The Washington herald., 1911-12-04
Congress-.

The session OF Congress which be-
gins to-day like all other sessions pre-
ceding d Presidential campaign, will
be largely devoted to Sparring for pO-
litical advantage The Democrats, aware
that they made d favorable impression
upon the country by their conduct of
the House during the extraordinary
session. will cndeavor to hold the ad-
vantage they have already gained. There
will be opportunity. OF course. to COM
NIT mistakes: there will be provocation
for displaying lack OF harmony. The
principal trouble with the Democratic
party in the past has been. as Speaker
Reed once said. the facility with which
it does the wrong thing at the wrong
time If. however. its members in the
House can in thi, session. "a in the
last. work SoIidly and harmoniou>ly to-
gether, agreeing upon a definite pro
grammc and carrying this programme
into effect, demonstrating at the same
time full capacity for government, the
chances for >uccc>, Of the next Demo
cratic nominee will be materially assist
cd, especially a, the Republican party
in the Senate Is sadly divided
1t may he that the desire to play poll
tic will prc,cu the enactment of any
importlm legislation outside ui the
appropriation bills There are many I'M
portant subject, demanding considera-
tion. bu. the sentiment Of the majority
Of the House regarding them has not
been made manifest 1t IS not certain
for instance. whether any attempt will
be made to repeal ar modify The Shcr-
man antitrust law. Opini2rs differ
widely "a to the course which should
he pursued. and it is probable that no
decision will he reached until the Qucs-
tion : thoroughly considered in caucus
~ tu the tariff. the tIok !, that the
Democrats will await the report Of the
tariff board and then frame bills rcduc
ing the wool. cotton. steel and iron. and
other schedules. submitting their meas
urcS t" the Senate in the hope that with
in>urgcm Republican support they can
he passed While Mr.. Taft may be cor
rect in believing that the effect Of tariff
reduction in securing a decrease in the
cost OF living l. largely ovcrestimated.
the fact ~till remains that in the public
mind lower tariff means lower prices
The Democrats insist TINT this is the
case. and will certainly 60 before the
country with some evidence OF desire
- meet popular sentiment.
While trust and tariff legislation will
be the most important matter, before
Congress. there arc other subjects OF
vital concern. 1t Is imperative that the
question of Panama Canal tolls shall
be definitely settled. and the country Is
also awaiting impatiently the enactment
OF a parcel post law. The attitude of
Russia in discriminating against a Ger
tain class of American citizens will also
demand attention In the Senate the
consideration OF the arbitration treaties
will occupy considerable time. the fact
being that speeches OF the President and
the activity Of religious organizations
have helped toward the final ratification
of these documents. Some provision
should be made for pcnsioning civil
service employees.
Over every discussion and every &c
ton, however, will rest the shadow of
the impending Presidential campaign.
Politics will be the keynJte Of the scs-
sion