New-York tribune., 1909-01-04
CONGRESS- TO GET BUSY
HORk BEGINS TO-DAY.
Little Besides Routine Likely in Fesl
Remaining HeeFs.
IFrom The Tribune Bureab.I

Washington. Jan. 3.-Both houses Of Congress vii
meet at tomorrow and begin the real work of
the last session OF the 60th Congress. that which
was done before the holiday recess being largely
preparatory. Just fifteen legislative DAYS remain in
which prepare and enact the fourteen big ap-
preparation bills necessary for carrying the
ernment there is little reason to look for much
general legislation. The legislative bill has passed
the House and now in the Senate Committee on
Appropriations, The others remain 70 be passed by
the House where they must originate
The first day OF the real session will he note
worthy for the humanitarian action to be recon-
mended Ivy the President in special message, the
appropriation of $OoO for the relief OF the Italian
earthquake sufferers and also for the receipt OF the
special message of the President. sent in reply TO
the House resolution asking his for his ref
erences to Congress and the Secret Service con
tanned in his annual message
In the Senate the postal savings bank bill IS the
unfinished business" and Senator Carter, who has
il in charge. VIII make earnest effort to effect its
Tassage. Dut with little prospect of success The
measure docs Tot the approval of the financial
experts Of tho upper hoU Sc by one method
another they will doubtless prevent its coming
vote; despite the fact that It is in line with i'm
portant plank in the Republican national platform
There Is reason expect that the chief opposition
to the measure will emanate osJensibv from the
Democrats. and that Senator Bailey vii take the
lead
Brownsville will probably play some part in the
Senate sessions In the judgment Of the Senate
leaders the attitude Senator Foraker renders It
certain that legislation will he passed for the
lief % the discharged soldiers Of the 25th Intantr
hut il is only fair to add that some Of the ablest
lavryers in the Senate insist that Senator Lodge in
his the unconstitutionality of
the Foraker bill, succeeded so well that he ais"
proved the unconstitutionality Of the Warner bill
n which he is committed. 4 message will he re-
celyed from the President giving the Information
by the Foraker resolution dema nding the
facts regarding the employment Of detectives in an
effort the cupr1ts in the Brownsville raid 1t
Is expected that its receipt VIII lead 10 certain
amount Of pvroteChnic 1ratorv. This will suit the
leaders who are disposed to encourage debate
any subject long II kills time and Its IN
no legislation
There viii also he discussion Of the Fulton
bill providing that when a railroad gives notice ot
an increase In rates Interstate Commerce Com
mission may order q suspension Of the increase
pending Investigation and approval This is the
measure which Senator Elklns promised TO report
before the holidays. He has promised re-
port carly date. but should II fail to appear
Mr. Fulton viii move to discharge the Interstate
Dommerc" Commission from its further consdera-
tion OF there IL little likelihood Of favor
able action on The rnea and It is expected mere
t. 10 add 70 the Favety Of the session- Mr. Fulton
vii also press the onnIbus claims bill, which vii
probably be passed.
The House has already passed the bill and
has been reported TO the Senate II Is expected
70 pass without much debate. as It's enactment Is
essential to the organization OF the work on the
next C~usus
L is the avowed purpose Of tire House leaders 70
prevent any legislation other than the big supply
measures ana the usual grist Of private bills, but
that does discourage certain members from
efforts 70 secure the enactment of more general
legislation For instance Representative Goehel
Of ohio. viii make earnest effort 10 secure the
passaCa ~ the postal ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS called
tho shipping hill-yhich failed % passage last
session ry only Few votes Mr.. Goebe believes
that had not the country been the eve 81
national election tho measure would have been
adopted and nc argues. therefore that IL VIII meet
with more favora BILE consideration this year.
Representative Townsend. Of Michigan. will press
sn ant-infunction measure drawn in accordance
with the provisions of the plank IN the Republican
national platform. hlr the leaders he will meet
with littln success There u-in DOUBTLESS be
aor - autt-tntun~tor measures referred to the Ju
driarv committee, where it seems probable that
they Will remain
one measure reasonably sure of favorable action
In both houses Is 20" bill amending tho national
hank act. This will he reported with tn" indorse-
renr Or tho monetary commission. and will be sup
ported by members sufficiently Influential to
Us passage II will he argued in Is support that
ire provisions essential to III" safety Of tho
national banks. and TOO. perhaps t1at IL is only
teruporarv needed in the interim preceding
the adoption az the general financial measure To he
reported hv the monetary commission The Senate
exp~c's 20 have important executive work 70
perform chief Of which vii he the consideration
and ratification of the three treaties with Great
rhcse dispatches 70 The Tribune of January l.
There is little likelihood that further action will
taken in the House regarding the Secret Service
references and is question II the Senate will
he able 10 complete investigation before March
This investigat ton will not. Of course deal with
the Secret Service alone. but VIII cover all the
rlsee 70 which been devoted the special funds
appropriat ted by the Congresses for the detection
and prosecution yolators of the federal statutes
To the Intense disappointment ~ many members.
there seems 70 be prospect Of river and haroor
hn Al this session. In the House The attention oF
members will be largely devoted to the politics
which always preCede the rsorga ntzatton Of new
Congress selection of Speaker and the dlstr1-
button of the more important committee assign
nents The rules insurgents SO called. will prob
ably keep up enough agitation ~ ma Ike things lively
although the, are not likely 70 accomplish anything
a. this session
An Interesting fea ture Of the session will he the
counting of electoral which will take place
IN a Joint session on February 10 II is expected
that the Senate In view of the special session 20
he called soon after March 4. VII not adjourn
finally on March / hut will continue n hold ses-
snns to swear IN It's members, confirm tho
new Cabine and other nominations etc. until the
special session meets.
T4NT.S MEYER RETAINED.