New-York tribune., 1910-01-05
from The Tribune R,,rssu ,


Washington, Jan 4.--Congress met at
noon to-day, this being the close of the holi-
day recess. Although ii was known in adj
vance thai practically no business would be
transacted in either chamber because of
the death in the course of the recess of
Senator McLaurin. of Mississippi there was
a large attendance in both houses Sena-
ter-elect Gordon who has been appointed to
succeed MI. McLaurin was in the Senate
but not as a member. He will be sworn in
tomorrow. IN the House a somewhat
spectacular debate was started by Repre-
sentative Hull of Tennessee. who intro
duced resolution calling for a joint com
mittee of the two-houses to investigate the
causes OF the increased cost of living While
the debate was in progress word was re-
ceived from the Senate of the death of Mr.
McLaurin, and adjournment was taken i'm
mediately as a mark of respect. The SEN
ate remained in session only long enough
10 learn officially from Senator Money of
the death of his colleague
Rarely in recent years has Congress met
for the serious work of the session with
such complete harmony between it and the
White House and such a unanimty anionA
the Republicans. Both the leaders and the
rank and file are strongly disposed To FUR
ther the efforts OF President Taft to obtain
creditabe legislation at this session. They
realize that 10 a certain extent the admin
istration is regarded by the country as on
trial. They appreciate the careful and ear
nest efforts which the President has made
to perfect a legislative programme on which
all can unite. one which will when complet-
ed reflect credit on the administration and
the party. They profess a lively apprecia-
ton of the consideration shown by the
President during the tariff session. of his
willingness to give credit even to those who
differed materially from his views for sin
cerity of purpose, and of his loyalty to the
party in defending a measure which fell
far short of meeting his desires as the best
which could be obtained under the clrcum-
stances. especially in view of the lack of
definite informa ton regarding costs of pro-
duction. Under these circumstances the
Republicans. in both houses are they Insist.
determined to do all in their power to make
the administration an unqualified success
in so far as compliance with the Presidents
recommendation for legislation will do it.
The harmony among the regular Repub-
ncans has created CONSERVATION among
the the insurgents who have no definite
programme and are all at sea. They still
hope to find an issue and are eagerly
awaiting the Presidents message dealing
with federal incorporation, with the hope
that il will afford the ground for 4 spec
tacular contest a hope which seems des-
tined to prove futile. however, for the rea-
son that there is little likelihood that any
action Will be taken in connection with
this subject at this session Some of the
House insurgents nope to pose as martyrs
before the country. on the ground that
they are being disciplined because of their
opposition to Speaker Cannon, but even
here they are destined TO meet with dis
appointment, because il will be clearly
shown that the President is taking no part
either for or against the Speaker. The
Democrats equally at a loss for
issue. They believe they can make some
capital out Of the alleged increased cost
of living, and they are looking to some of
the Republican insurgents to assist them
in a wholesale denunciatfon of the Payne
tariff law, but they are wholly without
capable leaders and are almost without
hope
The Republican leaders are already max
ing plans for the enactment of legislation
in connection with the Presidents recon-
mendatfon Of amendments to the inter
state commerce law. They have chosen
this as the one important accomplishment
Il.