Los Angeles herald., 1906-12-03
CONGRESS HEARS
BILLION TALK
APPROPRIATIONS TO OCCUPY
LAWMAKERS
National Assembly Has Much to Do
at the Coming Session-Fourteen
Supply Measures Have
Right of Way
Rv Assoclnlod Press.

- : y
Such i'm brief is the forecast for the
short session of the hfty-ninth con-
gress, which will begin at high noon
tomorrow.
There has not yet been time for as
general an exchange of views among
members as is ordinarily desired by
leaders before expressing their views,
but all seem to regard the present sit
uation as so simple as to need qpmpara-
lively little intercourse to arrive at an
understanding.
1t is evident that for various reasons
1t Will not be possible to do much on
the appropriation bill before the holi-
day, and the circumstances will have
the effect of condensing the considera-
tion of the fourteen large supply meas
ures into two months. Considering that
the aggregate of the appropriations to
be considered will approximate one
billion dollars, some senators and MEM
bers express the opinion that congress
cannot do better than give all of its
time to these measures.
Ship Subsidy
The report of the ship subsidy bill
probably will be an exception of the
rule for no general legislation. The
friends of that measure have never
more insistent than now. They are
extremely hopeful and yet very appre-
hensive. The bill has passed the sem
ate and is in committee in the house.
The committee has heretofore been
quite evenly divided, but the advocates
of the bill believe that they will be
able to get it out in due season and
they hope for its consideration when
once reported to the house. Speaker
Cannon has given no positive assur-
ance as to his attitude, but the bills
supporters find encouragement in his
silence.
One incident that is very materially
helping the subsidy bill is the recent
speech of Secretary Root in support
of it.
The fact that the speech was deliv-
cred in Kansas City is helpful. as the
ship bill has found it's principal oppo-
sition in the interior of the country.
There have been some significant
conferences on the bill among the most
influential members of the two houses.
immigration and Tariff
The Senate has on it's calendar two
important house bills, the immigration
bill and the Philippine tariff bill, but
there are snags in the pathway of both
of them There is still intense oppo-
sition to the Philippine bill, especially
as it is not believed that it can now
possibly receive serious consideration
during the short session.
The session bids fair to be productive
of many bills, and also of much ora
tory
Not few members of both houses
are anxious to meet the demand of
bankers and others for more elastic
currency, and it is quite certain that
there will be efforts to supply this want
in the session.
Inheritance Tax
The recommendations of the presi-
dent in the interest of national. in
heritance tax law is awaited with
eager interest by many and there is |
no doubt that large following could |
be secured for the measure of the
character he will outline, but as in cur
rency reform, the few weeks of the |
session will not suffice for adequate |
consideration. 1t is also recognized |
that the present plethoric condition of |
the treasury would furnish strong ar |
gument against the proposed innova-
ton.
Suggestions looking toward amending
the railroad rate law are not expected
to bear fruit this season. All these
matters and many others are certain to
receive attention in the debate.
Among the questions slated for lib
eral share of discussion the tariff
stands at the head of the list, but no
one has the least idea that any serious
effort will now be made to secure the
notifications which even MANY Re-
publicans think desirable. The Presi-
dent, who himself desires some
changes. has recently promised his
congressional callers that he will not
ask to have the subject taken up at
this time.
Japanese and Negroes
The Japanese question, the discharge
of the negro soldiers, the desirability of
an income tax law, the result of the
late election and the trusts are also
slated for discussion and it is ex-
pected that some of these questions, if
not all of them, will receive oratorical
attention from Democratic members as
soon as the first appropriation bill is
laid before the house.
senate's Bugaboo
The senate will give attention to the
case of Senator Reed Smoot, but what
it will do about it, not even the senate
wishes now to contemplate.
There has from the first been dis
position to put the Smoot case aside,
but with the report of the committee
on privileges and elections on the cal
endar and Chairman Burrows quite de-
termined to press consideration, the
fact is that the case must be dealt with
members and they are asking seriously
for it's consideration.
The Michigan senator will set the
ball rolling Monday, the 10th inst, in
a speech in which he will review the
entire case and he will doubtless be
followed by other members of his COM
mittee for the Utah senator. He mere
ly declares Mr.. Smoot not to- be en-
titled to his seat, and much opposition
is likely to be made to the question.
What Is equivalent to a resolution of
expulsion, but unlike a declaration for
expulsion in explicit language, will not
require a two-thirds vote to pass.
Mr.. Shoots friends will not yield
this advantage without a struggle. The
question is a privileged one and Sem
ator Burrows has expressed his deter
mination to utilize all his rights in
keeping it to the front.
Panama and the Navy
Much interest attaches to the Presi-
dents forthcoming recommendations
concerning the Panama canal, princi-
pally because OF his recent visit to the
canal zone. 1t is not expected that he
will ask much legislation beyond the
necessary appropriations and there is
general disposition to grant these.
The increase of the navy will receive
much consideration but there Is still