New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-27
COMPROMISES LIKELY.
OUTLOOK IN CONGRESS-.
Settlement of Differences Betoceen
House and Senate Ewpected.
[From The TrIbune Rureau.l


tween the House and the Senate over the prin-
cipaI measures Of legislation which now present
an issue between the two houses. In the early
part Of every session Of Congress there is more
or less friction between the House and the Sen
ate and at times this difference Of opinion
seems impossible to adjust But the wise men
in both bodies know from experience that as
the end Of the session approaches difficulties that
had seemed insuperable yield to solution, and
when the time Of adjournment approaches both
branches usually in accord.
The leaders in the House and the Senate are
looking forward to the adjournment Of Con-
gress between May 10 and June 1. Two or three
weeks ago, when the issues between the two
bodies were acute, such an early date OF ad-
journment would have seemed impossible A
spirit Of compromise is prevailing now, how
ever acerbities are becoming less prominent and
legislators are getting into mellower disposi-
ton.
THE STATEHOOD SITUATION.
The Statehood bill and the Philippine Tariff
bill are tho two principal thorns in the side Of
each legislative body. Perhaps IL is somewhat
dificult for the public at large to understand
why there is such obstinate disagreement be-
tween the House and the Senate over the state
hood bill. The obstnacy probably is more ap-
parent at times than real. In the first place the
House organization was compelled to insist
it's bill in order to enforce party discipline. It
was known in advance that the Senate was op-
posed TO the House Statehood bill, and a group
Of Republicans in the lower body were in sym
pathy with the Senate. They expected to Join
with the Democrats and frame a bill agreeable
to the Senate. 1t was incumbent on the House
organization after a caucus had been held to
whip the recalcitraut Republicans into line.
That was done When the bill came back from
he f1a NJ
party discipline was again repeated with Ike
results.
Now however the case takes a different
pect. The question resolves itself into propo-
sltion whether the House shall peremptorily in
sist on its views or whether legislation shall take
the course which has been dictated by expe-
rience and become case Of party compromise.
Speaker Cannon is being urged by members
of his party, both in the Senate and the House
to acquiesce in the customs OF the past and
permit the Statehood bin to be formed by the
best thought OF both House and Senate. 1t is
being urged on him that in so doing he will not
be subjecting the House 10 defeat as the his
tory Of all perfected legislation is example
OF compromise. President Roosevelt is being
appealed to TO lend his influence to carry out
the compromise plan.
Brought down 10 a practical basis, the ques-
ton is whether pride Of opinion between the
two houses shall result in statehood legis-
lation at ALL or whether by little yielding on
both sides some legislation which each side de-
sires can be obtained. 1t said to-day that
common ground for compromise might be found
in bill which would allow the immediate ad-
mission Of Oklahoma and Indian Territory and
would submit the proposed admission Of Arizona
and New Mexico to popular vote at the next
regular election. The Foraker amendment pro-
vided for immediate election. The friends
Of joint statehood have said that If they could
have sufficient time to present the question to
the voters they could win a majority in both
territories for Endorsement OF the joint state
hood plan. Prominent Republicans in the House
and Senate are now looking for a compromise
on the basis thus outlined. Their efforts, how
ever Will depend on further compromises on
other bills.
The House insists that the Philippine Tariff
bill, which has been pigeonholed in committee,
shall be brought into the Senate and vote on
it permitted. The outcome Of such a vote is in
doubt although the opponents Of the bill assert
that il will be defeated II the Senate should
reject the bill by a substantial majority II would
die. but the House insists that opportunity be
given to show whether that majority exists.
COMPROMISE ON RATE BILL.
The Railroad Rate bill without question will
be compromised. The House does not insist that
the Hepburn bill shall be accepted In its en-
tirety. II was passed in its present form because
Of the fact that it was impossible TO handle the
bin in any other way than the one adopted. If
majority Of the Republicans Of the Senate
agree on some amended bill, there is no
question that it viii be accepted by the House
The conferrees OF the House and Senate will
meet tomorrow to consider the Consular Re-
form bill, which was passed by the House after
material modification. The Senate conferrees.
Messrs. Cullom. Lodge and Morgan are pre-
pared to resist the House amendment by which
the clause providing for the transfer Of consuls
In the same class from one place to another, in
the discretion OF the President was stricken out
This provision is regarded by Senator Lodge as
OF great Importance in enabling the State De-
partment to operate the consular service with
some regard TO the individual capacity OF con-
suls. The proposed rule is intended to prevent
where a high quality OF work is desired The
provision was stricken out by the House Com
mittee on Foreign Affairs. which felt confident
that the bill would not pass If the clause pro-
viding for this transfer remains in H. There
are several other minor notifications made by
the House To which the Senate cOnferrees will
not object and an early agreement is likely 10
be reached by the give and take method The
House conferrees are Representatives Adams
DENLY and TOwne.
The Senate Republicans insist that Shin
Subsidy bill shall be passed this session Shin
subsidy is not popular I'm the House. but the
question IS so unimportant 10 the majority OF
the members that II Is considered probable that
the bill might be passed IL other measures in
which the House Is interested could he agreed
on by the two bodies
kl,.