Omaha daily bee., 1910-12-19
Committee Believed to Oppose Measure
Dealing with House Regulations.
TARIFF COMMISSION HELD UP
Disposition in Upper Chamber to
Await Result of Conference.
WILL RESUME THE INDIAN PROBE
Several Attorneys who Are Now In
Washington win He Asked 60
Testify as TO Fee Arrange

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1s.-ConEress is ex.
peoted TO adjourn Wednesday for the hou-
day recess and not to resume business
until January 8. The resolution which
passed the house. probably Will be brought
up IN the senate tomorrow. No objection
to the program has appeared as it Is prac-
tioally certain that half a dozen OF the
big supply bills will be out Of the way by
Wednesday night.
Business before both houses thus far has
not stimulated much public interest and
seats In the galleries have gone begging.
The omnibus claims bill In the senate has
failed to attract crowds, and the appropria-
tion bills In the house proved no better
magnet.
outside Of the claims bill there has been
no business before the senate except the
Cummins resolution to change the rules OF
the senate and house so as to facilitate
piece-meal revision Of the tariff. Several
speeches on this subject have been made
and the indications are the resolution will
be sent to the senate rules committee be-
fore the recess
The rules committee is generally be-
lieved to be opposed 70 the adoption Of any
measure which would undertake to deaf
with the rules OF the house. The indica-
items are that some measure may be re-
ported out which would give the senate an
opportunity OF voting without invading the
prerogatives Of the house
Tariff Commission Marking Time.
The question of legislation to create a
permanent tariff commission is attracting
far more attention in the house than in
the senate, where there has been a dis
position to await the outcome OF confer
ences being held by Representatives Long
worth of Ohio Good OF Iowa and Lenroot
Of Wisconsin. Whether these members arc
able to harmonize their differences has not
/ been made clear.
| 1t Is said that in the house as a whole
there is sentiment generally for the en-
| largement of the tariff board making its
existence continuous for at least six years.
Some members favor making the life of
the commission ten years ana still others
/ favor twenty years
| Most serious of all Of the questions in
volved is that OF giving the commission
power TO demand books and papers OF cor
porations Many members favor having
the commission call for such documents
where they believe them to be necessary
and in the event Of refusal to make re-
ports to congress with view to separate
action in each case.
BGlldnEer Report in Committee.
The report OF the Ballinger- Plnohot in
vestigation is still slumberinR in the house
committee on agriculture. Minority mem
bers OF the investigating committee are
threatening to demand a report from the
committee on agriculture 80 that a vote
on the merits of the majority and minority
viows might be had in the house. but no
step In that direction has yet been taken
There appears to be little prospect of action
In the senate.
II is probable the Investigation of Indian
contracts, at a standstill for several weeks
viii be resumed during the holiday recess.
Several attorneys who are In Washington
VIII be asked to testify as to their fee
arrangements with the Indians. tribaily
and individually. Chairman Burke expects
the Indian investigation will be closed
some time in January
The committee appointed by the senate
to investigate similar charges has never
met. Senator Jones. its chairman. will
make report showing that the house com
mittee covered the subject in a manner
that made a second investigation unneces-
sary.
1t is understood his report will include
statement by Senator Gore declaring a
probe by the senate would have covered
the same ground as that made by the
house.