Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1908-04-08


can members would be quite willing
to adjourn after passing the appro-
priation bills II they did not fear the
effect of such do-nOthing policy upon
the voters. No reform bill has been
passed by Congress and from the
first there has been no intention by
the republican leaders OF allowing any
such legislation, even that recon-
mended by President Roosevelt. An
exception, perhaps, is the Aldrich cur
rency bill, which has passed the SEN
ate in an emasculated form. The rea-
son that the republican leaders will
try to pass the Aldrich bill is that
Rockefeller and Morgan and Wall
street favor 1t, and the amount of
their contributions to the republican
campaign fund evidently depends
upon fits favorable consideration. A
strong faction OF the republican mem
bers OF congress and all the democrats
are opposed to II and the business in
terests of the country favor the Fow-
Ter currency bill, II the expressions
in its favor by commercial and bank
ing organizations are a fair indica-
tion. 1t Is said to be the intention of
the republican leaders to hold a re-
publican caucus to force through the
Aldrich bill.
On March % John Sharp Williams,
the democratic leader in the house of
representatives, made very impor-
tant speech and announcement that
there were some recommendations In
the last message to congress by the
president that. ARE so Immediately
important to the interests of the en-
tire country as to pass the bounds of
partisanship." Mr.. Williams then
publicly informed the country that
''all the president has to do is to de-
liver 30 republican house votes in
favor Of such measures, These con-
Joined with the solid democratic vote
will put them through. He then gave
the recommendation of the president
that the democrats would support.
namely:
Campaign contribution publicity,
within constitutional limit. giving
names, postofiice addresses, and
amounts OF contributions to be pub
lished before election.
Regulation OF child labor, but not
the unconstitutional Beveridge bill
An employers liability law.
Compensation to government en-
ployes for injury or death incurred
In its service.
Requiring that no temporary re-
straining order should be issued by
any court without notice.
Abolishing the tarifr duty on wood
pulp and print paper.
II seems unlikely that any of this
important legislation will be allowed
to come to vote by the republican
leaders unless the employers liability
bin introduced by Senator Knox be
taken. which is not acceptable to or
ganized labor, 1t also seems unlikely
that there win be enough republican
members, who will support the pres
ident's recommendations, added to
the democrats, to pass such bills
To bring the republican leaders to
the point which will impress the
country with their do-nothing poll
eies Mr.. Williams gave notice that he
would object to any unanimous con
sent for the consideration of bills and
would require roll call on all occas-
ions when the rules of the house re-
qnired It, In other words, the demo-
Gratis win hlibuster until the republi-
cans act upon what the democrats
consider urgent legislation needed by
the people.
There are two war clouds on the
political horizon that although now
no larger than a mans hand may de-
velop into storm centers. Already
diplomatic relations with venzuela
are 50 strained that President Roose-
welt tinds himself unable to proceed
further In trying to adjust the differ
ences about the asphalt and other IS
sues and the whole matter has been
referred to congress. 1t Is reported
that the senate committee on foreign
relations has tentatively agreed on
the vigorous program of placing a
prOhibitive tariR ON venzuela pro-
ducts and the exclusion OF all impor-
tations OF asphalt Also that the
president win be authorized to take
whatever steps he may consider nee
essary to treat with VenEuela In the
future. AS President Castro has so
far outwitted President Roosevelt In
negotiations and as both these rulers
are somewhat hot headed. II is more
than probable that armed force will