The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-25
PRESENT SITUATION ! WILL REACH CRISIS { ON MONDAY NIGHT Democratic Party Caucuses Then on Public Build
 ings Bill
 UNDERWOOD OPPOSED l TO PASSAGE OF BILL Will Be Very Embarrassing to Demo- cratic Party-Underwoo Hopes
 for His Party's Support.
 The Situation Is Grave
By WALTER HARPER

WaShlnSt0n, January 24--(Speclal'J J-l l lie kmost crucial situation now facing the idemocartic party in Congres will reach lcrisis next Monday night in the party caucus on the public buildings bill.
 Leader Underwood does not want pub lie building bill presented at this session. He is hopeful of the support of his party lin this plan, but there will be a fight in the caucus. Some of the members are naturally ambitious to carry home at the end of the session one or more appropria- lions for public buildings in their respec- tive districts.
 Money Not Available
 As matter Of fact should appropria- tions be made this year for public build ings the money could not be made avail able for TWO or three years and the result would only go to swell the aggregate of the sessions total appropriations. | The supervising architect of the treas ury department has announced that his office is now three years behind with its work. Buildings provided for at this ses- sion cannot be begun for at least three gears. MT Underwood and those who are supporting his economic programme point cut that nothing will be lost in delaying appropriations another year. The build ings will be secured just as early as though appropriations were made at this session.
 Other Bills Would Follow If Mr. Underwood and his supporters are defeated in their public buildings plan st is feared that check cannot be held ;,, my is desired. The democratic leaders call attention to the fact that at this time lats year the federal treasury showed q deficit of S4,000,00O Tie present deficit is S27 0O0,00O This is exclusive of estimates for rivers and harbors, pensions, and other new and proposed projects.
 l MT. Underwood and the other leaders are very jealous for sensible economy in the present session They know that the success of the party depends as much on this as on any results that may be secured in tariff legislation. They contend that there is no just demand for building ap- |propriations at this time and will contend for this important item of economy at the caucus.
 Much Depends on Success
 great deal depends upon their sue cess in the fight that will come up next Monday night The passage of a public buildings bill will participate other pofk barrel legislation that will not only seri- ously embarrass the treasury but will deopardize the now excellent prospects of the party at the coming elections. The approval of public building legislation in the caucus can only be secured by mem bers who are ambitious to make show 1ngs to their home people, But this, it is said. can have no immediate effect in kecurii.g g public buildings.
 They can only boast of an appropria- tion or two without the possibility of buildings for several years.
 Unless appropriations are held down at this session it may become necessary to Issue bonds before the close of the pres ent wear to meet expenses. Such re Isult would have a most disastrous effect pn the democratic party.