New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-04
CONGRESS- BACK TODAY.
SITUATION IN SENATE.
Rate Legislation Practically Assured
Philippine Tariff and Statehood.
rFrom The Tribune Bureau. ]

from The Tribune Bureau.I
Washington. Jan. Both houses Of Congress
will, meet again at noon tomorrow after the
holiday recess. No definite programme for the
next few days In the Senate has been prepared
The Shipping bill has the right of way. and
WILL If needed serve its purpose as stop
gap Senator Gallinger having had 1t placed on
the calendar as the unfinished business" just
before the Senate adjourned for the holidays
There is likelihood of more or less debate on the
subject of Panama, and Senator Bailey Is known
to have been gathering ammunition for an at
tack on the administration, although it is not
known If he is as yet fully prepared to deliver
his broadside There will. of course. be many
nominations to be considered in executive ses-
sion.
# is always possible too, that debate the
railroad rate question may be precipftated,
despite the fact that the Committee on Inter
state Commerce has not yet reported, and may
not for some time report a measure to the
Senate. There are some indications that the
committee will in the end report practically all
the measures thus far introduced, leaving the
final framing OF the legislation TO be done on
the floor of the Senate. or, perhaps, to be ac-
complished by the adoption Of some measure
not yet introduced. There already indica-
lions that the leaders disposed to permit
the younger members to introduce and discuss
without limitation any measure they may choose
to father while the older men reserve their fire.
their opinions and perhaps their bills until the
time arrives when, steam having been blown
off and the atmosphere cleared" the Senate will
be ready to get down to business and seriously
to consider the subject. Ultimate success for
the Presidents policy IS. however. practically
assured.
With regard to Statehood and Philippine tariff
legislation the Senate will, OF course. await the
action Of the House on the measures already
reported to that body It is declared with con-
fidence that the Philippine Tariff BILL II received
from the House In reasonable time, will pass
without serious opposition. save from few
Democrats who will talk against It for time
and then weary OF their task
It is still Impossible to make any definite pre-
dictions regarding Statehood although the indi-
cations are that the measure will be taken up
and passed In fornn-wtthout the Foraker
amendment making single Statehood for Ari-
IONA and New Mexico dependent on the ap-
prevail of a majority OF the voters OF each Ter
ritory If that end can be accomplished without
prolonged opposition: with the Foraker amend
ment If it's advocates show determination In
their efforts to secure its adoption
The friends Of the Shipping bill. which Is. as
stated. the diminished DuSllAoSSp UOSASAi0
themselves confident that the measure will COM
mand the approval of the Senate but 1t is DIFF
ecult TO discover a sufficient number of It's
riand. 70 afford a reasonable basis for such con-
eda,ca while every Indication in the House
notnts to failure for the subsidy measure
there Unless the next few weeks reveal some
Indication of change Of heart on the part Oh
the Sneaker and his advisers. it will doubtless
$50 aif1cu1t to command sufficient enthusiasm
to insure the passage OF the bill.
PROGRAMME IN THE HOUSE.
RIO hul reducing the duty on Philippine
oa,,c+s will be the regular order of business
a. +ba House tomorrow and for several Gays
o,+erward. instead OF the Statehood bill, as had
haa,, ,revIously arranged This change was
,,o,assarv because the Statehood bill is not
ready 10 report while the Philippine Dill was
ranorted before the holiday recess and is no"
IN the calendar Moreover, Chairman Payne
~ tho WAYS and Means Committee announced
that he would can up the bill when the House
met after the holiday recess, and there VIII Dc
no reason for delay because of insufhcient no
tice.
Crbo;rr,en Hamilton of the Committee on
rarritories has been here since Monday and has
endeayored to get his committee together put
It does not seem likely that meeting can Do
held this week. The Statehood Dill Is IN IIle
bsnds Of a subcommittee, some members OF
which will not arrive until next Monoay. II Is
necessary for the subcommittee TO report |"
the full committee before the bill can be re-
noT+ed to the House Although the bill Is al
Tnost complete. there are some details yet to ar
range such as division lines for judicial dls-
+ric4s IN the new State or States. Nor has the
fnai draft of the prohibition amendment yet
been made It is the intention or MT ham
ilton TO reintroduce the bill after 1t mas peeh
nerfected SO that amendments will not be nee
essary on the floor Of the House. All this may
mt II over unti the Philippine Tariff bill is
ont OF the way although there would be no
great opposition to displacing the Philippine
bill in order to take up the Statehood DILL on
which extended debate is not expected.
No time limit has been set for debate on the
Philippine bill The measure. coming from the !
Ways and Means Committee, Is privileged ana
can he taken up without a special rule. 1t Is
expected that an agreement TO vote may be
reached after a reasonable time. Chairman |
PAYNE will open the debate tomorrow, accord |
ing 10 present arrangements, and some mem |
Der of the minority is expected to follow