River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1906-12-06
FORECAST OF THE
SHORT SESSION
NOT MUCH GENERAL LEGlsLA
TON is POSSIBLE.
May PASS THE SHIP BILL
It's Friends Are Hopeful of Success
Senate Must Take Up
Case of Reed
Smoot


Washington, Dec. 3.-The passage
of the appropriation bills, and as little
other general legislation as possible.
Such, in brief. is the forecast for the
short session of the fifty-ninth con-
gress.
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 COM
paratively little intercourse to arrive
at an understanding. 1t is evident
that for various reasons it will not be
possible to do much on the appropria-
ton bills before the holidays and this
circumstance will practically have the
effect of condensing the consideration
Of the Il large supply measures into
two months. Considering that the ag-
gregate of the appropriations to be
made will approximate $1,0O0,0OO, 900,
some senators and members express
the opinion that, congress cannot do
better than give all of its time to
these measures.
Ship SubsIdys Chances.
The ship subsidy bill probably will
be an exception to the rule for no gem
eral legislation. The friends of that
measure have never been more insist
ent than now. They are extremely
hopeful, and yet very apprehensive
The bill has passed the senate and is
in committee in the house. The COM
mittee has heretofore been quite
evenly divided, but the advocates of
the bill believe that they will be able
to get 1t out in due season, and they
hope for it's consideration when once
reported to the house. Speaker Can
non has given no positive assurances
as to his attitude, but the bills sup
porters find encouragement in his
silence.
One incident that is very material
ly helping the subsidy is the recent
speech of Secretary Root in support of
it. The fact that the speech was de-
livered at Kansas City is helpful, as
the ship bill has found its principal
opposition In the interior of the coun-
try. There have been some signifi-
cant conferences on the bill among
the most influential members of the
houses.
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 pathways of
both Of them. There is still intense
opposition to the Philippine BILL espe
cially, and it is not believed that it
ing short session.
The session bids fair to be produc-
tive of many bills, and also of much
oratory.
Currency Bill Wanted.
Not few members of both houses
are anxious to meet the demands of
the bankers and others for a more
elastic currency, and 1t is quite GER
tain that there will be efforts to sup
ply this want, but there are SO many
plans that even the most sincere be-
levers in the necessity almost despair
Of accomplishing anything in that di-
rection during a short session.
The recommendation of the presi,
dent in the interest of a national in
heritance tax is awaited with eager in
terest by many, and there is no doubt
that large following could be Sc
cured for a measure of the character
he will outline, but, as in the matter
OF currency reform, the few weeks of
the session will not suffice for ade-
Quate consideration. 1t is also recog-
nized that the present plethoric con-
dition of the treasury would furnish
strong argument against the proposed
innovation. Suggestions looking to-
wards amending the railroad rate laws
are not expected to bear fruit this
session. All these matters and many
others are certain to receive attention
In debate.
Among the questions slated for a
liberal 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 Repub-
licans think desirable. The president,
who himself desires some changes,
has recently promised his congression-
al callers that he will not ask to have
the subject taken up at this time. The
Japanese question, the discharge OF
the negro soldiers, the desirability of
an income tax, the result OF the late
elections and the trusts are also
slated for discussion, and 1t is even 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.
Case Of Reed Smoot.
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 dispo-
sition to put the Smoot matter aside,
but with the report of the committee
on privileges and elections on the cal
endar and Chairman Burrows quite
determined to press consideration, the
fact that the matter must be dealt
with is beginning to impress itself
upon members, and they are preparing
s~2Aa1a.aeIaA.se~ aAesa.esf1A esa.esS1