The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-12-02
LEADERS SEEM
TO BE AT SEA
Financial Situation Obscuring All Other Questions
to Come Before Present Session of Congress.

washington. Dec 9.--Never az the be-
ginning of any congress have the leaders
OF both parties found themselves more at
sea concerning legislation than they are
on the eve OF the convening of the 6otE
congress today.
The financial legislation is obscuring all
other questions and all the members or
10th houses whether leaders or follow
ers. confess their inability 10 forecast
what viii be done on the subject There
A. some general division along party lines
but there Is also great divergence OF
views among both Republicans and DEM
ocrats.
IN his speech Of acceptance SATURDAY.
night Speaker Cannon hinted at the pos
siblity OF some amendments 10 the rail-
road rate law, and but for the disturb
ance I'm the money centres there Is little
doubt that these would have been under
taken during the session.
The Democrats have already indicated
purpose of trying to force tho tariff TO the
front but the Republicans are so largely
I'm tho majority in both houses and are
SO united in their aim of postponing ac-
lion upon this important subject un-
Ill after the presidential election that
their opponents have very little hope OF
accomplishing anything
Among other questions which viii re-
ceive serious attention will be that OF
taxing the sales made on the stock EX
changes. Ii is too early however. TO say
whether such efforts at legislation Will
be successful.
There will be some antitrust talk, but
the financial panic will probably have the
effect OF curtaillng II TO considerable
extent.
The Philippine tariff bill and the bills
for the admission OF New Mexico and
Arizona as states will be introduced early
in the session. and II Is probable that all
of them will receive considerable atten-
ton, but IL is not so probable that any
of them will become laws az this session.
The friends OF the scheme for deepening
the channel OF the Mississippi river will
try 10 inaugurate that enterprise during
the session. The president Is expected 10
recommend I'm his message n channel OF
not less than IA feet from New Orleans 10
keokuk which would initiate an issue
which will be pressed until the desired
end is attained.
II is also understood that the president
will recommend an appreciable enlarge
nicnt of the navy, and while congress
does not seem prepared 10 completely fol-
low him I'm this matter. the prospect is
good for some increase in the navy
A number OF resolutions OF inquiry
growing out OF the financial situation Will
be introduced by Democratic senator's
and members early I'm the session.
Even now the men who do most to for
mulatc the policies OF the two houses are
considering an adjournment OF the ses-
sion as early as possible They are using
the fact that the national conventions
will probably be held In June TO infu-
ence both Republicans and Democrats.
and the response Is generally favorable TO
having tho session come In TO a close not
later than the last OF May. ~
The speaker will try TO get the house
committees into working order before the
holidays. and a caucus OF the Republican
senators will probably be held today af
ter the adjournment OF the senate for the
reorganization OF the senate commit
tees.