The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1911-12-18
WHAT CONGRESS
HAS BEFORE It
Something of the Important
Legislation Now Pending
Before That Body

Washington. Dec. 1s.-A sharp di-
vision of sentiment among senators re-
garding service pension legislation,
protests against large congressional
expenditures. the Russian treaty ques-
ton, continued Investigations, and en-
actment of the urgent deficiency bill
into law will keep congress busy this
week, Roth houss will adjourn next
Thursday until January 3. Plans are
going forward for what promises to
prove congestion of legislation after
the recess.
The Sherwood so-called dollar day
pension bill, which the house has pass
ed, probably will not find an easy way
In the senate. Senator Gore of Ok
lahoma, a leading Democratic mem
Der Of the pensions committee, al
possibility of postponing action until
the next session, when there will be
no presidential election. In the house
proceedings on the Sherwood bill, the
effect upon either party of marked lib
erality to the Mexican and Civil war
veterans. aggregsting possibly s75.-
100000 ultimately. was a conspicuous
factor and Senator Gore contends that
the subject will not be SO popular in
congress after the presidential cleo
ton.
Senator McCumber, chairman of the
pensions committee, while not COM
mitting himself to the Sherwood bill.
today expressed the opinion that same
general pension legislation would he
enacted during this session of con-
gress.
We should do now what we are go
ing to do. regardless of politics. he
said. He thinks congressional action
should depend on the state of the
treasury and has taken steps to as
certain that and to determine what
various plans of legislation might cost.
Secretary of the Interior Fisher is in.
vestgating the cost.
J The house Democrats will caucus on
number of pending questions. prob.
ers contend that the economy program
must be maintained. that some of the
demands of committees and Demo.
cratic members for appropriations
must be refused but in such u way as
to avoid party dissension.
| The pension bill, already passed by
the house carrying from $40.000.00C
to $75.00,000; the demand Of the pub.
lie buildings committee for an otnni'
/ 100000 and s30,000.000 and othel
large drafts on the treasury have
complicated the situation. Democratic
Leader Underwood insists that the
public buildings bill shall not be put
through. The work of the investigat.
ing committees also is piling up eX.
pense accounts.
The tariff boards report is expect.
ed from the president this week. but
the ways and means committee prob.
ably will not recommend action on the
wool or other schedules until after
the recess. but will then proceed Wig
orously. The Democrats were no,
agreed last summer as to the raw
wool tariff, many favoring free raw
wool. This question, trust legislation
and other things will be considered in
caucus. The proposed plan to open
the caucus to the public has develop.
+! ed strenuous opposition from those
Democrats who believe party differ.
ences should be settled behind closed
doors.
| All the witnesses who will he heard
in the defense of Senator Lorin1er cx-
cept Mr.. Lorimer himself, will appear
before the senate investigating COM
mittee this week and the committee
will then adjourn to meet after the
Christmas recess. Senator Lorimer
will testify under oath for the first
time.
The steel trust investigating COM
mittee of the house and the senate
committee on interstate commerce,
which is investigating trust prob
lens. will be in session this week.