The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1906-12-06
BY gibson GARDNER.

The work of congress in the short
session Just beginning will be
found in the consideration of the
following topics:
Regulation of swollen fortunes
by Inheritance or income tax.
Tariff revision.
Currency reform.
Limiting the hours of railway
employees.
Prohibiting child labor.
Porto Rican citizenship.
Ship subsidy.
immigration restriction.
Lower tariff against Philippine
goods.
ENLARGED navy-mammoth bat
ueships.
River and harbor improvement,
Eight hour bill.
Anti-injunction bill.
Smoot case.
Santo Domingo treaty.
Publicity for campaign expenses.
Chinese and Japanese exclusion.
Federal insanity laws.
Parcels posts,
Postal banks.
1T is not expected that all the
above Iubjects will be the texts for
legislation. In the matter of regu-
lating swollen fortunes, for ex-
10 &c ba
for anything more than the open
ing of the debate by the introduc-
ton of bill Tariff revision, like
wise. will only be talked about.
The questioi of regulating the
tide of foreigners who pour into
the ports of New York and Boston
will be brought up early. A bill
for this purpose passed beth the
senate and house in the closing
days of the last session, but was
held up over the education clause
President Roosevelt is anxious to
see the education clause in the
law, but the influence of the
steamship companies was toe
much for him. The education
clause would exclude about 60 per
cent of the immigrants who come
from Russia and the south OF
Europe.
Another bill which is more or
less imminent is the La Toilette
law for regulating the hours of
railway employees, in the interest
of greater safety for the travelling
public. This measure was also
held back at the close of last ses.
sion.
The protection OF child slaves of
the industrial system has been
forced to the front by Senator
Beveridge, with Senator Lodge as
close second President Roose
welt is enlisted in the cause. Sen.
ator Beverage spent the past
summer working out remedy
and now says that he has a bill
which IS constitution proof.
A very lively debate is promised
this session over the question OF
naval expansion and river and
harbor improvements. The two
subjects have been Joined by the
question of expense. If the navy
Is to cost so much, 1t will be i'm.
possible, say the house financiers
to permit the passage Of a river
and harbor bill Of the character de.
manded by people of the Middle
West.
During the past five years the
cost of naval expansion has been
s499, 100000; which is $45,000,00C
more than has been spent on river
improvement in 1870 years.
The subject of subsidies for our
merchant marine has been made
live one by Secretary Roots
speeches and President Roosevelt
desires for such legislation The
senate has passed the subsidy bill
and 1T will doubtless be reported
early to the house.
The Philippine tariff reduction
is tied up in the senate committee
on Philippines. The sugar and TO
bacco trusts have been able tc
keep 1t there up to date. 1t is one
OF the presidents pet measures.
The labor organizations are
hopeful that the anti-injunctior
and eight hour bills will be taken
up for action this winter. The
eight hour bill is a measure tc
forbid any purchase or use by the
government of goods manufactured
by firms not observing the eight
hour day.
The need for amendment OF the