Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-02-06
IMPORTANT MEAsUREs PREssING
Lorimer Vote and Senatorial Election
in the Senate.
BORAH HAS CALL ON HIS BILL
Likely to Force Senator'S to Act at
Early Date.
RECIPROCITY MATTER IN HOUSE
WIN Probably Go Through Lower
body and senate May Pass - 20
PrcveHt Extra session and
TarIff Revision.


WASHINGTON. Feb. s. - Congress
worked under high tension during the last
week and the prospects for the remainder
oC the session do not promise many days
barren Of excitement. The congestion is
such that appropriation bills are in some
Canger. but members of experience recall
conditions equally bad which we're met
without the necessity Of extra sessions.
The real difficulty in both branches
seems to be that numerous matters Of
political or partisan nature are being
pressed for consideration before the close
OF the congress on March T. and II is al
ized that many OF these must fail through
lack Of time. The inevitable result Is to
make members irlItable over delays and
not nfrequently the time-honored and
nuch-vaunted cour esy between factions
"a congress has been depressed almost to
the point of complete DISAPPEARANCE.
Most Of the measures OF an inflRmmable
character are pending IN the senate, and
chief among them are the Lormer case
and the resolution looking TO the election
OF senators by direct vote OF the people.
The latter, as the result OF a persistent
fight made by Senator Borah, who re-
ported the decision from the judiciary
committee under circumstances which as
sured a contest. was advanced last week
T. the position Of the unfinished business.
Pushing Direct vote Bill.
senator Borah II determined that there
shall be a vote on his resolution in time
20 obtain consideration by the house lie
win urge senators who oppose II 20 make
their speeches early in the week. After
waiting what he believes TO be reason
bic time, he says he viii insist upon con-
tlnuous consideration until vote Is had.
he indications are that he has sufficient
votes to carry out this program.
The situation is extremely interesting. \
large majority OF the republicans is op-
posed 20 the resolution. but the progressive
republicans and the democrats control the
situation By two or three votes. Several
efforts were made BY Senator Borah to
have a cay fixed on which to take a vote,
but unanimous consent thus far has been
refused senatoe Heyburn. the colleague
Of Mr. Borah remarked dryly one day
that he thought he would be ready to give
suehA consent on March 4. which, OF course
meant that he would oppose the resolution
20 the end.
one senator could prevent a vote on the
resolution so long as he has strength to
occupy the floor and three senators could
conduct successful filibuster for a week
Half a dozen determined members prob
ably could hold the fort for the rest Of
the session without any difficulty what
ever It ls unlikely however. that meas
ures so extreme VIII be taken.
Hale Admits situation.
when Mr. Borah on a roll call. pre-
vented an executive session Friday In
order to carry on the fight which gave
his resolution preference rights, Mr. Hale
acknowledged that Mr.. Borah "had the
A.. 81,
republican leader would be willing to per-
NIT the resolution 20 come to a vote.
II the resolution passes the senate It is
not known what its fate will be in the
house Ordinarily a measure which had
10 do only with the manner In which mem
bers OF the senate were elected would find
ready acqUiescence in the house. This
resolution, however. will encounter a
crowded canendar and perhaps unwill-
ingness on the part OF members TO give
time TO a measure in which they have so
little concern.
The situation has changed somewhat in
respect to the Lorimer case II now looks
as IL there may be a vote during the
present session. Senator Burrows, chair
man Of the committee on privileges and
elections. has promised II. and there are
others who favor Senator Lorimer who
deny that there Is any plan to filibuster
against such vote. AS this matter Is
entirely In the hands OF the senate and
requires no action by the house. any day
before March will be sufficient for the
recording OF the senates decision as 10
whether Senator Lirimer is to continue as
member OF the body,
Few HEARINGS Given.
Legislation 10 put into force the Canadian
reciprocity agreement probably win be ad-
Vanced during the present week. Many ap-
piIcations were received by the ways and
means committee for hearings, but such
hearings as are granted probably viii be
disposed OF by Thursday The Mccall bin
on the subject may be reported out Of the
committee on the following day and rule
10 permit consideration OF the measure
without amendment will be brought In with
little delay,
Many OF those who oppose the reciprocity
agreemen in the house concede that it will
pass, but the situation In the senate is moi
30 favorable The upper house would not
be likely TO permit the passage OF a meas
ure Of so much Importance until oppor-
tunty was had Cor full debate There will
be no chance for such debcte this session.
want No Extra Session.
senate leaders. however. are extremel,
anxious that theiF shaH De no extra ses
sion Some OF them fear that the callins
OF congress after March 4 would arous,
sentiment throughout the country In favo
OF a general revision Of the tariff. Thes,
republican leaders say that the temper O
the country at the present time is sucl
that a tariff revision session might menac,
the principle Of protection. Whether thii
fear viii weigh heavily enough to ca;s'
the senate 10 act upon the reciprocity
agreement is doubtful
Most Of the democrats OF the house ar,
believed 10 be In favor Of the Canadian
agreement bnt TO determine this question
absolutely a caucus has been called for to
morrow night TO frame party policy viii
respect % the question
Many important measures sre pending II
trentfnued an second PaKel