The Washington times., 1907-01-02
Brownsville and japanese
Incidents to Come
Up in Congress.
MUCH ORATORY COMING
Great Interest Centers in
Action of House on Wash
ingtOn Legislation.

maximum OF politics and a mini
mum Of legislation is pretty generally
expected OF Congress during the TWO
months beginning tomorrow. which viii
conclude the present session.
There is a maximum OF work on hand
asking attention. and a disposition To-
ward unbridled oratOry that is likely 10
interfere with the real business. There
WI be Presidential politics concealed ia
every package OK oFaJory Jual Is opened,
II the upper chamber especially. The
preliminarles 10 the great l3Js Iree-for-
al VIII be opened, ana few Uf the
Iayorites viii show some PAGES
HIsht AZ the top OF the list oI features
which have political significance. is the
Brownsville incident, ana the great con-
stitutlOnal DEBATE that is 10 be- featured
by the Democrats in the Senate Both
are aimed al the President. The Demo
Gratis, debating the Rayner ana Whyte
resolutions, propose TO prove that AIR.
Roosevelt has exceeded lis constitution
al powers ia his policy in connection
with his policy in the japanese ahair,
al San Francisco. and the Foraker Re
publicans Will undertake 10 prove a Ike
transgression ia the matter OF the
Brownsville discharge
Roosevelt Hostility.
Mr. Roosevelt. In fact. vii. be- squurely
under the guns OF senatorial hostility.
II he doesn't return JAe lire il viii bv
general surprise
The Democrats constitutional debate
will be based on the Rayner proposition
thai the Federal GoYegnmeaI has u0
power % interfere with the aumiuistra-
ton of Tie public education system Of a
State. Senators Rayuer. Daniel, CuI-
terson, Bacon. CLAY, Morgan, and prob
ably others are expected 90 make
Speeches sustaining she State rights end
OF the argument and &c is anticipated
that some of the Republican Senators
viii reply TO them
The discussion OF the Brownsville
troops Incident will be- as full OF politics
as an egg OF uutrimeut Senators For
aker and SpOOner viii take the leading
parts against and FOR the President ac-
cOrding 10 present understanding. Each
has been preparing "a great speech on
the subject
Lumber Trust in Danger.
Senator Kittredee OF South Dakota
win call up at an early date his resolu-
ton directing an Investigation OF the
lumber trust by the Department Of Com
merce and Labor. and make an address
IN which il is promised he viii set forth
a large amount OF detailed Information.
A similar resolution has passed the
House. and the Bureau OF Corporations
is already planning for the inquiry.
Tie ship subsidy advocates will re-
sumo their effort TO secure action In the
House Merchant Marine Committee on
their compromise measure They have
made so many concessions that IL is
doubted whether they can keen In line
all or their own people Tor the measure
as IL now stands. Their effOrts 20 break
into the opposition ranks have not been
fruitful. and the fate of the measure is
doubtful with chances seemingly
against its passage iu any form
There are stin two Cabinet announce
ments awaiting confirmation. those Of
Mr Cortelyou 20 be Secretary OF the
Treasury. and AIr Garfield to be See
rotary of the Interior on the fO~mei
there Is threat of animated debate in
the executive session of the Senate.
with vigorous suggestion OF protest
against turning the management Of the
Urea Sury ever 20 the chairman of the
dominant political party's national COM
mittee.
Railroads Lose Heart.
One of the earliest conclusions to be
reached on any legislative proposition
VIII be on the bin by Ia Toilette TO
limit the hours of service of railroad
employees. 1t Is no secret that the rail
roads We're loaded up for a determined
night on this bilI. and hoped 10 defeat
H. They have tried hard 10 organize
their employees against H. and 10 is said
with some success. But since the great
Terra Gotta wreck the opposition has
suffered an attack of acute demOTaliZa-
The Interstate Commission viii begin
on Friday an Investigation or this and
other recent wrecks that have been
caused, Il Is alleged, by failure OF the
block system 10 operate effectively, and
in all OF which there IL has been charged
that OVeTWOrking railroad employees, |
daring excessively long hours. has been
an important element. II is pro- alsed
that the Investigation viii not overlook |
opportunity 10 develop testimony along
these lines. and ina this situation opposi- I
tion 20 the bill Is sadly at sea.
Legislation 10 determine the Govern
ments policy toward coal and oil lands
within the public domain viii be urged
70 passage If possible but there is
serious doubt whether il viii become
law, because of the determined Opp0-
sitiou OF powerful interests The fact {
too that the President Is anxious for
81 10 carry will not increase the friend /
Illness OF large class OF Senators whose
opposition 10 the Administration pro
gram is frankly recognized.
La Follette's Big Fight.
Senator la Toilette is going 10 make
a vigorous fight TO get action on the
two bills ne introduced just before the
recess, one 10 require the Interstate
Commission 10 make a commercial
valuation OF the railroads. the other 10
extend greatly SIS power over rates. II
IS strongly suspected that these two
measures, which are backed by pow
erful public sentiment in all parts of
the country. and especially in the West.
will be the basis of a campaign by
Senator Ia Toilette. in the next year.
20 secure organized public backing for
his program OF progressive legislation.
Failure q pass them may make La Fol-
lette the recognized leader OF the large
body OF opinion which demands such
laws.
This possibility may help TO pass the
measures, because of desire 10 rob
la Toilette of ISSUES on which he NAV
Increase his already dangerous strength
with the progressivists Of the Middle
West.