The Washington times., 1908-01-05

for FIVE months viii be in practically an
unbroken session.
It is expected the session to follow the
holiday recess will be surrounded with
great interest, and at the same time
one of small accomplishment. So far
as the Republicans are concerned, and
they are in complete domination in
House and Senate, the word has gone
along the line to tread lightly.
This is the eve of a great campaign
for political supremacy in the nation, in
Congress and in the States, and years
of experience have dictated that at such
a time the wisest policy is To do nothing
or as near nothing as possible This,
of course. is the policy for the dominant
party. As for the minority, 1t will
adopt its usual policy of criticism and
obstruction, and will endeavor to show
to the country that it is worthy of be-
ing intrusted with the reins Of power
by picking TO pieces the policy Of the
opposition.
Republican Family" to Rule.
In the Senate, those Republican lead
ers constituting the family Will sit IN
solemn judgment on proposed legisla-
ton, and say what shall go on the
statute books and what shall not, In
the House Speaker Cannon, clothed I'M
der the rules with a power little short
of absolute, will say what is TO get
recognition, and what is TO be refused
it
AS for the average member, he viii
make occasional speeches for the beneht
of his constituents, that the Record may
present a fine showing of hts accom-
pishments. ne will superiutend the dis
tribution OF garden seeds and viii go TO
and fro busily in the various depart
ments hunting for jobs for his support
ers and running errands for the folks
at home. He is well aware that by the
token OF these performances his district
will Judge Of him. and that nothing the
leaders decree shall not be Iegislated
upon this session can be put through,
despite the annual vOciferOus protests
Of a few House members at the tyranny
and unreasonableness of the rules.
Currency Legislation.
Currency legislation promises 10 fill
the public eye in large part for some
weeks TO come OF course, Presidential
politics VIII be paramount all through
the rest Of the session. It was in evil
dence before the holiday recess and viii
be in evidence after the post-hOliday
session begins. But in the way of ac-
tuaI business, large interest viii sur
round the currency legislation situation.
The House will let the Senate act first
This was determined some time ago.
The Senate Finance Committee has the
responsibility Of reporting bill to meet
the situation. Senator'S Aldrich, Allison,
and Hale are regarded as the men really
bearing the brunt Of preparing the pro-
posed bill. It is looked for by the mid
die Of January
An emergency currency bill along the
lines repeatedly outlined is expected In
a general way this currency is TO be
based on suitable nOngOyernment Sc
curities. Including State. county, mu-
nicioal and railroad bonds. and, II some
OF the ablest thinkers on the committee
have their way. on short-term, high
grade commercial paper.
This emergency currency would be
highly taxed, up to Z or S per cent, 10
force it into retirement when not really
- needed. and would be surrounded by
the Government with all needed guaran-
tees and safeguards.
Support for Bill Planned
It is predicted by Senate leaders not
only that the Senate will pass a bill
along these general lines, with, perhaps,
various change as to details, and will
pass it early, but that when It reaches
the House the Speaker viii take it in
hand and will see that 1t gets through
II is admitted that sentiment is so At
variance in the House as TO What
should be done that it is only IN this
way action will be possible. Indica-
tons are the House Banking and Cur
reucy Committee subcommittee. which
I,-g
more than a hgurehesd. Speaker Can
non has come back from the West
convinced there must be legislation
How far the Democrats VIII debate
the proposed currency bill is one of the
interesting problems of the session. So
far in the Congress game, the Demo
Gratis have cut but small quantities of
ice In their plans for holding up to con
tumely The Administrations financial
relief plans. The Democratic leaders
have been solemnly admonished that
this is poor time TO try to make pOlit-
ical capital out Of attacks Of this sort
and they have gone slow in making
them. IN certain weIl-informed quar-
tiers it IS predicted they will follow
a moderate course throughout, and Will
not put themselves in the light Of hzv-
ing blocked legislation intended to re-
Ieve the financial situation. Consc-
Quently, there is a possibility Of much
more limited debate over the currency
bill than was forecast early in De-
cembeT.
appropriations.
Appropriations viii constitute a great
feature of the session. With pressure
on one hand for greater appropriations
than ever before and with a diminish
ing. revenue, there will have 10 be a re
Ientless pairing down of appropl :"tion
bills and allowances for expenditures
carried in measures other than regular
appropriation bills
4 great deal Of time viii be consumed
in consideration of appropriations, and
some unusually important questions will
be raised IN their consideration.
The row in the navy between the line
and staff. with its atmosphere of social
favoritism. viii be given an airing. Like
wise there will be liberal discussion of