The Washington herald., 1908-05-03


acceleration OF House opinion. has at last
driven the recaleitrant members into
line. and almost his whole legislative
programme as outlined in his special and
ordinary messages bids fair to pass the
House this session.
Perhaps the victory Of the President
has been IN part made possible by the
fears Of certain members that unless the
legislation he desired, which was pre-
eminently good campaign legislation,
should pass some Of them would go down
TO defeat at the polls next November.
Perhaps, on the other hand. the
younger members of the House have
awakened to the belief that there is no
good In the old leaders and have agreed
to support younger men, backed by AIF.
Roosevelt
At any rate. It seems probable that q
| bin modifying TO some extent the anti
trust act. one restricting the granting
Of lnjunctiOns. and an emergency cur
rency bill win all reach the floor. A
model chIld-labor bill for the District Of
| Columbia. one Of the least important.
but still one Of the bills most insisted
upon by the President, will also see the
/ light OF day upon the floor.
One Fly BObs Up.
The most active fly in this ointment Of
a complete Roosevelt legislative pro-
gramme, is the fact that the House com
mittees appointed by the Speaker are
still strongly within the domination OF
the old leaders. The Senate, too, viii no
doubt cause some worTy to the men who
are insisting that legislation OF positive
character be passed as soon as possible.
As OF course the Republican committees
are most likely to report out such meas
ures as the old leaders desire. unless a
real revolution of most startling proper
tions can be developed, it is believed that
1.-THE sentiment OF these same old leaders
has been in some manner swung around
toward the Presidential view of the situ-
alton
The Senate Is considered as a greatly
different proposition. As nobody over IN
that body is in great fear OF any election
next fall, and as Mr.. Roosevelt's policies
are not at present extremely popular, it IS
doubtful If such radical legislation as IS
/ proposed can be forced through. even
with dire fate threatening the Republican
party next fall.
At any rate. 1t is decided that IN part
the House leaders will give in. There is
no use, it IS asserted, in their opposing
the will Of a score or two Of good Repub-
Ilieans. when there is a great chance that
even II the desired measures do pass the
House they may die on the other side OF
the Capitol.
Conference First step,
The first step in the giving in WIN be
taken Tuesday night, when the RepubH-
/ can Premiership OF the House viii meet
in conference to consider the Vreeland
currency bill.
While Tuesday nights conference will be
called primarily TO take up the currency
question. the entire legislative programme
as it has developed may be considered. or
arrangements made TO consider it later.
A day or so ago a report was circulated
that certain enthusiastic Roosevelt men
in the House. led by Representative
Townsend of Michigan. intended TO start
an insurgent movement with a view to
forcing the House leaders 10 adopt the
legislative policies projected at Congress
by the President.
/ Mr.. Townsend was circulating a petition
calling for a conference OF Republican
leaders on the snti-injunction bill. the bill
amendatory Of the antitrust act, and GER
/ .,s,, ospor y,,ass,,rag c-ne,lra- f,ovvr.., In
terposed no objection. but proposed a
series of conferences. This idea has been
adopted.
All signs point to the adoption OF the
Vreeland currency bin as the party
measure by an overwhelming vote. This
means that the bill viii be passed by the
House.
The really interesting development Of
the day. foreshadowing in Importance the
decision of the leaders to do something"
was the evident determination OF the Re
publIeans In the House to amend the
Sherman antitrust law.
It is understood that an antitrust bill
is now being framed, aimed only at un-
reasonable combinations in restraint OF
trade Possibly railroads will be ex-
cluded from its application. as proposed
BY the administration.
It is agreed that great difficulty will be
\ encountered in passing the Payne anti
Injunction bill Critics of this measure
declare that it is merely a statutory
recognition Of the present practices OF
the courts. It's supporters declare that
il will have a tremendous moral effect.
and that it is the only concession on this
question that organized labor can hope
to wiring out of Congress at this time.
Scout Such Ideas.
Republican leaders scout the idea that
there has been an intention In any re-
spensible quarter TO smother legislation
demanded b. members identified with the
majority in the House. Representative