New-York tribune., 1908-05-26
SENATE KILLING TIME.
Practically Ready to adjourn, but
Waits for House.

Washington May 25-An effort to kill time by
dilatory tactics without making progress on any
legislation except that involved in conference re-
ports the chief occupation of the Senate 10"
day under the lead OF Mr.. Aldrich. The attempt
successful that the net result OF the day
session the adoption OF the conference report
the sundry civil appropriation bill
After spending about three hours In the reading
OF Saturdays journal and other tactics IN promo
ton of what is humorously called 1.-The Aldrich-
Hale hlibuster' the Senate proceeded with con-
sideration of the government liability BILL and al
though il could have been stopped by single
objection general debate went on, apparently on
the theory that time might as well be spent III
discussing that measure in any other way
Senator Smith, of Michigan, opposed the DILL
and declared that he did not want to see the gov
ernment become insurance company. senator
Nelson. of Minnesota. suggested that it was evi-
dent that the occupation OF Senator was regarded
hazardous. because, following the death OF any
Senator, years salary is voted to his representa-
tiyes.
Mr.. Depew called attention to the fact that the
British government had enacted legislation similar
to that proposed by the bill as early as 1874 he
believed the labor organizations would De aDie 10
protect themselves and insure their members
against any wrong IL their cases were determined
by the Department Of Commerce and LABOR IN
stead of in court.
Senators Foraker and Rayner insisted that the
proposition in the bill to have the secretary OIL
Commerce and Labor determine the contrbutorS
negligence IN the of ar accident lnFoiFeo
judicial function which could not constltu'lohaiS
be exercised by a Cabinet officer
Replying to this suggestion, Senator Nelson oe-
clared that more judicial function was 1nVeIVeo
in the provision giving the Secretary OF commerce
ard Labor power to determine that question thiih
was exercised by the Commissioner of Pensions III
determining the amount of pension 10 be allowed
cla irnants In the case OF the claims provided IN
his bill there right to recover, ana that
right as giyen by the legislation was merely a
gratuity, and its determination could not be re
gi,rded a judicial question.
Senator Hale, announcing the order of business
p. m. gave his view of the hopelessness OF
doing any further business to-day He said that
the only appropriation bill now in conference was
the general deficiency. and that could not be per-
fected before the conference report on the public
buildings bill had been approved by the House
He had been informed that the public buildings
bill could not be acted on by the House this az
ternoon and he moved that the Senate adjourn
There was protest against this course, and MI
Hale allowed various items of routine business 10
be attended to- When the motion again
pressed Mr. Beveridge made plea for continuing
led in tactics prevent the Senate adjourning or
going into executive session. The vote on the
proposition to go into executive session developed
the lack Of a quorum, and, Mr.. Beveridge in
sisted that the government liability bill be consd-
cred Mr.. Hale curtiy remarked:
There some things the Senate can do with
out the Senator from Indiana"
A motion to adjourn then adopted