The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1910-05-24
CONGRESS SLOW
Making Little Progress on
important Bills.
DEMOCRATS DRIVING BARGAIN
Demand an Early Vote on Statehood
If They Aid Regular Republi-
cans TO Pass Railroad Bill.
Other Contests.

| Washington. May 23.-Shivers have
been chasing themselves up and down
the spinal columns of members who
must face serious contests In their
states or districts II they come back
10 the next congress ever since John
Dwight. the Republican whip OF the
house OF representatives.. issued his
prediction that the present session
would not adjourn before July is.
/ Even the most pessimistic members
had thought thH there would be little
difficulty in getting away by the end
of June. but a week has passed since
Mr.. Dwight made his forecast. and in
that time little progress has been
made. That the prediction was made
as ~blun" for the purpose Of i'm
pelling both branches OF congress to
bestir themselves was believed by the
congressional leaders. but there is
danger now that the session will run
well into July.
Contest Over Tariff Investigation.
The contest Ia the house over the
S250.O00 appropriation contained in the
sundry ivil bill to extend the scope
OF the tariff investigation has been
waged much more stubbornly than had
been anticipated. The Democrats have
opposed the item on the ground that
the results of the Investigations by
the board should be reported direct to
congress instead Of TO the president.
Representative Fitzgerald. OF New
York. made a point of order that the
item contains new legislation. and il
Is possible that II will be read out OF
the bill on that ground. in which event
Representative Tawney. chairman Of
the committee on appropriations. pur-
poses TO oner the amendment in an.
other form.
The postal savings bank bill. which
has been reported from the committee
on postofices and post roads. is ready
for the Republican caucus which will
be held Wednesday night. Practically
all OF the Republicans Of the house
signed the call II is not likely. there
fore, that the division over the bill
will be along regular and insurgent
lines. 1t is more likely to be between
eastern and western members.
Many western members believe the
i7i1 per cent of DEPOSITS which the
bill as reported would require To be
kept in local banks is too small and
that the provision OF the bill which
passed the senate would be more ef-
fective to keep deposits in the com
munit.es where collected. The west
erners charge that the bill as drafted
is bankers bill and that under its
InnarafInna fh.fr a.
depleted OF money which would be
taken to New York and other money
centers. The differences over the
measure are so great that one cannot
foresee what the outcome will be in
the house
When the caucus has agreed upon n
bill which It has reason TO believe Il
can be put through the house the ma
jority party probably will endeavor to
bring In rule with a view 10 passing
the bill without amendment The
Democratic members and some Of the
insurgent Republicans are expected
10 resist such a rule on the ground
that they are opposed 20 -legislating
In secret" as they characterize the
caucus method.
Democrats Driving a Bargain.
After reposing in a more OF less
lethaTgic state on the senate calendar
for many weeks. the statehood bill
suddenly has been called TO take an
active part in bringing the opposing
factions together on the railroad bill
The regular Republicans concede that
they need Democratic votes To pass
the administration measures in a form
satisfactory 10 President Taft There
are many OF the contested features OF
the bill which meet naturally with the
favor OF the Democrats. but they can
not overlook the prospect of being able
TO drive a shrewd bargain that the
statehood bill must receive early con-
sideration If they ala the Republican
majority in passing their railroad
legislation.
Many OF the Republican leaders are
inclined TO agree that a vote shall be
taken on the statehood bill.
Senators Elkins and Aldrich are
hopeful of getting a vote on the rail-
road bill some time during the com
ing week. but there Is no certainty
that they will succeed.
The appropriation bills ali are in
advanced stages, although a number
Of them still are in conference Among
these are the Notifications. pensions.
rivers and harbors and legislative
bills. Only the sundry civil and gen
eral deficiency bills remain to be pass
ed by the house. and the senate will
be ready for those measures as soon
as they arrive.