The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1911-03-07
PLANS FOR SPECIAL SESSION
DEMOCRATS DECIDE WHAT
THEY WILL TRY TO DO.
me, HOPE 10 Pass the Canadian Reci.
proc,,, Bin Plus New Wool and Cotton
schedules Then They'll Try 10 re.
wee the Tarif on Necessities Of Life.

w.ssrSoroN. March off the present
,lsns Of the Democratic Committee on
Wav. and Means are carried out u bill
embodying the terms OF the Canadian
agreement. together with provisions
amending the cotton and woollen sched-
ules Of the tariff Law. will be passed by
The House not later than May 1. Although
the Democratic committeeman are at
present. not inclined to discuss their plans
At length the Legislative programme for
the special session. 40 far IA the tariff is
concerned may be summarized a. fol-
lows
tirs, The presentation Of bill en-
acting the provisions OF the Canadian
agreement To this are to he added
amendments revising the wool schedule.
which the President himself character
i,ed "a "indefensible. and the cotton
schedule
Second A bill revising other schedules
Affecting the necessaries Of life.
Unless the Democrats are forced into
i they will not attempt a general revision
y 'he tariff in the special session. Senti-
r,ent among the Democratic committee
men favors limiting changes to the tariff
aw ss indicated. Opinion il general
s'so that the session should be made
ms brief as possible.
The first meeting Of the Democratic
Navs and Means Committee. held to-
dav. resulted in the selection of the
majority members Of the Committee on
Rules. In line with the policy to contine
TIE attention Of the House at the begin
ning TO tariff bill embodying the terms
= the Canadian agreement and amend
nents 10 the cotton and woolen sched-
-.es, the committee has practically de-
c,ded TO limit the organization OF the
House at this time to the appointment
q such committees only as are necessary
20 keep the wheels in motion. With this
idea in view the only committees that will
be named in advance of the assembling
II the House on April 4 will be those
IN Mileage and Accounts. With the
committees on Ways and Means. Rules.
Mileage and Accounts fully organized
the Democrats will be able TO proceed
as planned.
II 10 the belief OF the Democratic House
leaders that their first tariff bill can be
disposed OF 30 far a. they are concerned
in four weeks Al the most. With that
out Of tho way the Committee on Ways
and Means will tackle another bill. which
will provide for reductions on the neces-
saries Of life not touched upon in the
first measure. This second measure
rassed and transmitted to the Senate.
me House will he ready for other business.
The leaders expect that the Senate will
proceed deliberately in the consideration
NJ these two tariff bills. Accordingly
they will provide work TO keep the House
busy.
Definite plans covering the period
ween the date of the passage by the
House OF the tariff bills and the return
Of ono or both measures by the Senate
have not been completed. They are now
hsng discussed informally No effort
will be made to perfect programme until
the work now in hand has been finished.
A to-day's meeting and in informal
conferences held in the last week Demo-
cratic members have expressed their
views as to what the House should attempt
after the tariff measures have been
passed. Representative Ollie james OF
Kentucky strongly advocates the creation
Of special committees to inquire into the
activities OF the nine executive depart
nents. This proposal may be adopted
II will not receive consideration, however
until later In the session,
There is still another line Of inquiry
mat is suggested by Democratic Senators.
II contemplates q scrutiny into expendi-
lures Of the departments. The invest-
snlons proposed by Representative
James are designed to show up extrava-
gances OF Republican Administrations.
The inquiries suggested by the Senators
rave another purpose in view. They
argue that in passing on the general revi-
sion bill at the December session complete
data should be available. showing the
disposition OF the revenues Of the Govern
ment, As tariff laws are revenue pro-
ddcng measures, they insist that the
RoGse, which initiates such legislation
should be in possession of full information
As to the expenditures.
There are nine committees in the HOUSE
nat have jurisdiction to inquire into
ne expenditures Of the departments
for many years these committees have
leen inactive. II the idea Of the Demo
ratio Senators meets with the favol
~ the House Democratic leaders thes.
'ommittees will be put TO work with in
Flctlons TO report at the session in
lecemher, The indications are therefor,
mat IN the period between the adjourn
hen' Of Congress this summer and it's re
assembling next winter Democratic com
'nlteemen will be prowling around tn,
defar'ments.
Democrats generally want the specia
-|sslon 10 be as brief as possible. Actor
'h the nrii bills will be expedited unde
rules patterned after some Of the gag
Propositions which worked with so mucl
success under the Cannon organization
N'' 70 exceed four weeks debate will b,
'N)""d On tho first tariff bill introduced
H4ppl"Inentary tariff legislation to h
proposed IN second bill will be dispose,
p' NJ tnoth"r three weeks. Then II it /,
H''i' decided to make the inv vestiga / ion,
p.'i'H"d the proper House committee
".' ." appointed
" 'h" conclusion " to-day's meeting
~ 'l" Ways and Means Committe