The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1910-01-24
COMMITTEES IN BOTH BRANCHES
OF CONGRESS SHOW
GREAT AMBITION
TAFT GAINS SUPPORTERS
Skill Shown by President in Avoid
ing Clashes and knack Of Compelling
Aid OF All Factions for Redemption
Of Party Pledges impresses Demo-
cratic Minority.

Washington Jan 23.-Activity, such
as has seldom been displayed by COM
mittees 50 early In the first regular
session of a congress. Is now in esi
dence I'm both wings of the capitol. Al
though there are practically three
parties. regular republicans, ''insur-
gent republicans and democrats.
there are signs on every hand that
President Taft Is daily gaming sup
porters for his legislative program.
The skill shown by the president in
avoiding clashes with either republic
can faction and the knack he has ex
hibited in compelling the aid of both
in his fight for the redemption of
party pledges has noticeabiy impressed
the democratic minority.
Democratic Idea.
.'ln the house there are indications
that the threatened fusion of demo-
Gratis and insurgent republicans on
several legislative questions .is now
feared BY the minority. Taft is try
ing to beat the democrats out of any
prospect of controlling the next
house." remarked n prominent demo-
cratic leader of the senate yesterday.
If 1t were not for the way he is
knocking republican heads together
and making them fall into line for ad
vanced observation-disclosures legisla
tion. Ii you please-we would get you
fellows sure" predicted this minority
leader. addressing the republicans
present. The senator was talking to
men who had just agreed upon the
principle of piece. of western legis-
lation that, admittedly. two of them
favored. The incident furnishes u
good Illustration of the present con-
gressional situation.
Committees Busy.
Committees are now considering
subjects usually postponed until after
the appropriation bills arc passed by
the house. The senate committees.
under pressure from the White House.
have laid plans to take up the ad-
ministrative measures. while the house
has supply bills under consideration.
Indications are that by the time the
house calendar has been cleared of
budget bills, the senate will have
ready for the attention of that body a
number of most important Taft bills.
Senate leaders who have gone to the
White House have been told that it Is
not necessary to wait for action by the
house on matters designed to carry
out republican pledges. Those inclined
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
preeaution of getting service by pub
lication." In other words. he has
made the newspapers his confilents
and. perhaps. inordinateis. his sup
porters. on most Of the advanced leg
islation proposed by him.
1t is regarded probable that the
presidents railroad bill will be enact
ad at the present session. regardless
of the fact that bills OH the same
subject and somewhat opposed To the
Taft BILL have been Introduced i'm the
senate by Mr.. cummlns and in the
house by Mr.. Mann all) There may
be some democratic opposition to GER
tain features of the administration
bill. Mr.. Tillman is studying it and
proposition to allow railroads under
certain conditions to make joint rates
amounts to pooling. The republicans
say he is mistaken and an interesting
session of the senate committee on in
terstate commerce Is predicted for
Friday. Railroad bills will be taken
up by the house committee on Thurs
day
Federal Incorporation.
The presidents federal incerpora-
tion bill is expected to have the hard
est shedding of any measure i'm his
program. Land bills and conservation
measures will receive careful atten-
tion at the present session. regardless
of the Rallinger-Pinchot investigation.
The urgent deficiency bill Is before the
house and probably will be passed
within two days. The agricultural bill.
carrying approximately s17.oo0.o0o and
the Indian bill are ready for atten-
tion. and other supply. bills are weli
under way.
In the senate the Qualifications bill
viii be reported tomorrow and the
army bill is i'm committee The Mann
canal bill. passed by the house. viii
be reported on Monday and the Alas
kan legislative council bill also will
go on the senate calendar. The Ari-
zona and New Mexico statehood bill
can be brought out of committee
whenever the senate is ready To re-
ceiye it, Postal savings bank bills
are expected to be taken up in the
senate committee ON Wednesday and