The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-19
EXTRA SESSION LOOMS UP LARGE
 IN WASHINGTON
Many Measures Precede Re- ciprocity Bill on the
 Senate Calendar
SOMETHING MUST
 BE SIDETRACKED
Time Remaining Is Too Short to Pass All Bills and Vote on Reciproci- ty Is Doubtful This
 Session


 Session
 Washington, February 1S.-An extra session of Congress looms very large and probable tonight. Unless President Taft and the friends of Canadian reel procity agreement are able to bring more than ordinary pressure to bear upon the Senate and avert the expen- allure of any time whatever by the opponents of the agreement-or friends. either, for that matter-it is difficult to see how the Senate can reach a vote on the subject before adjournment, two weeks from tonight.
 Ahead of the Canadian agreement for consideration by the Senate in addi- tion to the 10 general appropriation bills are measures affecting the fol- lowing subjects:
 Popular election of senators
 Senator Lorimers case.
 Permanent tariff board.
 General age pensions.
 Congressional apportionment
 Fertilization of Panama canal.
 Must Sidetrack Something
 Not one of the measures can be side- tracked without contest Back of each Is group of determined senators in- sistent that a vote shall be taken be- fore adjournment Some of the meas ures must be left unpassed or the Can adian agreement will die. There Is not time enough for all.
 The foregoing is the opinion of re- publican leaders of the Senate. Several senators whose knowledge of che leg islative situation cannot be doubted. expressed views in accord with the out line given when they were asked to- day for a statement as to what might be expected in connection with Presi- dent Taft's demand that a vote may be taken at the present session on thU Canadian agreement
 With no little anxiety those senators who fear they are facing a summer ses- sion are seeking light from the White House. The general opinion now seems to be that there will be an extra ses- sion and that the only senators who are making preparations to go homs after March are those whose sers vice expires on that date. Among these are number of Senate leaders. the liyt being Messrs. Aldrich. Beveridge, Bulk eley Burkett. Burrows, Carter. Depew. Dick, Flint. Frazier Hale, Kern Moaoy. Piles, Scott. Taliaferro, Warner and Young (when the Iowa Legislature ad- journs).
 The retirement of these senator's q number Of whom have played importars rolls during the consideration O. many important tariff measures, win mark quite change also in the political complexion of the Senate. At present there are 59 republicans 32 democrats and one vacancy If all the states which are now in legislative dead locks elect senators to succeed the va cancies which will occur at the end of the present session, the Senate. if called together to consider the Cana dian agreement, probably will be com posed of 50 republicans and 42 demo- crats.
 Extra Session
 The argument advanced by Congress leaders in support of the contention that President Taft will call a special session Is that the executive Is de- termined to derive what benefit he can from the changed conditions in the House where the democrats will be in control and in the Senate where the
 
 reduced by the retirement of a number of members who are now opposing tho administration programme. As the House passed the Mccall bill by de- cisive vote and practically all of the democrats voted for it, the President believes that a democratic House in special session would again pass the bin without delay. It is said also that the President believes the Senate as it win be constituted after March would pass the bill.
 In Committee Monday
 The Senate committee on finance met today and decided to give hearings on the Mccall bill on Monday and Tues considered in executive session and the consensus of opinion is that it will be reported to the Senate not later than Thursday. Agricultural interests in large numbers have requested that they be given the privilege of making state ments in opposition to the measure. In view of the short time that remains of the present session 1t was decided to limit the hearings to two days.
 All members of the committee are agreed that 1t would be unwise for 1t to shoulder the blame that would at- tach to them if diliatory tactics were resorted to in preventing action and therefore the bill given to the Senate as soon as that body is able to proceed with It.
 Monday practically will be given over to eulogies, the Borah resolutions could not be sidetracked on Tuesday. and Senator Lorimer will speak on Wednesday. Even though the Mccall bill should be given to the Senate on Thursday there is grave doubt as to whether consideration for it could be I. ok