Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1909-12-04
CONGRESS WILL
CONVENE MONDAY
NOTHING IS LACKING TO BEGIN
THE REGULAR GRIND AT
NATIONAL CAPITAL.
Speaker Cannon and Boss AIdrich
Are ON the Ground.

O OA AAo GFOumu.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. A.
With Cannon of Illinois. perpetual
speaker of the house, and Aldrich Of
Rhode Island. perpetual boss Of the
senate. Johnnies on the spot. nothing
is lacking to begin the long congress-
ional grind on Monday.
Vice-President Sheridan-or is It
Sherman-is also believed to be in
town, ready to take up his job as
premier over the august upper house
of the national congress, and a mis-
cellaneous mess of senators and rep
resentatives are hanging around, try
ing to impress people with their i'm
portance.
Sugar and water are among the
most important subjects Of discussion
among the solons. There is a move
ment on foot for a congressional in
Vestigation Of the alleged rottenness
Of the custom service in New York,
especially in relation to the frauds
petrated in the weighing Of sugar.
Water is a topic Of interest among
the congressman, because of the de
mands Of the National Rivers and
Harbors congress for large appropria-
tions for waterways improvements.
The congress will meet next week,
and many delegates are already here,
seeking to impress the legislators
with the Importance of their projects.
The tragic death OF Representative
David De Almond of Missouri has
cast gloom over the democratic con-
gressmen. De Almond was admittedly
among the most brilliant and useful
of the minority party members of the
house, and his loss will be severely
felt.
The south will seek to impress its
needs and its desires upon congress
through the southern commercial
congress, which opens Monday. Lat
er in the week the National Council
of Commerce will meet, with Secre-
tary Nagel presiding. There will be
no lack OF live topics for discussionfi
IN congress during the coming term.
While it is unlikely that President
Taft will keep the solons as busy
reading messages as did his predeces-
sor, he has many important projects
to bring to the attention of the So
Ions.
Among our old friends will be Mr..
Ship Subsidy Bill. che of the hardest
of the whole Bill family. During
the past decade statesmen in and out
of session have rung the changes on
this subject until 1t is almost house
hold expression. The crux OF the
contention of the friends of this
measure, which has during its life
time received many a blow, is that
the dignity of this great nation re-
quires a system OF swift American
built and American-manned merchant
steamers to carry the commerce Of
America on the seas.
Such a feet would increase COM
merce and be a nucleus to the war
craft in the event of war. They de-
clare that the only way to get this
merchant marine is to give a bonus
or subsidy to shipbuilders. The OPP
ponents of the measure have bella
oored the proposition with charges
mat 1t would be diverting public
money to ship combines and that 1t
Is an ugly form of paternalism. Pres
ident Taft has strongly urged. in his
recent speeches. the upbuilding Of
the merchant marine, and It viii be
interesting to watch the renewal Of
the night for this measure.
Conservation Of national resources
and island waterway and river and
hareor improvements are also sub
)eets which will be considered. All
have the backing Of the president and
II Is expected that steps win be ia