New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-21
Canadian Reciprocity, Statehood
and Campaign Publicity the
Most important.
TARIFF TlNKERING BLOCKED
Many Investigations Begun by
Democrats Have Not Been
Finished-Session
Strenuous One.

comparison with the ambitious campaign
adopted at the outset were not large.
Canadian reciprocity was brought as near
reality as the executive and legislative de-
pertments could advance II; statehood was
assured for New Mexico and Arizona; cam
paign publicity legislation was enacted IN
form satisfactory 10 its most earnest ad-
vocates; provision was made for an en-
larged House OF Representatives based on
the last census. and few other measures
If minor importance were passed.
A Democratic House, the first since 1893,
seized on this session as means to con-
vey 10 the country the views OF the Democ-
racy on tariff revision, but Executive dis
approval made futile all efforts to impress
those views on the statute books. TWO
tariff bills. one materially reducing the eX-
istlng duties on wool and woolen goods OF
III classes and the other placing on the
free list articles Of machinery end tools
used by farmers, and amended 20 include
many other items. we're vetoed by President
Taft.
To based his disapprovsl on the grounds
that the bills had not been scientifically
prepared sad that tariff revision should
wait until reports on the different sched-
ules had hcen made by the Tariff Board
y .'i-.'Ii i-f -4'tl i4i ultS tA4i4t-A- 49,
The House. under the leadership of Rep
reseatatire Underwood Of Alabama, chair
man of the Ways and Means Committee,
auI speaker Clark. ondeavored 10 pass the
Hills o,er the veto. but the necessary two
thirds votes could not be mustered. Those
failures 20 overthrow President Taft's veto
messages were n strong factor in deter
mining leaders 70 bring the session % d
close. and it is moi likely that the Congress
will De I'm session 10 receive q ike message
relating 90 the cotton revision measure.
Trust Inquiries Still GOING On.
Trust investigations without number were
begun during the session, and they are still
IN progress. Constructive legislation to
bear on federal regulation Of corporations
Is regarded as certain 20 come Is result
Of the inquiries and plans already have
been instituted 10 revise the antitrust laws.
Charges were revived that Senator Lori
nner was elected by the Illinois Legislature
through the medium Of bribery and sec
ond investigation by the Senate was put
well under way. 4 Senate inquiry into the
election Of Senator Stephenson Of Wis
consin, was ordered.
General arbitration treaties with Great
Britain and France were sent 10 the Senate
by President Taft. but they were received
coldly because the upper house oontended
that one provision OF the treaties usurped
tts constitutional prerosatves. Presentation
OF the treaties strained hitherto cordial re-
lations between the Foreign Relations Com
rnittee and the State Department. and as
result President Taft has made II plain
that an issue has been raised which he will
carry TO the country IN the hope OF obtain
ing ratification when Congress reconvenes.
Friction In the Department Of Agricult-
IRE over the enforcement % the pure food
laws has been exposed by one Of many
Investigations originating In the Demo
cratic House and a countrywide issue IS
raised over the question OF whether the
activities Of Or. Harvey ". Wiley tho
governments pure food expert, have been
made ineffective.
Proceedings in tho House under caucus
rule led by Mr. Underwood, precipitated %
sharp controversy between Mr.. Underwood
and William Jennings Bryan. Mr.. Bryan
Was aroused because OF the failure Of the
House caucus 10 include I'm its tariff pro
| eramme az first the revision Of the iron
end steel schedule He attacked Mr.. Tn
Gerwood on this ground, but the latter
received an overwhelming vote Of con-
ddeuce when the matter was made an
issue IN the House. During the contro-
versy the Ways and Means Committee
was Of work on an iron and steel revision
r'an ont st. remained Cor tho Senate TO act
op this schedule. With the acduiescence
~ House leaders. the Senate attached an
iron and steel schedule 20 tho cotton bill.
., VIII be concvrred in 10y the House to
borrow. regardless OF the death IL IS GER
tam to meet when St reaches tho White
House
Power Taken from Speaker
Wien the special session convened on
A2rl Z tho House was organized by the
Democratic WAYS and Means Committee,
and this body made the committee assign
ment>. The nov system eliminated what
was known ior many years as the CARBON
ot the Sucakc; The committee also d-
rec.ed the deliberations Of the Democratic
caucus and framed the legislative pro-
srammc OF The session. which included ac-
ton on Canadian reciprocity "a Farmers
Free List bin. reduction Of duties on the
wool and cotton schedules. increasing the
membership Of the House from 3S1 10 1873.
providing for a constitutional amendment
looking 10 the election of United States
Senators by direct vote, a revision Of the
campaign publicity law and statehood for
New Mexico ana Arizona.
While the House was successful in carry
ing out its plans, few of the. measures win
reach the statute books. The resolution
relating 70 popular election OF Senators was
amended by the Senate and was sent to
conference, from which It cannot emerge
this session. The statehood bill was vetoed
by President Taft because the Arizona con-
stitution ratified the recall Of the ju-
dietary. but a substitute resolution eliri-
mating the recall feature was passed by
both houses.
Remarkable Alliance in Senate.
In the Senate. with many Of the old
leaders missing, a remarkable alliance was
formed between the Democrats and in
surgent Republicans, led by La Toilette
Cuumins and Bristow. After the first
few weeks Of the session st worked har-
Ynoniously until the closing week, when
occurred one Of the most spectacular leg
islative upsets in many years. The sever
ance OF the coalition came on cOnsidera-
ton OF the cotton bill. When Senator
Cummins withdrew an amendment 10 at
tach iron ami steel revision 50 the cotton
bill the Democrats seized on II as their
own and were able TO pass il when regular
Republicans RETAINED from voting or abb
scented themselves from the chamber
Committees OF the House on expenditures
N the government departments were di-
rected in special resolutions TO inquire