Is now in ths House
Committee Merchant Marine and Fisheries
A new immigration bill, with clause providing
an educational qualification for would-he nlmi-
grants. left in conference last, session and
Captain \. p. Gardner. Representative from
Massachusetts. has come to Washington in his
war paint. determined to secure the approval OF
this measure. In the Senate. Senator Lodge.
who is conferree. will second the efforts % his
son-in-Iaw in the House. The measure pror 1sses
10 preciptate more pretty fights. Us the
men who want the cheapest sort os labor TO
build railroads mine coal. etc. fighting tooth
and nail measure which they fear viii limit
the labor supply and so increase wages.
TREATIES AND SHIPPING.
The Senate Will hardly have disposed os The
Presidents message and the routine opening
business when Senator Cullon. chairman of the
Committee on Foreign Relations, will be on his
feet moving that "the Senate proceed 10 the con-
sideration OF executive business which. being
translated Will mean The AigeCtras treaty. OF
which The Senate has, by unanimous consent.
agreed to vote December 12. As soon the
Senate meets after New Years Mr.. Cullom will
again press the Dominican treaty. with excel
lent prospects of It's ratification. ard he viii IN
this work enjoy the active and effective CO.
operation of Senators Spooner and Lodge, both
influential members Of the Connmi.-Ne on For-
eign Relations.
senator Frye. as father of the shipping
bill may find the field Of his activities confined
10 the House in the early part of the session.
where he will work with Genera! Cirosvenor for
a favorable report on the measure Mr.. Frye
will join with number of his colleagues IN an
effort TO secure the support OF Speaker Cannon
whose disapproval of this measure in the past
has always meant it's ultimate death. Later
on. when the Shipping bill comes back to ths
Senate with a request that conferrees be ap-
nointed. Mr. FRYE who believes the law viii be
enacted NAV have his hands full in the Senate
and IN the conference chamber
Senator Reveridge will make his entrance On
the legislative stage almost as soon as the cur
tain rises with a carefully prepared measure
nrobibitins child labor. Senator Lodge pur-
poses 20 introduce bill Of the same character.
nd the combined efforts Of these statesmen may
result In putting it up 10 the House Mr.
Rsreridge will also Introduce a bin amending
the Meat Inspection law. This, too will be a
sinp,e measure merely restoring those pro-
visions which the House struck from his bill ~
last vasr. the clauses providing that the packers
nut the date on every and that the cost ot
inspaction be borne by the packers. As the SEN
ate promptly adopted these provisions last year
/, is probabie tt will do so again What will
be done TO the measure in the House IL ia hard
70 nraJfct but the fate of Representative Wasts-
worth. whose efforts 20 befTiend the PacSsss
last wear cost him his reelection, may prove
warning 10 others who would be disposed ~ op-
pose the bill
OPPOSITION LEADER
.,o+or blackburn of Kentucky. has heen
chosen Democratic leader by his election -
chairman Of the Democratic caucus. and. al
tbouph this action was taken last session. q
was late In the legislative year. ana this viii
AaIIv be the first session at which his leadership
can he fairly Judged Mr. Blackburn succeeds
the late Senator German as minority leader, and
the conduct OF the minority under his guidance
will be watched with interest Senator Black
-, LIN this wear concIydc a service OF eighteen
,.aars in the Senate. and It is regarded ittirs
mat he should lead his party during the closing
sassion of his service. He Is an able speaker.
with a commanding voice and a dow OF graceful
Language. while he has deep respect for the sti-