Omaha daily bee., 1912-02-12
ALL HANDS LOOK TO CAMPAIGN
STEPHENSON REPORT IS DUE
Special Committee in Lorimer Case
Plans Executive Session.
HOUSE DEMOCRATS TO MEET
of Army Appropriation Prior to
Caucus on Chemical Tariff
Revision Bill,

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11-Congress will
work this week with the tariff, arbitra-
ton treaties. senatorial elections and
army and agricultural controversies.
Republicans and democrats are looking
sharply ahead to the coming national
campaign. The presence Of presidential
candidates on both sides Of the capitol
lends keen interest to the increasing
congressional activity. Both parties In
the house are fitting for advantage, with
nearly every move aimed at the effect
on the polls next November. The prob
lem In the senate is the exact position
which the progressive flank OF the re-
publican party-the balance OF power in
the senate at this and the recent extra
session-will assume when the test comes
on the steel bill. and on the other tariff
revision measures which will be sent over
by the democratic house.
The exoneration OF Senator Stephenson
from the charges of corruption in the use
Of si97,593 In the primary which resulted
in his election will be reported TO the
senate, possibly tomorrow. Senator Hey
burn, chairman OF the subcommittee
which conducted the inquiry. will make
the majority report. Five members Of
the committee will unite in a minority
dissenting report to be presented later
This will contend that the wholesale out
Law Of money, irregularly accounted for,
raised a presumption of wrongdoing
Meantime the special committee which
investigated the election Of Senator Lori
mer Of Illinois will consider that case
in executive session.
Democrats VIII Caucus.
House democrats will caucus this week
on the chemical tariff revision bill which
would reduce duties on chemicals used
in paints and for other common pur-
poses, but raise the tariff on soaps, per-
fumes and other luxurles. But before the
caucus the house is expected to dispose
Of the army appropriation with It's train
of controversy over army revision aud
consolidation and following that the
agricultural appropriation bFI VIII. be
taken up James J. Hnl. chairman OF
the directorate OF the Great Northern
railroad. will be the star witness tomor-
row before the Stanley steel committee
The sugar trust inquiry committee is
about TO report on it's work.
The senate finance committee will re-
sumo its hearings on the house steel
tariff revision bill on Tuesday. The
hearings may continue two weeks. The
bill Will be negatively reported by the
committee. Democratic and progressive
republican leaders have individually dis
cussed the possibility OF getting to-
gether on the vote when the bill reaches
the senate. but there have been no def
mite assurances between them.
The house will be busted during the
week with Its variety Of investigations,
including the Florida Everglades affair
and the money trust by the banking and
currency committee. There has been
some talk that the senate committee on
interstate commerce might also inquire
into the money trust, but so far the ma
iority Of the committee have not found
what they regard as evidence Of such a
trust.
The committee will take up in execu-
tive session on February 2 the mass of
testimony on antitrust matters which
II has obtained during weeks OF investi-
cation and probably will report some
sort Of antitrust legislation to the SEN
ate.