The Springfield herald., 1911-02-10
EXCITEMENT FOR
EACH SESSION
BECAUSE OF CONGESTION CON.
GEsTIoN CONGRESS Is WORK.
ING UNDER HIGH TENSION.
SITUATION INTERESTING
APPROPRIATION MEASURES SEEM
TO BE IN DANGER FROM
LACK OF TIME.


der high tension last week and the
prospects for the rest of the session
do not promise many days barren OF
excitement. The congestion is such
that appropriation bills are in some
danger. but members of experience re-
call conditions equally bad which were
met without the necessity of extra
sessions.
The real difficulty in both branches
seems to be that numerous matters of
a political or partisan nature are be-
ing pressed for consideration before
the close of the congress. March 4th.
and 1t is realized that many of these
must fail. through lack OF time. The
inevitable result is to make members
irritable over delays.
Most OF the measures of an inflam-
mable character are pending In the
Senate and chief among them are tho
Lorimer case and the resolution look
ing to the election of senators by di-
rect vote of the people. The latter, as
the result OF persistent fight made by
week to the position of the unfinished
business.
Senator Borah is determined that
there shall be vote on his resolution
in time to obtain consideration by the
House. He will urge senators who OPP
pose 1t to make their speeches early
in the week. After waiting what he
believes to be reasonable time he
says he will insist upon continuous
consideration until vote is had. The
indications are that he has sufficient
votes to carry out his program.
The situation is extremely interest
ing. A large majority of the Republi-
cans are opposed to the resolution. but
the Progressive Republicans and the
Democrats control the situation by
two or three votes.
Several efforts were made by SEN
ator Borah to have day fixed on
which to take vote, but unanimous
consent thus far has been refused
Senator Hepburn. the colleague of Mr..
Borah, remarked dryly one day that he
thought he would oppose the resolu-
tion to the end.
The senator could prevent vote on
the resolution so long as he has the
strength to occupy the floor and thre'
senators could conduct successful
filibustci for week.
II the resolution passes the Sen
ate 1t is known what the fate will be
in the House. Ordinarily measure
which had only to do with the man
ner in which the members of the Sen
r.
ouiescence in the House. The resolu
tion, however. will encounter
crowded calendar and perhaps an un'
willingness on the part of members to
give time to a measure in which they
have so little concern.
The situation has changed somewhat
in respect to the Lorimer case. 1t now
looks as if there may be vote during
the present session. Senator Burrows.
chairman of the committee on privi-
leges and elections, has promised 1t,
and there are others who favor SEN
ator Lorimer who deny that there is
any plan to filibuster against such
vote.
Some of them fear that the calling
of Congress after March 4th would
arouse sentiment throughout the coun-
try in favor of general revision of
the tariff These Republican leaders
say that the temper of the country is
such that tariff revision session
night menace the principle of pro-
lection.
Many important measures are pend
ing in the House and as result there
seems little chance for action on the
ship subsidy bill which passed the
Senate few days ago through the ac-
ton of Vice President Sherman in
twice breaking the deadlock.
Colonel Goethals, chairman of the
isthmian canal commission is here
and will testify tomorrow before the
House committee on appropriations as
to the necessity of fortifying the
Panama canal. A majority of the
House is believed to be in favor of
Notifications.