Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-24
President Succeeds in Uniting Repub-
lican Members and Putting
Democrats to Rout.
MEMBERS BUSY ON HIS PROGRAM
Senate Committees Take Up Admin
istration Bills.
INSURGENTS SEE RIGHT LIGHT
Threatened Fusion with Minority
Now Little Feared.
EXECUTIVE SHOWS MASTER HAND
More Work Being Done in EnrIy
INSURGENTS SEE RIGHT LIGHT
EXECUTIVE SHOWS MASTER HAM
More work Being Done In Early
Part of First Regular Session
Than in Many Years at
Capital.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23-ActivIty, such
as has seldom, II ever before been dis
played by committees so early in the first
regular session of congress- is now in
evidence in both wings of the capitol.
Although there are practically three
parties, tho regular republicans, the ''ln-
surgent" republicans and the democrats
there are signs on every hand that Presi-
dent Taft by, steering his Characteristic
middle of the road course Is daily gain
ing supporters for his legislative program
The Skill shown By the president in avoid
lng clashes with either faction OF the rul-
ing party and the knack he has exhibited
in compelling the aid of both In his fight
for the redemption of party pledges has
noticeably impressed the democratic minor
ty. In the house there are indications that
the threatened fusion of democrats and in
surgent republicans on several legislative
questions is now little feared by the ma
jority.
Democrats Put to ROut.
Taft is trying to beat the democrats out
OF any prosp, t of controlling the next
house." remarked a prominent democratic
leader Of the senate yesterday, speaking
frankly to his colleagues Of both parties
in q committee session considering an ad-
ministration bill. 'Tf it were not for the
way he is knocking republican heads to-
gether and making them fall into line for
advanced legis!a ion-democrati legislation.
II you please-we would get you fellows
sure" predicted this minority leader, ad-
dressing the republicans present.
The senator was talking to men who had
just agreed upon the principle of piece
of western legislation that few of them
favored at heart The incident furnishes
good illustration of the present con-
gressional situation.
Committees are now considering subjects
usually postponed until after appropriation
bills are passed by the house, The senate
committees under pressure from die White
Hol e have laid plans to take up admin
istration measures while the houss has
supplied bills under consideration
No More Marking Time.
The indications now are that by the time
the house calendar has been barred of bills
relating to the budget the senate will have
ready for the attention Of that body a
number of the most important OF the Taft
bills. The picture of one branch Of con-
gress marking time for the other, which
has been feature Of the last several ses-
sions, bids fair to be turned to the wall
Senate LEADERS who have gone to the
White House have been told that it is not
necessary to walt for action by the house
on matters designed to carry out repub-
lican pledges, Those who have been In
clined to stay away from the White House
have been sent for or the warning has
been delivered to them by their colleagues.
Not content with such notice, Mr.. Taft has
taken the further precaution OF getting
service by publication" In other words
he has made the newspapers his confidents
and, perhaps, incidentally his supporters
on most of the advanced legislation pro-
posed by him.
1t is regarded as highly probable that
the presidents proposed railroad legislation
will be enacted at the present session, re-
gardless OF the fact that the bills on the
same subjects and somewhat opposed to
the Taft bill, have been introduced in the
senate by Mr. Cummins and in the house
by Mr.. Mann.
Some Opposition.
There may be democratic opposition to
certain features of the administration bill
Mr.. T1liman is now studying II and already
has reached the conclusion that the propo-
sition to allow railroads, under certain
conditions, to make joint rates, amounts TO
pooling The republicans say he is mis-
taken and an interesting session OF the
senate committee on interstate commerce
Is predicted for Friday OF this week. Rail-
road bills will be taken up by the house
committee on Thursday
The presidents federal incorporation bin
is expected to have the hardest shedding of
any measure in his legislative program
Land bills and measures designed to carry
on tho work of conserving natural re-
sources will receive careful attention at the
present session, regardless of probable ex-
tension into next summer Of the investiga-
(continued ON second PageI