Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-02-18
CLEAR THE DECK FOR
TAFT's MEASURES
Will Use Every Effort to Get
His Railroad Bill Through
. Congress

WASHINGTON, Feb. clearinghouse
having been made by Republican leaders
of the senate to smooth out the creases
in the administration plans for the en-
actment of postal savings bank legisla-
ton, stock is now being taken of other
bills numbered among the Taft policies
to ascertain what may be their chances
for passage So far as the senate is con-
cerned all of the administration bills ap-
pear to be in good condition. except the.
federal incorporation measure, and that
to create a legislative council for Alaska.
The fact that Senator Beverage, who
is sponsor for the Alaska bin, has agreed
to allow it to be displaced as the 'unfin-
ished business" indicates that he is not
entirely sanguine of its success There
has developed in the senate very pro-
nounced objection to denying the people
of Alaska the right of suffrage, as would,
be done by a bill permitting the presi-
dent to appoint a legislative body. Many
senators believe that it would be bet
ter to permit present conditions to con-
tinue until the territory becomes more
thickly populated. Congress-, they argue
is in position to exercise control over
the mineral deposits so as to prevent any
monopoly from gaining foOthold.
STATEHOOD BILL
The Arizona and New Mexico statehood
bill will receive early attention. 1t will
be amended by the senate committee on
territories in accordance with the. plan
recently agreed upon between the. con-
gressional leaders and the administration
advisers. In that form it is likely to pass
the senate and it is. probable 1T will be ac-
cepted by the house. This plan looks to
the separation, of the votes in the two
territories on the acceptance of a con-
stitution and the election of officers, and
provides for a general federal scrutiny
of the constitutions that may be adopted;
This accords with the presidents plan,
and 1t is asserted he will be thoroughly
satisfied with such an adjustment.
On every hand it ds admitted that the
measure looking to federal action in
chartering corporations will go over UNI
til another session. but the proposed
amendments to the interstate commerce
law have received a decided impetus
within the past few days. The president
is pressing hard for railroad legislation,
and even the senator's and representa-
tives of his own party, who are not en-
tireIy convinced as to the wisdom of all
of the railroad legislation which he has
asked, are inclined to get off the track
and allow him to have his way in the
matter. et
WORK ON RAILROAD BILL. =
Strong influences are at work to get
the railroad bill out of committee at the
earliest possible moment, and some of
the senate leaders have given their
promise that it will be reported next
week if not this. No amendments will
be adopted of character not satisfac7
tory to the administration. Attorney
General Wickersham is now engaged in
a review of the provisions giving the
government supervision over the issuance
of stocks and bonds, and he may suggest.
a number of alterations. In the house
there Is a disposition to omit the pro-
vision for a commerce court, but the SEN
ate committee on interstate commerce ex-
poets to retain that feature. -
1t was announced today that the spe-,
cial committee of, western senator's. of
which Senator Smoot is chairman. to.
which the administration conservation
bills will be referred expects to hold day
and night sessions for the purpose of ex-
pediting its work. These bills, including
that relating to the withdrawal of public
lands and continuing the Withdrawals in
force until revoked by the president or
by congress, and that providing. for the
development of water power, will be re-
ported to the senate as fast as they are
completed. The senate calendar is prac--
tically clear of other measures and the
house is we'll I'M with work &c.