The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-23
Many Republicans Fear They
viii Lose Their Seats
In Congress
| MUCH LEGISLATION IS
YET TO Be COMPLETED
tied While other Bills Will Be
Doctored Considerably Be-
fore They Are Passed

Washington, May 22.-shivers have
been chasing themselves up and down the
spinal columns of members who must face
serious contests in their states or dis
tricts if they come back to the next Con-
gress ever since John Dwight, the re-
publican whip of the House of Represen-
tatives, issued his prediction that the
present session would not adjourn before
| July Is.
Even the most pessimistic members had
thought there will be little difficulty in
getting away by the end of June. but a
week has passed since Mr.. Dwight made
his forecast and in that time little pro-
gress has been made.
That the prediction was made as
bluff for the purpose of impelling both
branches of Congress to bestir themselves.
was believed by the congressional leaders,
but there is danger now that the session
will run we'll into July.
| The contest in the House over the $780,
600 appropriation contained in the sundry
civil bill to extend the scope of the tariff
board has been antagonized more stub
bornly than had been anticipated. The
democrats have opposed the item on the
ground that the result of the investiga-
tions by the board should be reported di-
rect to Congress instead of to the Pres
ident. Just before adjournment yester-
day Representative Fitzgerald of New
York made point of order that the item
contains new legislation. 1t is possible
that it will be ruled out of the bill on
| in, urH
tative Tawney. chairman of the commit
tee on appropriations. purposes to offer
the amendment in another form.
y Although the general debate has been
lialmost exhausted. the discussion n
amendments may take several days
The postal savings bank bill. which has
been reported from the committee on post
offices and post roads. is ready for the
republican caucus which will be held
Wednesday night. Practically all of the
republicans OF the House signed the call.
1t is not likely, therefore, that the divs-
ion over the bill will be along regular in
surgent lines. 1t is more likely to be be-
tween eastern and western members. The
caucus will take the form of a commit
tee of the whole majority membership of
the House and it is probable that many
changes from the form in which 1t was
reported will be made in the bill
Many western members hold that the
Az per cent of deposits which the bill
as reported would require to be kept
in local banks is too small and that the
deposit provision of the bill which
passed the Senate would be more eff
fective to keep deposits in the commu-
nifty where collected
The westerners charge that the bill
is drafted as a bankers bill" and
that under its operations their commu-
mites might be depleted of money and
| that 1t would be taken to New York and
other money centers. The difficulties
over the measure are so great that no
one can fore see what the outcome will
be in the House.
When the caucus has agreed upon a
bill which il has reason to believe it
can put through the House the major
ity party probably will endeavor to
bring in a rule with a view to passing
the bill without amendment. Thcf<.eri
ocrats and all the Insurgents are ex-
pected to resist such a rule on the
ground that they are opposed to ''legis-
lating in secret as they characterized
| After reposing in q most lethargic
state on the Senate calendar for many
| weeks the statehood bill suddenly has
| been called to take an active part in
bringing the opposing factions together
on the railroad bill. Regular republic
ans concede they need democratic votes
to pass the administration bill In a form
satisfactory to President Taft. There
are many of the contested features of
the bill which meet naturally with
| the favor of the democrats, but they
| cannot overlook the prospect of being
able to drive shrewd bargain The
| statehood bill must receive early con-
sideration If they aid the republican
majority in passing their railroad legis-
| 1ation.
Many of the, republican leaders are
inclined to agree that a vote shall be
taken on the stateh ood ibll. The meas
ure as reported by Senator Beveridge
from the Senate committee on terrific
| ries differs so materially from the bill
as passed by the House that opponents
to statehood legislation at the present
session claim not to fear an agreement
in conference.
Senators Elkins and Aldrich are hope
full of getting vote on the railroad bill
some time during the coming week, bur
there is no certainty that they VIII