The Washington herald., 1911-02-05
SPECIAL SESSION
Is now PROBABLE
Two Important Bills Seem
Doomed to Failure.
FIGHT MADE ON TARIFF BOARD
sAnother Development in Senate II
Announcement that Insurgents,
eridEe, VIII Oppose Canadian
Reciprocity Agreement.

With only four weeks remaining Of the
session Of Congress. the administration
9egislative programme appears doomed
10 fail in two important particulars.
II was made clear yesterday at the
nneeting of the Senate Finance Commit
ekee that the administration bill creating
"A tariff board cannot pass the Senate.
The Republicans in the committee ap-
pear to be unanimous in favor Of it,
although at least two Republican Sena-
ltors admitted that they were support
2ng the measure out of regard for the
tPresident's wishes rather than because
hkbey liked it
The Democratic Senators went into the
tcommittee meeting with an agreement
tahat they would unanimously oppose the
t1fll, and before the meeting adjourned
A8enator Bailey, of Texas had served no
xice on his Republican colleagues that
even if the bill were reported it would
mot be permitted to pass. In view OF
:ahe state Of the public business in Con-
.Eress and the short time that remains
1fof the session, the Democratic Senators
.are in a position to make good their
0hreat
Another interesting development of the
day was the announcement that the Re
pubncxn insurgent Senators, with the
15iana, will oppose the Canadian reciproc-
1ty agreement. Senator Beveridse has
:ralready announced that he is in favor
nof it and will vote for it
Democrats Are Silent.
The Democratic Senators, who appear
TO be working harmoniousy for the first
time in many months, have agreed to
withhold their opinions on Canadian reci-
rrocity until after the caucus Of the
House Democrats Monday night Fol-
Kwing that, the Democratic Senators will
probably hold a conference ON the sub
Ject
There is an increasing spirit Of hos
tility to the Canadian pact and it be
gins to look now as if the Democrats in
the Senate. a large majority of them
would line up with the Republican in
Surgents in opposition to tie PreSident's S
plan.
On the heels of the disclosure on Capt.
fpl Hill came a report that was generally
credited by Senators that the President
would certainly convene Congress in spe-
sdal session Immediately after March 4.
n the Canadian reciprocity or the tariff
- board legislation failed to pass at this
session.
The Democrats in Congress were ap-
parently not much exercised over the
simply come into the possession of the
organization of each House several
months earlier and several hundred en-
1doyes Will be ousted from their places
end Republicans will give way to Demo-
Gratis Furthermore, the Democrats we're
indulging in veiled threats that if Presi-
dent Taft called special session to deal
with the question of reciprocal trade re-
14hons with Canada they might find in
Il justification for widening the scope
uf the tariff inquiry. that would open up
The whole question and lead to legisla-
Oon revising the Payne-Aldrich law.
Discuss Tariff Board
The Finance Committee all but agreed
yesterday upon a favorable report on the
tariff board bill. The Democratic minor
tty, while opposing the measure, will not
Try to prevent a report from the commit
tee. but will elect to stand on their for
NAL notice to the Republicans that they
win not permit the bill to pass the Sen
ate The committee will meet again
Tuesday, and it - expected that the bill
will then be reported to the Senate
There are indications that the measure
will be amended in a number of respects.
An amendment suggested by Senator
Lodge was agreed to- 1t requires thar
0fe nominations for members Of the tariff
board shall be subject to confirmation by
the Senate Another amendment pro-
posed by Senator McCumber. directing
the board to extend the scope Of its in
s1uiry. and to ascertain not only the diff
ference in cost OF production at home
and abroad. but also to ascertain and re-
port the difference in cost of tranSporta-
DION charges
The delay Of the Republican insurgent
Senators in announcing their general at
ttude toward Canadian reciprocity is due
% the fact that Senator La Toilette has
been absent in Wisconsin,. and as his
State is as much affected by the proposed
reciprocity agreement any other in
the Union. it was considered proper to
SRwait his return in order that he might
participate in the conference.