The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-22
CONGRESS- TAKES
 A SHORT RECESS Cannon's Boom to Be Worked
 Up During Holidays SPEAKER IS REAL BAD MAN "UncIe Joe' Is Lively Candidate for the Presidency and Is Getting
 Ahead of Taft and the
 Others In the Race.
SPEAKER IS REAL BAD MAN

Washington, December H.-(Special.)-- Congress adjourned this afternoon until January G. when the real work of the session will begin. Since the opening of the session early in December practi- cally nothing has been done None of the more important matters to be con- sidered in this session have been con- sidered at all. Washington is almost as deserted tonight as in midsummer. Less than half the members of the House at tended the 15-minute session today In the Senate only few were present, al- though considerable business was trans- acted. Practically all of the representa- lives and senators living east of the Mis- sissipp river have gone to their homes to spend Christmas, while many of those living in the west have gone also So far as the republican congressman are concerned, they have promised to put in the bulk of their time in organizing movement for the nomination of Speaker Cannon in their districts.
 This work is to be done systematically, ascertaining what men have been as- signed by the friends of the speaker to get to work and see that Cannon dele gates are selected for the national re- publican convention.
 Speaker Cannon has made visible gains fin his fight for the nomination since Con- gress opened His friends have grown more aggressive and confident and so far as noise and boastful claims are con- cerned they certainly are far in advance of Secretary Taft, Senator Knox or Vice President Fairbanks.
 Speaker Cannon today declared himself to be a real 'bad man." "I am all right and peaceful if you don't cross me- he told Representative Young of Michigan, "and easy enough to handle if you let me boss; but very, very bad if I can't have my own way"
 Disasters To Be Probed.
 Stirred by the large number of serious accidents in the coal mines of the coun- try during the last month or so In which hundreds of miners have lost their lives, Congress Is preparing to make careful investigation into the matter.
 resolution was introduced today which paved the way for this inquiry. calling for the appointment of a joint commis- sion composed of three senators and three members of the house. The resolution directs that the cOmmlSSlOH NiSit tHe coai mines in Pennsylvania, Alabama, West Virginia and in western states and make careful inquiry. into existing condi- lions. together with an inquiry as to the causes of the recent disasters, and what steps are necessary to prevent similar disasters in the future. The commission is instructed to complete its work as quickly as possible.
 Senator Scott said that there had been so many serious accidents in coal mines of the country recently that he believed it necessary that steps should be taken 10 render the mines safer.
 His resolution was referred to the com nittee on mines and mining.
 Gaines Uses Hammer.
 We should have gone to Wall street and tnrottled the thieves and turned back to the honest people their hard earnings. So John Wesley Gaines proclaimed In the House of Representatives today by way of protest against the adjournment Of the House from today to January for the Christmas holidays
 At this utterance Mir. Payne or New York laughingly inquired what subject was before the House.
 .tOh.' said MT. Gaines, T expect more men than the gentleman from New York will laugh in Wall street at what say But that does not deter me from con- demning their imposition and their out rage upon the plain people of this coun- 
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