The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-05-04
TAFT BILLS MAY FAIL,
HOUSE AND SENATE DIFFER on
RAILROAD LEGISLATION.
Conceded on All Sides that President
VIII Have to Weld All Power He
Has to Have Bills Passed.

to feel good deal of concern over
the chances of putting through the
several measures on which President
Taft has set his heart. Hot weather
already has settled down upon the
city and sitting days in the legisla-
tive halls are sure to create a general
desire among members of congress to
get away. Many who have hard po-
litical battles in prospect even now
are making their plans to go to their
States or districts
Nearly all Of the Taft bills are sus-
pended by more or less uncertain
threads. fhe railroad BILL which is
the pending business in both
branches, is not out of danger. The
amendments already adopted in the
serate and house and a number of
others which are almost certain to be
adopted in one branch or the other
will produce measures so widely diff
ferent that harmony in conference
threatens to become utterly out Of
the question.
The house has adopted an amend
ment making provisions for the as
certainment Of the physical valuation
Of railroads, and this Is sure to meet
with strong opposition.
Furthermore, present indications
point to the adoption of provisions
for the making of traffic agreements
which will be at variance. These diff
ferences do not by half represent the
conflicting views of the two branches.
BY the time the bill reaches con.
ference President Taft will have re-
turned to Washington, and it is hoped
he may bring the conferees together
by commanding each side to grant
concessions. Nothing but the most
determined pressure from the White
plish such result
Chairman Mann of the house COM
mittee and Cha irman Elkins Of the
senate committee, both hope to bring
the bills to their final votes this week.
There is little doubt that Mr.. Mann
Will succeed. but in the senate there
is no way In which debate can be
shut off and it would not be surpris-
ing if the bill took ten days or more
in this body.
That the administration senator's
will put the bill through in about the
form in which II now appears on the
calendar is indicated by the vote last
week on the Cummins amendment
relating to traffic agreements. This
provision, which was given the sup
port of all of the Democrats and the
insurgent Republicans, was defeated
by six votes and this lead is claimed
by Mr.. Elkins for all the amendments
supported by the majority of the In
terstate commerce commission.
Supporters of the long ard short
haul amendment, which was intro
duced by Senator Dixon, claim they
have votes enough to incorporate it
in the bin. Party lines will be brok-
en- on this amendment in all proba-
bility, and the outcome generally is
thought to be uncertain.
The administration senators want
to bring up the bill giving to the pres
draw public lands for conservation
purposes, but Democratic senator's
under the lead of Mr.. Bailey will in
sist that the Statehood bill be consid-
cred. In the house there is some de-
mand that the postal savings bank
bill be taken up, but it is still in COM
mittee and an order of a majority Of
the house may be necessary to dis
lodge it.
to the Statehood and postal banks
bills. The first named has passed the
house and a radically different bill
has been reported from the senate
committee on territories. The postal
bank bill has passed the senate, but
in form which seems TO be wholly
unsatisfactory to the house. If the
Statehood bill should pass the SEN
ate in the form in which it is report
ed and the postal bank bill pass the
house in form approaching the gen
cral demand of that body it is OK
trcmcly doubtful whether either could
get out of conference.
What the president will do with
tn" rivers and harhors appropriation
bill $ agitatiug the minds of many
members Of the house and senate i'm
both parties. rho measure is now i'm
4 ON a. a M I.ttt 1, Il.