Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-02-17
Up TO THE SENATE
Postal Bank Bill Practically
Unfinished Business.
URGED BY THE. PRESIDENT
Consideration Of Alaskan Govern
ment Displaced.
TO ADMIT TERRITORIES
Federal Incorporation Plan Prob
ably Will Go Over to Next
Session.

With the exception of the federal in
corporation measure and the bill to Gre
ate a legislative council for Alaska, all
of the administration legislation seems
to be in good shape so far as the Sem
ate is concerned.
Through the Intervention Of President
Taft the postal savings bank bill was
yesterday made practically, though not
technically. the unfinished business OF the
Senate and the Alaska legislative bill
was withdrawn from present considera-
ton.
1.-THE Senate is now up against the
postal savings bank bill. to fish or cut
bait" said a prominent senator today,
when talking of the situation in the up
per House. The postal savings bank
measure is one Of the Presidents pets,
and substantial progress. it is believed,
toward its passage was made yesterday
Now that the Senate is fast approach
ing the time for action on one of the ad-
ministratiOn's measures. members Of
Congress are watching the progress of
other presidential policies in legislation.
Government of Alaska.
The fact that Senator Beveridge, who
is sponsor for the Alaska bill, has
agreed to allow it to be displaced as the
unfinished business indicates that he
is not entirely .sanguine Of its success.
There has developed In the Senate a
very pronounced objection to denying the
people of Alaska the right of suffrage.
as would be done by bill permitting
the President to appoint q legislative
body. Many senators believe that it
S9o1s be to to
becomes more thickly populated. Con-
gress, they argue. is in position to
exercise control over the mineral deposits
SO as to prevent any monopoly from
The Statehood Bill.
The Arizona anu New Mexico state
hood bill will receive early attention.
1t will be amended by the Senate COM
mittee on territories in accordance with
the plan recently agreed UPON between
the congressional leaders and the ad-
ministration advisers. In that form it
is likely to pass the Senate, and 1t is
probable it will be accepted by the House.
This plan looks to the separation of
the votes in the two territories on the
acceptance of a constitution and the cleo
ton OF officers, and provides for a gen.
eral federal scrutiny of the constitutions
that may be adopted. This accords with
the Presidents plan, and it is asserted
he will be thoroughly satisfied with such
an adjustment.
Federal Incorporation.
On every hand it is admitted that the
measure looking to federal action In char
tering corporations will go over until an
other session. but the proposed amend
ments to the interstate commerce law
have received a decided impetus within
the past few days. The President is
pressing hard for railroad legislation, and
even the senator's and representatives of
his own party who are not entirely con-
railroad legislation which he has asked
are inclined to get on the track and al
low him to have his way IN this matter.
The Railroad Bill.
Strong influences are at work to get
the railroad bill out Of committee at the
earliest possible moment, and some of
the Senate leaders have given their prom
Use that it will be reported next week. IL
not this. No amendments will be adopted
OF character not satisfactory to the
administration. Attorney General Wick
ersham is now engaged in a review of
the provisions giving the government SUI
pervision over the issuance Of stocks and
DOnds, and ne may suggest a number of
alterations. In the House there Is a
disposition to omit the provision for a
commerce court, but the Senate commit
tee on interstate commerce expects to
retain that feature.
Work on Conservation Bills.
1t was announced today that the spe-
cial committee Of western Senators. of
which Senator Smoot is chairman, to
which the administration conservation
bills will be referred expects to hold
day and night sessions for the purpose Of
expediting its work. These bills. includ-
ing that relating to the withdra wal Of
public lands and continuing the with
drawals in force until revoked by the
President or by Congress. and that pro-
viding for the development of water
power. will be reported to the Senate as
fast as they are completed.
The Senate calendar is practically clear
of other measures. and the House is well
up with its work.