Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-01
FEW BILLS ON SCHEDULE
OF GENERAL CHARACTER
Appropriation Measures Likely to
Occupy Time Until March 4.
BILLION DOLLARS IN BUDGET
Democrats Under Handicap, But
Extra Session Expected to
Widen Scope Of Their
Operations.

row 1Or the concluding session of the Six.
ty-second Congress, which will expire by
constitutional limitation at noon March
4 next. No business will be transacted
tomorrow. The Senate will adjourn i'm
mediately out of respect to the late Vice
PRESIDENT Sherman and the House, after
the roll is called. will do the same
Ihe coming session is not expected to
De eventful nor productive of very much
general legislation The appropriation of
a biilion-dollar budget and it's distribu-
ton among the various branches of the
government service within the brief period
OF time allotted will furnish the lawmak-
ers with about ali they can handle.
lnterlarded among the appropriation
measures will be numerous private bills
authority for bridges over navigable
streams, right of way. pensions. claims
measures Of legislation for the District
OF Columbia
A new immigration law will be pro-
posed: likewise the bill for the independ-
ence OF the Philippines. Their enactment
Is doubtful. An effort will be made to
extend the life of the emergency currency
law. but even that may go into the melt
ing pot for next session.
ASIDE from the actual physical difficult
ties in the way Of handling serious meas.
consideration. The democrats are hamper
ed at present by an uncertain and for
the most part hostile majority in the
Senate. together with the menace of the
presidential veto.
Extra Session Probabilities.
When the extra session promised by
President-tO-be Wilson convenes in
April they will at least have the House
and the White House with them, and
in all probability be able to command
majority vote in the Senate on praise
worthy public measures. There is gen.
eral disposition among the leaders to
postpone general legislation until they
can drive the House, Senate and Execu-
tive Mansion three abreast.
:, The democratic leaders realize full
we'll the change in their position since
Congress adjourned last summer Then
the democratic party was the minority
party In the executive branch and half
OF the legislative branch. 1t was with
out responsibility and could hack away
freely, and let the chips fall where they
may.
1t is soon to be the majority party,
charged with responsibility. answera BILE
TO the electorate at the next congress
siOnal election and looking forward to
the succeeding presidential election.
This situation makes a difference. lead
ers say. and admonishes them to cut
their coat according to their cloth.
Another reason assigned for going
slowly on general legislation at this
short session is that the President to-
be and his cabinet and administration
are entitled to have say in the demo-
cratic legislation. The same applies to
new senators. All conditions therefore
urge marking time" at the coming
session. as far as out-Of-the-rOutine
legislation goes and merely keeping
Uncle Sans market basket supplied.
Archibald Impeachment Proceedings.
Procedure to be followed in the i'm
peachmelt trial of Judge Robert w.
Archibald. which begins before the Sen
ate Tuesday, was the subject of a con-
ference yesterday between the House
managers. who will conduct the prose-
cution. Senator Bacon, presiding officer
of the Senate. and the attorneys for
Judge Archibald.
1t will be necessary to submit TO the
full Senate the final determinati ton of
the time to be allowed each day for
the trial and the hours at which pro-
ceedings will start. 1t is planned to
conclude the trial before the Christ
mas recess il possible.
Chairman Clayton of the House mana
gers, Representatives Floyd of Arkan-
sas and Rowland of Ohio and Attorneys
A. s. Worthington and Alexander Simp-
son, jr., representing Judge Archibald,
were present at the conference.
The Senate has an additional problem
to face in arranging for the opening of
the trial on the same day that the Presi-
dents message is to be presented. 1t has
been customary to take up no business
until the communication from the White
House has been disposed of; but the i'm
peachment trial is already set to come up
at 1870 pm. Tuesday. Ii is expected u
temporary delay will be arranged in the
opening of the trial or else the Senate
will agree Monday to begin business at
10 O'Clock instead of at noon Tuesday.
Oleo Tax Promises Fight.
4 reopening of the fight to reduce the
tax on coIored oleomargarine is set for
this week in the House. Representative
Lever of South Carolina, who has "A meas
ure pending to reduce the tax from 1(
cents to cents stated yesterday that the
committee on agriculture would take VI
the measure late this week. Southern
members of Congress have long contended
that the tax on oleomargarine, colored tC
initiate butter, should not be greater than
that on the uncolored product, now :