Washington State journal and Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1906-1907, 1906-12-05
congress begins
FIFTY-NINTH SESSION Is EX.
PECTED TO Be SHORT.
Appropriation Bill Will Reach at Least
a Billion DoIlars-Ship Subsidy Bill
to Come Up-Tariff to Be Consider
ex-senator Reed Smoot Case Is to
Come Up for Settlement.

The passage of the appropriation
bills and as little other general legis-
lation as possible. Such in brief Is
the forecast for the short session Of
the Fifty-ninth congress, which begun
at noon Tuesday.
Circumstances will have the effect
Of condensing the consideration OF
the IA large supply measures into
two months. Considering that the az
gregate of the appropriations to be
considered will approximate one bill
ion dollars, some senators and men,
tt1ars express the opinion that congress-
cannot do better than give all of Its
time to these measures.
The report on the ship subsidy bill
probably will be an exception to the
rule for no general legislation. The
friends of that measure have never
been more insistent than now. They
are extremely hopeful and yet very ap-
prehensive. The bill has passed the
senate and is in committee in the
house.
The senate has on its 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
OPPOSITION to the Philippine bill, espe-
cially as it is not believed that it can
possibly receive serious consideration
during the short session.
Not a few members Of both houses
are anxious to meet the demands Of
bankers and others for a more elastic
currency. and it is quite certain that
there will be efforts to supply this
want in the session.
Suggestions looking toward amend
ing the railroad rate law are not ex-
pected to bear fruit this session. All
these measures and many others are
certain to receive attention in the de-
bate.
Among 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 efforts
| will now be made to secure the mOdi.
| fcation which even many republicans
think desirable.
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 de-
termined to press consideration, the
fact is that the matter must be dealt
with. and is beginning to impress Itself
upon members and they are pressing
seriously for its consideration. The
Michigan senator will set the ball roll
| ing Monday, the 10th instant, In q
speech in which he will review the
. entire case.
| 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 IL
general disposition to grant these The
! increase Of the navy will receive much
consideration, but there is still oppo
4 - he proposed ship of the
Dreadnaught class.