The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-12-05
BYE OF CONGRESS
QUIET IN CAPITAL
Party Leaders Arrive but Fail
to Arouse Enthusiasm.
STATESMEN ARE RETICENT
AIdrfch and Cannon, Who Ought to
Know, Declare Legislative Pro-
gramme Has Not Been Perfected.
"UncIe JOe'' Prepared for Lively
seSsiOn-FOurteen 10 Retire.

Although both houses of Congress con-
vene at noon to-day, there was little
doing in Washington last night 10 indi-
cate it. Even the Democrats. fresh from
victory at the polls. exhibited little en-
thusiasm. while Republicans appeared to
assume an attitude OF indifference.
Usually on the night before the law
makers are to meetin annual session the
hotel Hobbies are crowded. and the old
town generally livens up. but last night
the hotel Hobbies were practically de-
serted. there was a dearth OF gossip about
the probable enaetments OF Congress al
the session about TO begin and. IN fact,
the signs of interest were shown only
when the subject OF politics was men,
tened
II seems to be agreed by leaders OF
both parties that developments OF the
winter may have an important bearing on
the campaign two years hence.
All Leaders Arrive.
Senators and Representatives have been
slow in arriving. but they reported IN
considerable numbers yesterday. Prac-
tically all Of the leaders have put In an
appearance. Uncle Jce'' Cannon. whose
term as Speaker will expire on March 4.
is here, prepared FOR a lively session.
Champ C!eark. the prospective Speaker.
is passing out kind words and CHEEKY
smiles j. Democratic Representatives.
elect.
San aT Id
Hale. OF Maine; Burrows. OF Michigan.
and others OF tbs old guard leadership
In the Senate, have reported. Serene Z.
Payne. OF New York, the Republican
leader OF the House; john Dalzen. OF
Pennsylvania. a member Of Speaker Can
mons kitchen cabinet, and the peppery
Representative Mann. OF Illinois, pros
pective minority leader I'm the next House,
are among the other big guns on the
ground
If there is a legislative programme IN
town. no one has been able 10 discover
H. Senator Aldrich and Speaker Cannon
declare that no plans for the session
have been perfected. They add to this
that time will not permit OF important
enactments aside from the supply bin
and an appOrtionment act However,
they say that they will be unable TO de-
termne what Congress shall attempt 20
do at the session until President Taft
message has been formally submitted
OF the 4S0-odd men who viii face the
presiding officers in the Senate and the
House to-day approximately i42 will be
missing when Congress assemblies in De-
cember, 1911. Ninety-eight Republicans
OF the House either lost out for nOmina-
ton or az the polls. About twenty-five
Democratic members OF that body failed
for various reasons 20 be returned
Fourteen To Retire.
Fourteen members Of the present Sem
ate will retire on March 4 next Among
them are men who have been prominent
In legislative councils for many years.
They are Senators Aldrich, Hale, Bur
rows, Beveridge Of Indiana. Burkett OF
Nebraska, Carter of Montana. Depew OF
New York. Dick Of Ohio, Flint OF Cali
fornia. Kean Of New Jersey. Money OF
Mississippi. and Warren of Missouri.
-Four members OF the Senate have died
since Congress adjourned in June. namely.
Clay OF Georgia, Dolliver Of Iowa, Daniel
OF Virginia, and McEnery OF Louisiana
-Four members of the House also passed
away during the recess. They were Rep
resentatives BiTrell OF Massachusetts,
Gilmore OF Louisiana. Foulkrod Of Penn
sylvania, and BrOwnlOw of Tennessee.
Aside nom politics. members OF the
House and Senate appear to be chiefly
interested at this time in the probable
disposition Of the Ballinger-Pinchot case
II was learned last night that no effort
will be made by the House Democrats
10 attempt TO institute Impeachment pro-
ceedings against Secretary Ballinger
Representative James, OF Kentucky. a
Democratic member OF the committee on
inquiry, said that so far as he was adj
vised Impeachment proceedings against
the Secretary OF the Interior had been
given no consideration. Mr.. James said
that an effort would be made 10 adopt
the minority report, which condemns Mr..
Ballinger and recommends his dismissal
from the Cabinet. He added that there
were no grounds for Impeachment
Await Presidents Message.
Republicans and Democrats await with
interest the publication of the Presi-
dents message. The session will termi-
nate by constitutional limitation March 4,
and this gives less than ninety working
days Fourteen supply bills, carrying
more than $1,000. 0OO.OOO must be passed
before adjournment. In addition, consid-
Grafton VIII be given an apportionment
act based upon tho new census. This is
usually passed at the final session OF
Congress- In a general way members say
that Congress will be asked to pass a
ship-subsidy bill. additional conservation
legislation, and certain other legislation
of minor importance.
The administration has already an
nounced its purpose 10 ask for appropria-
tons TO fortify the Panama Canal. This
project will be opposed by Republicans
as we'll as Democrats. The policy of re-
trenchment adopted by the administra-
ton may affect the naval building pro-
Framnla Thara Is q Rnnd de71 Of talk