The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1910-05-23
CONGRESS MAKES
LITTLE PROGRESS
No Prospect Of Adjournment
Before Midsummer.
WHERE The CONTESTS ARE
House Is Tied Up Over Tariff In.
quiry and Democrats Are Driving q
and Postal Savings Bills.

Bargain over Statehood, Railroad
and Postal Savings Bills.
Washington, May 23-Shivers have
been chasing themselves up and down
the spinal columns OF members who
must face serious contests in their
states or districts if they come back
to the next congress ever since John
Dwight, the Republican whip of the
house of representatives, issued his
prediction that the present session
would not adjourn before July Is.
Even the most pessimistic members
had thought that there would be little
difficulty in getting away by the end
of June, but week has passed since
Mr.. Dwight made his forecast and in
that time little progress has been
made. That the prediction was made
as a bluff" for the purpose of i'm.
polling 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.
Contest Over Tariff investigation.
The contest in the house over the
$3.50, 900 appropriation contained in the
sundry civil bill to extend the scope
Of the tariff investigation has been
waged much more stubbornly than had
been anticipated. The Democrats have
opposed the item on the ground that
the results of the investigations by
the board should be reported direct to
congress instead of to the president.
Representative Fitzgerald, of New
York, made a point of order that the
item contains new legislation. and it
Is possible that it will be read out of
the bill on that ground, in which event
Representative Tawney, chairman of
the committee on appropriations, pur-
poses to offer the amendment in an
other form.
The postal savings bank bill, which
has been reported from the committee
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 there
fore, that the division over the bill
will be along regular and insurgent
lines. It is more likely to be between
eastern and western members.
Many western members believe the
47k per cent of deposits which the
bill as reported would require to be
kept in local banks is too small and
that the provision of the bill which
passed the senate would be more eff
fective to keep deposits in the COM
munities where collected. The west
erners charge that the bill as drafted
is bankers BILL" and that under its
operations their communities might be
depleted of money which would be
taken to New York and other money
centers. The differences over the
measure are so great that one cannot
foresee what the outcome will be in
the house - s. :
when the caucus has agreed upon q
bill which it has reason to believe 1t
can be put through the house the ma
jority party probably will endeavor to
bring in a rule with view to passing
the bill without amendment. The
Democratic members and some of the
insurgent Republicans are expected
to resist such rule on the ground
that they are opposed to "legislating
in secret" as they characterize the
caucus method.
Democrats Driving a Bargain.
After reposing in more or less
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 en- the railroad bill.
The regular Republicans concede that
they need Democratic votes to pass
the administration measures in 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 can
not overlook the prospect OF being able
to drive a shrewd bargain that the
sideration ii they aid the Republican
majority in passing their railroad
legislation.
Many of the Republican leaders are
inclined to agree that vote shall be
taken on the statehood bill.
Senators Elkins and Aldrich are
hopeful of getting vote on the rail-
road bill some time during the com
ing week, but there is no certainty
that they will succeed.
The appropriation bills oil are in
advanced stages, although a number
of them still are in conference. Among
these are the Notifications, pensions.
rivers and harbors and legislative
bills. Only the sundry civil and gen.
eral deficiency bills remain to be pass
ed by the house, and the senate will
be ready for those measures as soon
as they arrive.