Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-01
THE WEEK IN CONGRESS
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS NAY &C.
CUPY THE SENATE.


day. Tie Senate will not do very much leg
islative business this week 1t is not ex-
pected that the session will occupy more
than two days-Thursday and Friday. The
ship subsidy bill is the unfinished business,
and Senator Gallinger may open the debate
in favor of the measure. This will depend
upon the desire of senators WHO may wish
to consider other business. There IS a con-
siderable amount of executive business,
some of which Is in controversy, and this
may consume the few days the senate is
in session. At the time of the adjourn
ment the confirma ton OF the Panama canal
commissioners had been reconsidered and
the nomination of Mr.. j. B. Bishop as new
commissioner had just been made. These
nominations had all been referred to the
committee on interoceanic canals, and 1t is
expected that early reports will be made
in order that the Senate may take them up.
There are some other nominations I'M con-
troyersy, notably two officers who have
been redetailed as chiefs of bureaus In the
War Department, and legal question has
been raised as to the meaning of the law
providing for such details. Some other
nominations have been held up and the SEN
ate may devote all its time this week to eX-
ecutive business.
Even IL nominations are not to be con-
sidered the new developments In Santo Do
mingo will afford opportunity to discuss the
not before the Senate, having a second time
been referred to the committee on foreign
relations. 1t is expected that 1t will be
amended in several particulars before 1t
again comes before the Senate. As If in
anticipation of the flight of Morales and
the establishment of another government IN
Santo Domingo, the State Department nad
recommended that the treaty be amended
SO that It would confer authority upon the
United States to deal with any existing
government in the island. Possibly the sit
uation may be discussed in the Senate even
before the treaty Is reported
Admission Of New States.
The House of Representatives will settle
down to work as soon as it meets Thurs
day, and possibly before the end of the
week it will pass the bill providing for the
admission of two new states.
TIL efrst thing to dispose of is the refer
ence of the Presidents message, the subject
upon which floods of oratory were expended
before the holiday recess General debate
has Closed and after a short discussion I'M
der the ave-minute rule a vote Will be taken
upon the only contested point, which Is
whether the portion of the message relating
to insurance shall be referred to the ways
and means committee or the committee on
interstate and foreign commerce. The con-
tention has been over the point whether
legislation for the control of insurance COM
panies shall be under the taxing power of
commerce between the states.
There was g. possibility of clash between
the Philippine tariff bill and the Joint state
hood bill The Philippine bill Is already re-
ported and being privileged matter, can
be called up at any time The statehood bill
is still in committee but 1t Is known that 1t
can be brought out at any time and put be-
fore the House. Acting in accordance with
the decision of the republican caucus 1t Is
expected the majority members of the COM
mfttee on rules will bring in a rule making
the statehood bill a special order for the
admission of two states. AS the measure
now stands and as it will be reported, 1t
provides for the admission of Oklahoma and
Indian Territory as one state, with the
name Of Oklahoma, and the admission OF
New Mexico and Arizona as another state
named Arizona. There is practically no OPP
position anywhere to the Oklahoma PROPOSE
ton. but there is determined opposition TO
coupling New Mexico and Arizona together
Particularly do certain interests in Arizona
object and the objection is voiced by the
almost unanimous vote of the minority.
When the statehood bill is out of the way
the House will be ready for the Philippine
tariff bill, and the interesting contest that
ensued over the reduction of duty on Cuban
products is likely to be repeated. The beet
and cane sugar interests have become
aroused and have built up vigorous oppo-
sition, but the present plan does not con-
template bringing up the Philippine bill this
week.