New-York tribune., 1911-02-25
fFrom The Tribune Buroau.l
WASHINGTON. Fcbruar

washington, February ~
THE PRESIDENT OBDURATE-Presi-
dent Taft will neither yield his intention
10 call Congress In special session II the
Senate fails TO vote on the Canadian reci-
procity agreement nor will lie make
trade with the insurgents whereby, II IS
asserted, he could insure its approval
Every argument Of political expediency'
every dire prediction of personal and party
political disaster, has been made TO MN
without avail He has been assured tha'
IL he would make a bargain with the IN
surgent Senators TO withdraw his support
Of the amendment to the postofice Dill IN
creasing the postage on magazines ne
could thereby obviate insurgent opposition
but to no avail. He has outlined his course
He knows the Senate can vote on the
agreement If It wishes to. He is appar-
entity not concerned with the question
Of whether there shall or shah not oe
special session. lie feels that he has placed
all the responsibility of deciding that ques-
ton on the Senate. and he is entirely con-
tent 10 let the Senate decide. lie Is Con-
vinced that if the agreement reaches No'e
u will he approved So are its chief op-
ponents in the Senate They say lraihi9
they will let it come TO vote as SOON dc
they have CROUCH votes TO defeat ii. n
good many Senators have made up their
minds that an extra session is uhaVoiuaoie
few are still optimistic for vote az thls
session. and still few have not come 10
realization of the fact that the fresl-
dent is absolutely in earnest ana mat
nothing can dissuade him from his purpose
Senator Hale warned Senators to-day that
in order 10 accomplish the work that re-
rained 10 be done On the Appropriation
bills they would have 70 meet early ana
hold night sessions all next week. Like the
babbling brook, Senator Beveridge who IS
diecussing the Lorimer case--according TO
senator Depew for the benefit of the gal
Ieries and the empty chamber. and the GER
tainty that nothing the Indiana Senator
can say will make single vote against
the Ilinoisan, would seem 10 bear out MI
Depew's contention-has threatened 10 Ho"
on forever Every member Of the senate
would regard special session as dlsas-
ter. and yet the body goes on with the un-
concern Of a baby playing with dynamite
bomb.
KILLING ECONOMY.-The demagogy
which led the Democrats in the House
practically to nullify remarkable achleVe-
ment in the direction Of economy winch
George Won l.. Meyer, as Secretary OF the
Navv has effected deserves more public
notice than il has received. Because of the
legislative Jam incident to the close of
short session the Republicans were Obliged
IN consent 10 a special rule which gives the
Democratic minority virtually veto power
in the House. And almost the first use
they made Of that power was TO compel the
insertion in the naval bin of provisions
designed of course. to cultivate the labor
vote, which, if they get through the SEN
ate, will wipe out the great saving MI
Mever has accomplished. 1t was fury
demonstrated TO the members of the Naval
Committee and by them explained TO the
House that insistence upon the eight-hour
law in private yards where battleshps We're
constructed would make the cost OF this
wears naval programme about $50, 10000
whereas without that insistence saving OF
about $5.225O 600 could be effected. 1t was
shown that the battleship Arkansas, re-
Gently launched at Camden, ~ j. cost
sl.5oc.OO0 or s1.5OOOoo less than the limit
authorized by Congress, and that the
FLORIDA. bdllClng III lne New hOlh -No''
Yard. will cost S64Oo,OO0, which is 2,45O,cp
more than the cost Of the Utah, building IN
a private yard at Camden. 1t was further
shown that because Of the eight-hour pro
vision the Navy Department was com
PEELED TO accept a bid on the new Texas of
! s.. 800 ,O0o. an increase in cost over that Of
the Arkansas of 81 10000. although the in
crease in size amounted TO only 1909 tons.
And finally it was shown that the sister