The San Francisco call., 1910-01-24
TAFT'S LEGISLATIVE
PROGRAM POSSIBLE
President Daily Gaining Sup
pOrters and SkiIIfuIIy Averts
Clashes
Democrats See Little Hope of
Controlling the Next
House

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23.-Activity
such as seldom has been displayed by
committees so early in the first regular
session Of congress Is now in evil
dence in both wings of the capitol. Al
though there are practically three par
regular" republicans, "insur-
gent" republicans and democrsts-there
are signs on every hand that President
Taft is daily gaining supporters for his
legislative program.
The skill shown by the president N
avoiding clashes with either republican
faction and the knack he has exhibited
in compelling the aid of both in his
night for the redemption of party
pledges has noticeably impressed the
democratic minority In the house there
ere indications that the threatened
fusion of democrats and insurgent re-
publicans on several legislative ques-
lions is little feared by the majority.
TAFT SHOWS CONTROL
Taft is trying 10 beat the democrat is
Qua OF any prospect Of controlling the
next house" remarked a prominent
democratic leader Of the senate yester-
GAY If il We're not for the way he is
knock king republican heads together and
making them fan into line for advanced
lesisl slation-democrati legislation. If
YOU please-we would get you fellows
sure predicted this minority leader,
addressing the republicans present.
The senator was talking to men who
mad just agreed upon the principle OF a
piece of western Legislation that. ad-
miutedly. few Of them favored. The in
cident furnishes a good illustration Of
Committees are now considering sub
1ects usually postponed until after the
appropriation bills are passed by the
house. The senate committees. under
pressure from the White House, have
laid plans to take up the administra-
tive measures. while the house has sup
ply bills under confederation. Indica-
riOns are that by the time the house
calendar has been cleared Of budget
bills the senate viii have ready for the
attention OF that body a number OF
most important Taft bills.
ACTION ON RAILROAD BILL
1t is regarded probable that the pres
idenTs railroad bin viii be enacted at
the present session. regardless Of the
fact that bills on the same subject. and
some that are opposed 10 the Taft bill.
have been introduced in the senate by
Cummins and in the house by Mann Of
Illinois.
There may be some democratic oppO-
Sition to certain features of the admin
istration bill Tilman is studying il
and has reached the conclusion that
The proposition to allow railroads un-
der certain conditions TO make Joint
rates amounts to pooling. Republicans
say he is mista ken. and an interesting
session Of the senate committee on in
terstatee commerce is predicted for Fri
dav Railroad bills viii be taken up
by the house committee Thursday.
The presidents federal incorpora ton
Din is expected to have the hardest
shedding Of any measure in his pro-
gram Land bills and conservation
measures viii receive careful atten-
tiOn at the present session. regardless
90 the Ballfnger- -Pinchot investigation.
The urgent deficiency bill is before
The house and proba bly, will be passed
within two DAYS. The agricultural bill
carrying approximately s17.000.0O0 and
the Indian bill are ready for attention.
nd other supply bills are well under
way
In the senate the fortifcations bill
VIII be reported tomorrow and the
army bin is in committee. The Mann
canal bill passed by the house will be
reported Monday and the Alaskan leg
senate calendar
The Arizona and New Mexico state
hood bill can be brought out Of com
mittee whenever the senate is ready TO
receive it,
Postal savings bank bills are ex-
pected 10 be taken up in the senate
committee Wednesday and it is prob
able that a favorable report viii be
made within a week.