Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-01-05
FROM WASHINGTON
AM alliance between the House ter

CANT ap!)aitiil todiy "iieh ilSPi SsSii'a
tive Hitchcock requested the rules COM
mittec to grant him i hearing on his
special rule for the consideration OF the
case. Mr.. Hitchcock's rule provides
that on the last Tuesday in January
the Baliingcr- Pinchot reports shall be
automatically before the House with
five hours allotted for debate, half to the
supporters of the majority report and
half to the opposition. He said today
he felt confident he would be able to
persuade the committee to report the
rule. Mr.. Hitchcock, Representative
Norris, tlYssinsurgent leader and Rep
rcsentative Madison, the insurgent rep
rcscntatiye on the Ballinger-Pinchot
committee. have held several confer
cnccs, and it is generally understood
an agreement has been reached where
by the insurgents will support the rule.
In return for this the democrats are ex-
pected to vote. for the Madison minor
i,v report if the democratic minority
report fails to- pass. Such acombina-
ton would practically assure the adop-
ton OF 4 report. censuring Secretary
Ballinger.
The opening. gun. Of another insur-
gent fight on the House rules was fired
today when Mr.. Ns4risNintroduced two
resolutions amending the rules. One
proposes a revolutionary reform by
making the proceedings OF every COM
miitee OF the House public, and the
votes of the committees on every prop
osition matter OF public record. The
other resolution is designed to remedy
Il defect in the iEsurgcnt rules adopted
last spring which was brought out in
the attack of the regulars two weeks
ago. The resolution amends the rules
to read Unless otherwise ordered by
the House the business OF all standing,
select and special committees, including
the record OF all votes taken therein
shall be public" Norris declared that
Tie opening clause is designed to give
the House power to order secret COM
mittce sessions in war times, or at other
times when it is absolutely necessary.
The second Norris amendment is de-
signed TO remedy a defect in the mo-
ton TO discharge committee" rule.
The death OF Senator Elkins means
that two democrats will represent West
Virginia in the Senate, rs the term Of
lis colleague, Senator Scott. will expire
March 4, aud the legislature which
meets next Wednesday is democratic.
With the retirement of Scott in view
the democrats have been busy with the
senatorial situation and an interesting
contest IS expected. Among those who
will participate probably will be the
| following: G. W. Watson, a millionaire
coal operator: J. I. McGraw, for u
number Of years democratic leader;
". Z. Chiffon. democratic boss Of the
southern part Of the state: S. w Mar
tin, 4 Iartusburg lawyer; l.. Z. Tier
ncy, coal operator, of Powhattan; G.
w. OScnton, lawyer, Of Fayetteville;
]. j. Cornwe!l, lawyer, OF Romany;
anil Congressman John w. Davis.
Even though the administration has
reduced It's ship subsidy proposals to
one bill doubling the present mail
Subsidy Of $500 per ton on ships
routed from United States ports to
South American ports south OF the
equator, it developed today that the
passage Of the measure by the House
is extremely doubtful. Considerable
missionary work has been done by
President Taft with members Of the
House on this question and their half
hearted promises TO him to further
study and consider the proposal does
moi leave great deal of hope for the
success Of the bill For this reason
ship subsidy will probably be placed
last on the legislative programme, for
this winter and this means in
n short session. that ii is apt to be
crowded out altogether. Four other
questions will probably take prece-
dencc Of 1.-THE tariff commission, con
scrvation, on which there are three
bills. Panama canal fertilization and
some measure for toll regulation or
canal traffic.
The president today sent 10 Congress
with his approval the report OF the
board Of army engineers apportioning
the so, 600 900 appropriation for
various reclamation funds made at The
last session OF Congress. The apporlion-
mcnt vas made public last week during
the recess OF Congress. The approval
ot the presidents conditional. however,
and provision is made for readjust-
mcDi Of this apnortlonmcnt from time
to time as is found necessary for the
intelligent and proper prosecution OF
the work. +"
The Longworth tariff commission
bill was introduced in the House today
and is practically identical with the
various insurgcnt bills on the same
subject, submitted during the last year.
It provides an appropriation of $780,
900. President TAFT has been using all
his influence to secure an appropriation
of 500, 900 and Longworth's bill may
not hc-a real administration measure.
Longworth'S measure has been looked
upon By many IS representing the adj
miniStration views on tariff commits
sion ana the cutting down Of The ap-
preparation desired by the president
caused somewhat OF a sensation when
the bill was introduced. Taft has con
sistcntly demanded 100000 or $780,
600 for the tariff commission, attach
ing little importance to the details OF
the bill
The president today accepted an in
yilation TO attend the conventions OF
the National Irrigation Congress the