The Washington times., 1911-02-03
EXTRA SESSION
SEEMS CERTAIN
White House and Capitol In.
innate That Congress Will
Hear Early Call. /
By JOHN SNURE.

The impression is growing about the
Capitol that an extra session Of Con-
gress is likely.
While there has been a feeling that
President Taft would, If he called an
extra session, hold off until fall. the
opinion that he will call one in the
spring is growing stronger.
How firm has become the belief that an
extra session is impending may be judg-
ed from the fact that a leading House
member said today he had given up an
important business matter which he had
expected TO give attention the coming
spring. He did this in the belief that
an extra session would be called, and
called early. He came to his conclu-
sion after talking with various members
of the House. particularly men who are
closest to- the President.
The extra session possibilities proceed
from two sources, the White House and
the Capitol. There has been much talk
from quarters close TO the President
that he will not hesitate 10 call an ex-
ira session on Canadian reciprocity.
Business in both the House and Senate
Is badly clogged and it is beyond dis
pute that leaders in Congress are doubt
ful whether they will be able to break
the jam and get the appropriation meas
ures through. If the appropriation
measures fail an extra session will be
inevitable.
Unusual Action Proposed.
The House situation, with such i'm
portant appropriation measures as the
naval bhl and the sundry civil bill
head. is such that the rules COMMITTEES
is considering the reporting of a rule
for consideration of the appropriation
measures. This step is seldom taken.
In view of Senator Browns threat TO
hold back the appropriation bills unless
votes are allowed on the tariff commits
sion measure, on the Lorimer case, on
direct election of Senators, and on the
service pension bill, there is much nerv-
BUSINESS in the Senate. Leaders on the
Republican side say Senator Brown
is bluffng. Senator Brown says he is
in earnest. Anyhow, the mere threat
of filibuster on the appropriation bills
is so extraordinary that it has caused
lot of talk and has served to center
attention on the way legislation in the
Senate is jammed.
Nobody can deny that 1t would be a
reasonably easy matter to block the
appropriation measures IL half a dozen
who sympathize with Senator Brown
take the view that votes will be allowed
on two or three things on which Sen
atOr Brown is most Insistent, and thus
the likelihood Of filibuster on the ap-
preparation bills will be removed.
Worst Tangle in Years.
But. at the best, it is admitted that
the situation at the Capitol in respect
to legislation is in about the worst
tangIe in years. Many OF the leaders
say fatty they do not see how the ap-
preparation bills can be put through be-
fore March, and express belief that an
extra session can hardly be avoided,
apart from the fact that President Taft
is sending out broad intimations of an
extra session that are worrying the
Democrats.
One reason why the belief is growing
about the Capitol that there is to be
an extra and early session is that IL
looks like a chance to play big politics,
and politics is right in line with what
he is earnest to accomplish on Cana
dian reciprocity and the tariff.
The Democratic leaders do not want
an extra session, least Of all in the
spring. Champ Clark has so advised
the President Mr.. Clark's idea is that
the Ways and Means Committee ought
to have time to look into the tariff and
see what ought to be done.
President Taft is anxious not to keep
business stirred up through the sum-
mer. On the other hand, there is good
reason to believe the President is now
on the popular side regarding the tariff.
His Canadian reciprocity agreement IS
exciting widespread approval. And he
TN-w,-
report of the tariff board on the woOlen
schedule. There is good reason to be-
lieve that this report will show reduc-
tions should be made.
Everything to Gain, Nothing to Lose.
II is pointed out that the President
will have a popular tariff program TO
put squarely UP to the Democrats. II
they fail to pass it, the Democrats will
get the discredit and he will get the
credit.
Moreover, from a political standpoint
the President would have something to
gain for the Republicans by getting the
Democrats together carly. If they make
blunders, these will have time to soak
into the public mind and have. their
effect before the coming Presidential
campaign and election. IL they do the
things the Administration wants on
tariff, then it cannot do the Admins
tration harm, but only benefit.
. Much Republican talk can be heard
about the Capitol that IL the President
calls Congress together early and the
Democrats proceed to fall down in their
tariff making, it will be hard shedding
for them in the coming campaign. III
the President waits on the regular Ses-
sion, which will last until the Presi-
dental campaign is actually on. the
political effect of what the Democrats
do or do not do will be negligible.
This extra session talk is all olun'
is the comment of many Senator'S aud
Representatives. But there is also IN
creasing talk that there are plenty or
reasons why it would be easy for the
President to make the bluff good. Ihe
Presidents canceIinG of some spring
engagements in the South has added to
the strength of the extra session talk.