Smyrna times., 1910-02-23
OPENS FIRE ON
IDLE CONGRESS
Taft Impatient at Failure to
Act on Measures.
TALKS WITH LEADERS

If These Do Not Have the Desired
Effect He May Send Special Mes
sage Fixing Responsibility For the
Delay.
President Taft is impatient at the
failure of congress to act upon the i'm
portant measures he has specially
urged upon its attention, and he is
taking steps to let the fact be known.
He was called upon at the White
House. presumably at his own re-
quest, by several legislators in charge
of the various measures and the ne
nessity for prompt action. at least on
some of the minor matters of legisla-
ton. was strongly urged by him.
The White House conferences are
regarded as especially important as
they emphasize the fact that the pres
ident intends to put the screws down
hard upon those who are antagOnistic
to his declared policies and force
through the legislation to which he
stands committed.
Among his callers was Senator Bev-
eridge, chairman of the committee on
territories, who is looking after the
Alaskan territorial bill; Senator Car
ter. who is fathering the postal saw
ings bank bill; Senator Borah. who
has actively opposed some of the fea-
lures of the latter measure. and Rep
resentative Hayes, ranked as an in
surgent, whose aid might be helpful
IN securing united action by the Re
publican majority in the house upon
the Republican platform.
1t is believed the president desires
that such measures as the Arizona
and New Mexico statehood bill, the
Alaskan territorial bill, and others Of
comparatively minor Importance be
acted on at once in order to clear the
way for some of the large subjects, at
least those likely to give rise to pro-
longed discussion and controversy.
Senator Beveridge is said to have
reported that he found difficulty in
getting his committee together to dis.
pose Of business and a similar coin.
plant comes from other quarters.
The president will continues his
personal interviews with the various
leaders in the senate and house. and
If this course does not avail to pro
mote speedy action in congress on the
measures referred to It is entirely pos
sible that he may feel called upon tc
send a special message to congress
placing the responsibility where it be
longs.
III - -
Taft legislative program is pretty wei
illustrated by the difficulty that the
senate committee on territories ha.
been having to get action on the bill
reorganizing the government of Alas
ka. The committee has met severa
times without being able to scare III
a quorum. One Republican senate
commented upon the situation in thi
way:
"In the twelve years that I hav,
been in the senate have never befor
seen conditions such that | could no
say in a general way what was goin
to be done-such conditions of min
gled indifference and hostility"
The ambitious program which Pres
dent Taft presented to congress cor
sisted of the statehood bill. the Alas
ka bill, the anti-injunction bill. tn
postal savings bank bill, additions
amendments to the railroad rate laV
and the federal Incorporation act
The president has indicated that h
will not insist upon the passage c
the federal incorporation act. He ha
come to the conclusion, 1t is said, the
before this bill can be passed he an
the party must conduct a campaign {
education in regard to it.