Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-04-10
BRYAN DIVIDES THE DEMOCRATS
Sharp Line Drawn Between Conserva-
tives and Progressives.
UNCERTAINTY is THE KEYNOTE
Uneasiness Equally Distributed Be-
tween Two Major Parties.
1919 CONVENTION BIG ISSUE
Interview Given Out by Bryan
DcplorinR Election of Martin
Makes Breach In Ranks
More Pronounced.

WASHINGTON, April 9.-It is daily be-
coming manifest that congress is facing
q stormy session and there can he made
as forecast Of the probable legislative re-
suits. The fact that both Of the great po-
litical parties are divided is no longer
denied and the leaders appear to have
little hope of restoring anything more than
surface harmony
There are virtually four parties. each
with large representation. working at
odds in the present session The republican
minority of the house is divided between
regulars and insurgents as was evidenced
! by the vote in the speakership contest. The
breach between these two factions is even
wider in the republican majority of the
senate.
! A sharp line has been drawn between the
conservative democrats of the senate who
/ are opposed TO any attempt at dicta ton
| by William Jennings Bryan and the pro-
gressive democrats, including practically
all of the new members and several veter-
ans, like Senator Stone of Missouri, who
are Bryan adherents The house democratic
majority seems to have escaped break,
but the leaders fear the party contest in
the senate may at any time spread to the
other branch. The situation has interfered
with the selection of committees and the
beginning of legislative work
Much Uncertainty Exists
Probably there never has been a congress
where SC much uncertainty existed an6
where the uneasiness has been so eauaIl>,
distributed between the two major political
parties. OF course. this is due in part TO
the fact that in the present congress the
democrats are in power In the house and
the republicans are In control of the senate.
The real cause of the anxiety is believed
to be due to the proximity of the party con-
tVentions which will select the standard
bearers for 1912 and the knowledge that a
slip by either in the extraordinary session
OF the regular session to follow may very
leasilg determiRe the result OF thc next ma
tional campaign.
So far as the administration program is
( concerned there Is no room for speculation
President Taft has recommended the en-,
actment Of legislation to carry out provi-
sions OF the Canadian reciprocity agree
ment, and it is no secret ne would be
glad to have congress stop at that and
defer the question of further revision until
the regular session assemblies next winter
His reason for this is that the tariff board
win be able to report several schedules by
that time.
Clark's Intentions known.
Neither is there any obscurity about the
program of Speaker Clark, Representative
Underwood, chairman of the new wavs
and means committee, and other democrat.
who are directing the policy of the house
Their plan for progressive legislation or
several subjects with which the countr,
has been familiar in the last year or so
has been given out.
The division In the democratic rank,
probably would not have been so pro
nounced II it had not been for the inter
view given by Mr.. Bryan yesterday deplor
ing the election of Mr.. Martin It throw,
the issue in bold relief and It is freely pre-
, dicted it will crop out frequently in de
= bate.
II there Is any disposition on the par
Of the conservatives In both parties Il
work together to prevent any radical re-
, vision of the tariff it is conceded that the,
} will be able to carry out their plans. Tn,
/ progressives Of both parties. actuated b,
the spirit of crusaders will not hesitat,
to widen the gulf between the factions il
, their parties for they have announced tina
r they are PLAYING for future stakes, and su
, preme stakes at that