The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-02-06
BORAH' : FIGHT
ANN0YS SENATE
ldah0an Insists on Vote on
Popular Election of Senator's,
but Others Object.
RECIPROCITY NOT LIKELY
TO BE RATIFIED AT ONCE
House May Pass Agreement, but
Upper Branch Will Not Con-
sent to Pact.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5.-Congress
worked under high tension last week.
and the prospects for the rest of the ses-
sion do not promise many days barren
OF excitement. The congestion is such
that appropriation bills are in some dan
ger. but members OF experience recall
conditions equally bad which were met
without the necessity of extra sessions.
Tho real difficulty In both branches
seems TO be that numerous matters Of
political or partisan nature are being
pressed for consideration before the close
of the congress on March 4, and Il is
realized that many OF these must fail,
through lack OF time. The inevitable re-
suit is to make members Irritable over
delays.
Most OF tho measures of an In'ammabie
character arc pending in the senate and
chief among them are the Lorimcr case
and the resolution looking TO the elec-
ton OF senator's by direct vote OF the
persistent fight made by Senator Borah,
was advanced last week TO the position
OF unfinished business
Borah Wants Vote.
Senator Borah is determined that there
shall be vote on his resolution in time
10 obtain consideration by the house. He
Will urge senators who oppose IL TO make
their speeches early In the week. After
waiting what he believes TO be a reason
able time. he says he Will insist upon
continuous consideration until a vote is
made. The indications are that he has
sufficient votes to carry out this pro-
grammes
The situation is extremely interesting,
large majority OF the Republicans are
opposed TO the resolution. but the pro-
gressIve Republicans and the Democrats
control the situation by two or three
votes.
Several efforts were made by Senator
Borah 10 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
consent on March T. which. OF course,
meant that he would oppose the resolu-
tiop to the end,
The senator could prevent vote on
the resolution so long as he has strength
10 occupy the floor, and three senators
could conduct successful flibuster for
"A week. Half n dozen determined MEM
bers probably could hold the fort for the
rest OF the session. IT is unlikely. how
ever. that measures so extreme will be
taken.
May Kill It in House.
If the resolution passes the senate. it
Is not known what the fate will be in
the house. Ordinarily measure which
had only 10 do with the manner in which
members OF the senate were elected.
would find ready aCquesccnce in the
house. This resolution. however, will en-
counter a crowded calendar. and per-
haps an uuWtllineness 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 tho Lorimcr case. IT now
looks as II there may be vote during
the present session. Senator Burrows.
chairman oC the committee on privileges
and elections has promised II. and there
are others who favor Senator Loriner
who deny chat there is any plan 10 flll
buster against such vote.
Legislation to put into force the Can
adlan reciprocity agreement probably Will
be greatly advanced during the week.
The Mccall bin on the subject may be
reported out on Friday and rule to
permit consideration OF tne measure with
out amendment will be brought In with
little delay.
Many OF those who oppose the rcci-
procity agreement in the house concede
that IL VIII pass. but the situation in
the senate Is not so favora Bile. The APP
per house would not be likely to permit
the passage Of a. measure Of so much
Importance until after opportunity was
had for ful debate. There will he no
chance for such debate this session. SEN
ate leaders however, are extremely anX-
ious that there be no extra session.
Might Revise Tariff,
Some Of them fear that the calling
Of congress after March would arouse
sentiment throughout the country in IA
vor of n general revision OF the tariff.
These Republican leaders say that the
temper OF INC country rs SucD mat tar
iff revision session might menace the
principle OF protection. Whether this
fear will weigh heavily enough TO cause
the senate to act upon the reciprocity
agreement is doubtful.
Many important measures are pending
In the house aud as result there seems
little chance for action on the ship sub
sidy bill. which passed the senate a
few DAYS ago through the action OF Vice
President sherman IN twice breaking the
deadlock.
Colonel Goethals, chairman Of the 18TH
milan canal commission. Will testify to-
morrow before the house committee on
appropriations as TO the necessity for
fortitylnE the canal s majority OF the
house Is believed To be in favor OF for
tlfcationS,