Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-25
FROM THE CAPITOL.


ment in Congress is thoroughly alarmed
over what it terms the menace of an ex-
ira session, and is earnestly at work to
prevent the necessity of the calling of the
next Congress in extraordinary session.
Pressure from business. financial and
Industrial interests of the country Is be-
ing exerted upon the leaders to this end.
and is finding response in renewed actfv-
ity on the part Of the leaders. 1t is rep
resented to these men that an extra ses-
tensive tariff revision, will unsettle busi-
ness and make disastrous spring and
summer season.
Aldrich Coming Back.
Senator -Aldrich, 1.-THE great pacificator.'
has been earnestly urged to return to
Washington and aid in smoothing out
the wrinkles in the complex situation in
the Senate. 1t is announced that he may
come back next Monday and put his
shoulder to the wheel.
The only course the conservative lead
ers find open to them at present is to
rush the appropriation bills to compile
t1on, get vote on the Lorlmer case, DIS
pose of the direct election of senators
resolution and then press for action on
the Canadian reciprocity bill.
With everything eise out of the way
but that measure. they will put the re-
sponsibllity of an extra session on the
President, and most of the conservative
leaders believe that he will not risk OPEN
ing the pandora's box of political evils
which they conjure in the extra session
proposition.
Majority Claimed for Bill.
They do not believe the President will
call an extra session if the Canadian bill
Is defeated on a straight test vote. 1t
has been claimed that if the Canadian
bill comes to vote a majority of the
Senate will support it, although the bill
will be opposed on both sides Of the
chamber.
Beyond that consideration, however. is
the belief Of the leaders in the House and
Senate that whatever the fate of the reci-
prOcity bill, whether it is held up by the
hlibuStering of the insurgents or meets
honorable death in battle. that the Presi-
dent will ponder long and seriously be-
fore he calls an extra session for the sole
purpose of effecting his Canadian reci-
procity policy.
The Presidents hackers in Congress for
their part believe that the same line OF
reasoning extends to the opponents of
reciprocity, and that, by the same token
the latter will see to it that the bill is
not defeated nor filibustered to death.
Should Be Warning.
They say that the very pressure from
the business interests upon the ''old
guard should be sufficient warning to
that outfit to take the bill as an altena-
tive to the evils they profess to see in
the extra session of Congress.
If an extra session is such a menace TO
business. they contend. it is easily avoid
ed by accepting reciprocity. which in IT.
self does not carry menace to any line OF
business. nor even disaster TO the much
coddled farmers. but makes for expanded
trade relations all along the line.
The one dangerous feature in the sit
uation is the possible course of the in
surgent republicans.
If Senator Cummins announcement to
the Senate last Thursday meant that he
and the group with him propose to fight
to the last ditch for the amendments he
suggested, and throw the bill back into
the House. the outlook is regarded as
dark indeed for action before noon next
Saturday. when this Congress expires.
But taken by and large. the situation as
to the prevention of an extra SESSION is
not regarded as hopeless and Will not be
given up until the last moment.