Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-21
PROGRAM OF SENATE
Steering Committee Prepares
Frugal Plan.
"NOTHING DOING" MOTTO
Bever;dge Pleads for the Presidents
Measures.
BUT ADDRESSES DEAF EARS
Possibility That Financial Question
Will Go to Commission-No
Brownsville Decision.
BUT ADDRESSES DEAF EARS

At a meeting of the republican steering
committee OF the Senate today the legis-
lative program was discussed. but no de-
cision was reached to add any important
measures to those destined for enactment
at the present session of Congress. In re-
gard to currency legislation. it was stated
that IL the House passed bill providing
for a commission to investigate financial
matters the Senate would Immediately
upon receipt of the measure vote to add
the Aldrich currency bill, with a view
of putting the whole subject into confer
ence.
Senator Aldrich made it clear that II
there was to be financial legislation of any
character at this session il would be along
the line of what had been already done in
the Senate. with concurrence in the pro-
vision for a commission to sit during the
recess of Congress to consider currency
matters.
Against Four Battleships.
Senator Hale told his colleagues on the
committee that the sentiment of the Sem
ate was against the four-battleship
scheme advocated by the President and
that it would be useless to try to get an
appropriation for more than two battle
ships at this session.
1t appeared from the discussion that
there were few measures. in addition to
appropriation bills. that have any pros
pect for passage at the present session.
Senator Beveridge declared that it would
be bad politics for congress to adjourn
without passing some of the measures de-
sired by the President and that the do
nothing" policy would be heard from dur
ing the coming campaign. He spoke of
the difficulty republican campaigners
would have in answering the charge that
the presidents program for beneficial
legislation had been ignored by repub-
lfcan Congress. He was particularly ur-
anti-injunction bill and for the proposed
amendments to the Sherman antitrust
law.
The other members of the steering COM
mittee. however. saw little chance for the
passage of these measures and several
senator's argued that it would be worse
politics to divide the party on bills that
could not pass than to let these bills sleep
until after the campaign.
Brownsville Question.
The question of what may be done on
the subject of a bill to reinstate the COL
ored soldiers who were discharged with
out honor on account of the Brownsville
ARRAY was discussed but no decision was
reached. 1t was thought likely, however.
that these bills would be voted upon be-
fore adjournment, although no opinion
Warner or the Foraker bill would be
passed.
From political point of view the For
aker bill which provides for the REIN
statement Of the former soldiers upon
their sworn statements of innocence Of
completely in the shooting. was regarded
as of the most value TO the republicans.
At the same time. the democrats Of the
Senate are a unit against the passage of
either bill. The Warner bill leaves to the
discretion of the President which of the
former soldiers shall be reinstated.
Although no date of adjournment was
considered. it was generally agreed that
the business Of the session could be con-
Guided about the middle of May unless
the minority filibuster in the House should
prOlOng he session. Senator Beveridge
opposed an adjournment without an effort
to carry out the Presidents policy. or
some action. showing disposition to re-
wise the tariff. such as the appointment
of commission. To ignore these things
he said, would be a grave mistake.