The Washington times., 1910-02-16
BREAKERS AHEAD
Of TAFT PROGRAM
Various Developments Con
Spire TO JeOpardize Pres
ident's Pet Bills.
ROOT AMENDMENT
CAUSES CONTENTION
MAY Be Fatal 10 Postal Bank
Measure -ListlessneesS Is
Manifested.

Within the last few days the opinion
has gained ground about the Capitol
that the legislative program which the
President has been urging for this ses-
sion Of Congress is likely 70 fall by the
zayside.
The outlook for the passage Of the
several important measures which the
President has been told by the leaders
would be put through is not as good to
day Is IL was a few weeks ago Various
causes have conspired 10 bring this
situation about
As things stand now, the postal saw
ings bank bill is in danger Of being
beaten or blocked at this session; the
railroad bill is by no means out Of
the woods. II is uncertain whether
there viii be any conservation IeEis-
lation
National Incorporation legislation. II is
agreed on all hands, has no longer any
chance this session As for ship subsidy
legislation, the House leaders fear 70
attempt 10 force the subsidy measure
through. lest It be beaten
President Abandons Hope.
The Senate Judiciary Committee took
I'D the national incorporation bill the
ether day. and decided that when il was
considered It would he by the full com
mIttee, and not by the subcommittee
Tf1e disposition was 10 TX no time for
its consideration, and II IS taken for
granted that II wilI he taken Up by the
committee. II at all. too late for any
thing TO be done with il finally NOT
does the President expect any action
this session. as he made clear In his
New York speech.
So far as the postal savings bank
IA cd
anlendment. which Senator AIdrich j.
supposed TO favor, and which President
Taft has come out IN advocacy Of, to
have the funds deposited IN the postal
banks invested in ? per cent Govern
uoent bonds. Is likely TO prove the bone
Of contention that VIII be fatal 20 the
bill.
Listlessness Is Apparent.
Lately there have been mutterings to
the effect the Administration railroad
bill may be sidetraCked- About this. as
Wen as about most OF the legislation be
fore Congress, there hangs a strange
-HEtfeSsnesS-
Ks for the House Committee on Inter
state Commerce, Il has ahead OF IL a
long list Of hearings on this bill The
SenEte committee IS about at the end
or It's hearings. but Il has not under
taken yet 10 fashion the bill in the
form IN which IL VIII be reported 10 the
Senate, though II is asserted by some
OF the Senate leaders the bill will come
cut just as i stands. However an at
tempt TO report f. as Il stands will be
strongly opposed in the committee.
About the only legislation that Is
being pushed along in Congress is
the appropriation measures With
them good progress is being made.
Once the appropriation bills are out
Of the way the ClamOr for adjourn
ment win rise high.
Insurgents Scent Scheme
Among me insurgents there is much
talk to the effect that the regular
leaders are Matching Up a scheme to
put through the appropriation bills
and then try TO rush through House
and Senate IN the latter days Of the
session a lot OF legislation which the
Insurgents consider as &c now stands
IN the shape OF bills is defective
A lot Of talk i going the rounds about
harmony in Congress and all hands get
ting together for a concerted effort to
DO things As matter Of fact the
lines Of cleavage are in some respects
more sharply drawn than ever
While legislative progress is slow
there are merry times ahead in Con-
gTess- 70 say nothing OF a lot OF sizzling
bot politics coming next summer and
fall