The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-30
Length Of Present Congress
SiOnaI Session Is Still
Very Doubtful
RAILROAD BILL STILL
TIED UP i THE SENATE
The situation Is Complicated By the
Introduction BY Nebraska senator
of Resolution Relating to
Mergers of Railroads

Washington May 29.--The plans of the
republican leaders in Congress have gone
aNry so many times in the last several
weeks that they are chary of announcing
any programme for the remaining days of
the present session of specializing on
how long that period is likely to be.
In the Senate the men in charge of the
railroad bill would have staked their rep
utatiohs upon the certainty that there
would be final vote upon it before the
emo Of last week, but now they will not
say when they expect vote to be taken.
In the House the republican caucus con-
tinued for three nights in succession for
the purpose of perfecting the postal saw
inss bank bill, but an agreement was not
reached, and one is not in sight. The
caucus will be resumed next Wednesday
night.
The situation in connection with the
railroad bill was complicated by the in
PRODUCTION of an amendment relating to
mergers of railroads which was offered
by Senator Brown of Nebraska, just after
the adjournment on Friday. The pro-
vision contains all of the prohihitive feat
ures OF the original section II, and none
of the conditions contained in the sec
ton struck out.
SC involved did the situation become
that the leaders hastily adjourned this
session, expecting to resume considera-
tion of the bill yesterday, but the speech
of Senator Lorimer prevented.
The senators in charge of the bill don't
want the Brown amendment. but it may
be difficult for them to defeat IT. 1t is
not unlikely that 1t will result in the
leaders making further concessions to the
insurgents. which course has been pur-
sued heretofore when the supporters OF
the bill have got into a tight hole"
Amendments Are accepted
The policies of Senators EllSins and AL
drich In the last several days has been
to accept amendments In order to get the
bill into conference. :. Both will-be mem-.
bers of the conference. The action OF
Senator Ekins in accepting without IL
| roll call the Lafollette amendment placing
telephora and telegraph and cables COM
panies within the scope of the Interstate
commerce laws inIicated the policy that
may be followed hencforth. 1t may be
that the Brown amendment will be ac-
cepted In the saLA manner in view of the
face that the House eliminated the mer-
ger section from its bill, and would prob
ably insist upon the rejection of the
Brown amendment in conference.
The railroad bill will be taken up
again By the Senate Tuesday and the
final vote may be had on that day. al
though there is no certainty about It,
There Is contest between advocates
of the statehood and conservation meas
ures as to what class of legislation shall
next be considered. The supporters of
the public land withdrawal bill will not
give way to the statehood measure with-
out a fight.
Statehood Bill Not Popular
Few republican senators are anxious
to put the statehood bill through at the
present session. They think the differ
ences between the Senate and House
bills are rreconcilabe and that il would
be a waste of time to send the messages
20 conference About the only supporters
of immediate statehood in the Senate arc
on the democratic side and they want tho
House bill passed, as that would mean
statehood for Arizona and New Mexico
in time for the fall elections. and they
think 1t would mean four additional dem
ocratic senators. The Senate bill, which
is favored by republican senator's. would
merely authorize the territories to taxa
the preliminary steps and would not make
it possible for them to be admitted to
the union of states until after Congress
had approved their proposed constitu-
tons
When the sundry civil appropriation
bill reaches the Senate 1t is likely that
the item OF $4,000 to defray the Pres'-
dents travelling expenses. will be made
available TO meet the deficiency in the
allowance for the present fiscal year, In
accordance with the provision contained
in the bill as it was reported to tho
House.
Sundry Civil Bill
Insurgent senators are waiting for the
sundry civil bill for the purpose of Of
fering an amendment for the establish
ment of a tariff commission. which would
report direct to Congress- 1t is likely
that the measure will be hailed as fur
nishing an opportunity for number Of
speeches attacking the Payne-Aldrich
bill 1t is likely also that the democrats
will seize upon this measure as vs-
hicle to carry their campaign speeches.
The river and harbor bill is in con-
ference. Some members are beginning
to wonder If that pork barrel meas
ure is not being used to hold members
in line for the Presidents programme.
and whether delay in bringing out re-
port from conference Is not directed by
an understanding with the White House.
There have been so many rumors cir
culated that this bill might be vetoed
that some alarm is felt by those who
have important interests involved. espe-
cialy as the President has not seen Mt
to deny or affirm the report that ne