New-York tribune., 1911-01-06
OHEDAyIN WA SHINGTON
TFrom The Tribune Burcau.l

TFrom The Tribune Burcau.l
Washington, January ).
CONGRESS MEETS. K ConErcss met to-
day to begin the really scrlous work Of the
short session. but the sudden death OF Sen
ator Elkins threw a gloom over the Capito'
which banshed all enthusiasm, and both
houses adjourned as mark OF respect
the Senate until Monday Senator Elkins
was never one of the leaders or the Sen
ate. and. indeed, only comparatively
short time ago he was regarded by the
leaders as quite as uncertain a member as
are some OF the insurgents to-day; but he
was singuarly popular, always kindly and
Sood natured. ever ready to help a friend,
and he had keen sense OF humor which
often relieved the tensity Of the situation
when the debate had approached danger
ously near the acrimonious line. lie is sim
cerely mourned by those who served with
him. and who regard his death as the
severing Of one more of the links which
connected the present Senate with the past.
Only eight weeks Of the short session re-
main, and that means Of this Congress
which expires by limitation on March T.
and there is such q multiplicity OF really
important business to transact rat the
leaders are sorely perplexed. PRESIDENT
TAFT is insistent that some OF his more i'm
portant recommendations shall he acted
on, for he appreciates that little other
than chaos and disorder is to be expected
from the next Congress. in which the
House Will be Democratic and the Senate
Republican. One of the most interesting
sidelishts to-day was the bitterness which
has developed among the Democrats
chiefly over the proposed Committee on
committees 4 number Of them are not on
speaking terms and many arc already
pouring their troubles into any willing Re-
publican car they can find. such confessions
Of woe almost Invariably being accom-
panied by threats OF the dire things they
purpose 10 do 70 their own leaders when
the time comes"
TARIFF COMMISSION BILL.-Repre-
sentative Longworth introduced in the
House to-day his permanent tariff commits
sion bill. which has the cordial support of
the President and TO which Chairman Payne
and Senator Aldrich are committed in
principle. Mr.. Longworth proposes a per-
manent commission. to he composed OF five
members, to be appointed by the President,
ach TO draw a salary Of $500 year. The
duties OF the commission are to be practi-
caly the same as those of the tariff board.
brought into existence by the Payne tariff
bill. Tho commission Is to report progress
TO Congress annually, and to submit, either
TO the President or 10 Congress. such in
formation as they may call for on demand.
The commission is empowered 10 summon
persons and demand testimony, although
the power of punishment for disregard OF
the commissions orders is reserved TO Con-
cresS. The measure carries an apprOpria-
ton Of $3.50 000 The President is greatly
encouraged regarding the prospects of this
bill or Of one drawn on similar lines, and
1t is probable that the Longworth measure
will he made the basis Of action by the
House, although a somewhat different bill
may he reported 70 the Senate by the Com
mittee on Finance. The Longworth bill so
nearly conforms TO the views of the Presi-
dent however, that there is no reason to
look for any very material modification.
unless In the form of improvements which
commend themselves to Mr.. Taft.
CONSERVATION VICTORY.--A victory
for the President is clearly foreshadowed
in connection with the conservation legis-
lation on which he has been insisting. The
opposition to the leasing Of coal and oil
lands, as distinguished from their outright
sale, is gradually being dissipated. 9~
some of the men who have most bitterly
opposed this scheme in the past have
! reached a point where they will gladly vote
| for a leasing bill rather than get nothing,
which, the President has told them, will
be their fate II they continue 10 oppose
his leasing recommendations. Among those
who take this entirely sane view arc men
whose opposition in the past has been 80
bitter that it seemed futile to expect that
they would ever yield. These men are not
even now willing 10 have it known publicly
that they are prepared to yield, and 1t is
quite probable that they will speak against
the leasing proposition when it comes UP
ON the aoor. but it is entirely safe TO pre-
diet that they will vote against 1t only II
they are sure that there are sufficient
votes TO pass the measure without theirs
MR.. TAFT IMPATIENT.-The President
Is thoroughly impatient with the sensa-
tjopaI reports which are appearing in GER
tain quarters regarding japanese spies.