The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1911-03-02
SENATE IN A TANGLE, QUITS
HtIF PROMISE or 4 VOTE on
Tariff COMMISSION TO-DAY.

Avail In Long Drawn Out session
-Heyburn. stsne ct Al. F1libustcr 10
k,n the Bi,I-Itark for Reciprocity.
WARRINGTON. March 2-The Senate
adjourned at i:3s o'clock this morning
until II o'clock. The adjournment was
taken upon q half promise bY Senator
Stone and other Democrats to reach an
agreement for q vote on the tariff COM
mission bill to-day.
The Senate at 1 o'clock this morning
~as again facing the almost certain pros
pect Of an all night session This time it is
deadlocked owe the tariff commission bill.
4 Alibuster had developed against this
measure and the insurgents threatened
10 hold the Senate in session until a vote
vas obtained.
With only two days and half remaining
Of the present session. the Senate is still
confronted with legislative tangle that
not only seems to portend certain defeat
for Canadian reciprocity but endangers
the passage OF some OF the big appropria-
ton bills. The compromise reached
on Tuesday seems to have accomplished
little beyond the disposal OF the Lorimer
case, and indications are now that the in.
surgents will have a difIicult task in
forcing the bill creating a permanent
tariff commission through the Senate
When the Senate progressives con-
sented to vote on the Lorimer case they
forced the laying of the tariff commits
son bill before the Senate az the un6n-
mans agreement that there would be
no flibuster against the vote on this
measure. Developments now show that
the gentleman's agreement was not an
all embracing affair. 1t did not include
Senators Hepburn and Hale on the Repub-
lican side and Senator Stone and some
# his supporters on the Democratic
aide. All OF these are bitter opponents
Of the tariff commission idea. and they
will do everything possible to accomplish
ns defeat.
Both Senators Hepburn and Stone
in the course Of yeste- days proceedings
gave ample evidence of their infenti ION TO
delay vote on the tariff commission
measure by induIging in a polite form of
filibuster.
Senator Hepburn seized every oppor-
tunity to discuss projects in the agricul-
tural appropriation bill which ives before
the Senate, and he was frequently aided
and abetted by Senator Stone and one or
two other Democrats.
The result Of the dilstory tactics was
that the Senate disposed of only
one OF the eleven appropriation bills
confronting II. It had been Senator
Hales anticipation that the Senate by
holding . night session would be able to
dispose Of FIVE Of the pending appropria-
tion measures. The evening session was
held. but four and half hours were con-
sumed all told in discussing the agri-
cultural appropriation bill. and all other
money measures were consequently put
on until to-day.
The fact is no longer concealed that the
reciprocity bill has practically TO cham
pion on the Republican side Of the Senate.
The only Senator who shows any appes.-
ance OF conducting an active fight on the
floor OF the Senate in behalf OF reciprocity
lie Senator Stone. a Democrat. A large
majority OF the Republicans will vote
for the bill il obliged to go on record,
hut are making no particular cd ort TO
force an expression on it.
Efforts are still being made by oppo-
nents Of the bill to induce enoug gh Demo-
Gratis either TO vote against it or absent
themselves from the chamber to ao-
complish its defeat The President has
heen informed Of these efforts. and he has
the names OF at least two Democrats
who. although favoring reciprocity. have
signihed their willingness to vote against
the bill il a special session can be avoided.
The difficulty that confronts these
Senators is that President Taft himself
has made personal canvass Of the Senate
and knows the views Of each Senator
on this subject He has accordingly
served notice on Senate leaders that no
subterfuge OF this character will deter
him from calling a special session.
TWAS learned yesterday that the Senators
who first approached the President with
this proposition OF saving himself"
by conniving at an adverse vote which
viii place the responsibility for defeat
squarely upon the Senate met with q
reception that somewhat shocked their
serenity. The President banged his fist
on the table and read the riot act to the
snstors in a way that finally brought
an apology from them for having sug-
gested the matter to him.
The President no longer il worrying
over the situation. He has done his
best 10 lay the matter before Congress
and the country and to emphasize the
necessIty for action. He is sitting back
now prepared II necessary to play his
last card in the way OF special session,
Let them sizzle while; I'm through
s'ewing' was the way the Precedent
vas quoted yesterday by one OF his visitors
w. asreierrng to the Senate.
he insurgents in the Senate under
TOOK To push consideration OF the tariff
commission bill as soon as the Lorimer case
vas disposed OF yesterday afternoon, They
soon saw though that an effort to delay
The agricultural appropriation bill would
maze enemies to their cause and they
a'cordIngly yielded for the consideration
ana disposal OF that measure.
II vas then that Senator Hepburn and
hfnator Stone unlimbered their guns
aad started out on a deliberate attempt