The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-02-21
|G. o. P. RELIEVED
BY CONCESSION
Administration Program Cut to
the Bone, and Leaders Pro-
mise That What Is Left
Shall Go Through-Some
Work May Be Done
at Last.

| Washington, D. c., February 20
! The announcement from the White
/ House that President Taft had by his
| ber of administration measures he
would demand at the present session
of Congress is received by Republi-
can leaders with unmyxed feelings of
I relief. Tho administration program
7 was so formidable that members who
! are warmly supporting the Taft poll
| cics hardly knew where to begin.
| schedule. including only the bills
to amend the interstate commerce laws,
iprovide for the regulation of the issu-
ance of injunctions, start Arizona and
New Mexico on the road to statehood,
and to validate the Withdrawals of
public lands for conservation purposes.
! is regarded as quite possible of attain
believed, can be put through the Sem
ate while the House is still wrestling
with appropriation bills.
Quick Action Taken.
When IT was reported at the Capitol
yesterday that the President would be
! satisfied with the enactment of the four
measures named, steps were taken to
bring all these matters out Of commit
tees at the earliest possible date. The
postal savings bank bill already is be-
fore the Senate, and an agreement be-
tween the Supporters of conflicting
| amendments is assured. 1t is regarded
as practically certain that the bill
can be passed during the coming
week.
The one conservation bill that Pres
ident Taft is determined shall be passed
is that which gives to the President
tho unrestricted power to withdraw
public lands from settlement and place
them in reserve that will continue in
force until restored by him or by Con-
/ Sgress to the portion of the publIc
domain that shall be open to settle
mcnt.
In the meantime an effort will be
made by a special committee of West
ern Senator's to perfect other conscr-
vation measures so that they will be
ready for consideration at the next ses-
sion.
Hearings are now in progress on the
statehood bill, but it is unlikely that
the measure will be brought out of
the Senate Committee on Territories
until the postal savings bank and rail-
road bills are out of the way.
Ship subsidy legislation Is unpopular
In SO many sections of the country
that some members are distinctly re-
lieved at the prospect that the Hum
phrey bill, reported from the House
Committee on Merchant Marine and
Fisheries. may not be taken up at
this session.
There is feeling in the Senate
Committee on Commerce that the riv-
House. carries about as heavy appro-
priations now as can be hoped for at
this session.
For Pet Projects.
The policy of the Senate committee
will be to scale down the House appro-
prlations wherever possible and make
room for pet projects favored by Sem
ators. without greatly swelling the
aggregate sum to be carried by the
bill.
Tariff revision Democrats and insur-
gent Republicans appear to be not at
all satisfied with the complexion Of the
special Senate committee appointed to
inquire into the high cost of the nec-
essaries of life. It has been announced
that the committee Will not hold open
sessions, and some members of Con-
gress charge that this assures a re-
port giving causes other than the tar
iR for the high cost of necessaries
Chairman Lodge promises, however
/ that every suspected reason for the
increased cost of foodstuffs during the
last two years will be weighed and
that the tariff will receive careful
scrutiny.
Appropriation bills in the House
have progressed satisfactorily, accord
Ing to tho opinion of the leaders. OF
the fifteen bills, ten have been reported
from committees, seven have been
passed by the House, and five by both
the House and Senate, and these have
been sent to conference. The Indian
bill and the post-oftice bill probably
will be passed by the House during the
coming week.
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LEAF. FROM BI A7ING CAR