Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-03
"GUEsS" SOME MAY FAIL
Tariff Revision Depends on Attitude
Of the Progressives.
THEIR POSITION IS NOT KNOWN
Two Of Eight Planks in Platform
Likely to Be Indorsed; Reci-
procity and Legislation for
District.

The fatherly republican Senate is look
ing upon the young democratic House as
a boy with a new toy. and IT is not dis
posed to join in all the games with 1he
toy that the youth suggests.
Since the democratic program for the
extra session was made known Saturday
night senators have been looking II over.
smiling and guessing that some OF the
legislation will not get acted upon in
the Senate at this session. The Senate
program will he more definitely known
after the republican caucus. which Will
probably be held tomorrow afternoon, but
prominent republicans are saying today
that it will be considerably shorter than
the democratic program.
Two Of the eight planks IN the demo-
cratic congressional platform are prac-
tically sure to be included In the re-
publican Senate piatform-reciprocity
and District legislation. The investi-
eatton Of the several government de-
partments is likely to be House mat
ter solely, and therefore the Senate is
not concerned in il.
Direct election Of senator's. in the
opinion OF some OF the Senate leaders,
Is likely to be on the Senate program
Tor the extra session. Practically all
Of the friends Of the constitutional |
amendment in the last Congress will
again be in the Senate, while the op-
position, which succeeded in defeating
the legislation at the last session by
the narrow margin Of four votes, has
been weakened by the retirement. VOL
untary and otherwise, Of about ten re-
publicanE March 1.
Opposition to Tariff Revision.
That no tariff revision legislation is
likely TO result from the extra session
is the opinion ventured by many promi-
nent republicans IN the Senate. But
there is still a chance that some bills
revising a few schedules OF the Payne
Aldrich law will pass.
| Those who predict no tariff legislation
reason this way: The Senate regulars
are opposed to a revision of the present
tariff law. The Senate progressives, al
though desirous OF some revision, viii
titic Investigations b. the tariff board. be
cause their whole contention has beer
that congressional action on the tariff
should be based upon scientific investiga
tons by a non partisan board. The
| boards report on the wool and cotton
schedules is pledged at the opening of the
regular session next December, and
therefore the progressives VIII desire to
walt untN then. uniting with the regulars
In opposing tariff revision in the extra
session. If the regulars and progressive
republicans in the Senate thus unite, the
chances for tariff revision legislation al
the extra session are Knocked in the head
Those who say there is a chance fol
tariff legislation contend the progressives
are insistent upon tariff revision. II the
democratic House passes some revision
bills and can show that tEey are based
on scientific principles the progressives
-,sfy = - f~gy
the democrats. A union between the re.
publican progresstyes and democrats vii
insure their passage.
Progressives. Non-Comm1ttai.
The Senate progressives, however. are
not committing themselves Just now with
regard to tariff legislation.
Let the democrats show us what re-
vision they want and Well see whether
it Is a scientific revision: then We will lei
them know whether We will support them
or not" Is the attitude they are taking
Some Of the prcgressives are frankly
democrats, in the absence of reports from
the tariff board. can frame tariff revision
legislation that will be satisfactory tc
them; and they are all in the attitude OF
gentlemen from Joplin. Mo. Several OF
them are none too optt..istic regarding
what the House democrats will do.
Resolutions for the admission of Ari
zona and New Mexico as states, with
out change Of the referendum and recall
features of the Arizona constitution, are
sure to stir UP prolonged debate in the
Senate, and whether not this VIII be
included In the Senate program is still a
question. Senate leaders say they have
given little attention to what will be done
with a reapportionment bill. should it
come over from the House. That is "A
question. they say, which will be left
open for the present.
The Senate, In the general opinion. is
not likely to get down to real, steady
work for some time. The organization
Of the upper house. with its many CONS
mittee changes, will take some time:
meanwhile, the Senate will be meeting
probably only twice a week. Reciprocity
and tariff legislation must wait for House
action. and while the House is debating
that legislation the Senate will. TO a
large extent, be resting on its oars.