New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-08-28
Session Lasted Longer and Did
Less than Any in Recent Years,
Says Minority Leader.
INEFFICIENT, INACTIVE"
Constructive Legislation Sprang
from Republicans, Asserts ILL.,
nois Member, Who Calls
Reformers Insincere.
From The Tribune Bureau,


Washington, Aug. 21.--CnwiIlins that
the extravaSant claims of the Democrats
regarding the record of the session Of Con-
gress Just ended should go unanswered
Representative J. f. Mann, the Republican
leader. issued statement to-day in which
he riddles Democratic assertions. The ses'
sion, said NJ. Mann, has lasted longer
and has done less than any regular ses-
! sion of recent years. He described me
Democratic management as 'inefhcienf.
disoreauized unprogressve and inactive
Mr.. Mann's analysis shows that OF the
few pieces of constructive legislation en-
ucted during the session the majority were
either administration measures or bills
left over from the Republican House. Mr.
Mann says:
Practically all OF the laws of any i'm
portance passed at this session were
gress and left over for lack of time for
their consideration or else they were bills
prepared by officials in President Taft's
administration. The laws relating TO
steamships are OF some Importance, but
they We're prepared by the Department OF
Commerce and Labor and were admins
tration measures. so also was the one
10 establish a children's bureau. which
Was copy OF one previously reported In
prior Congress and which passed this
session largely through the friendly ef-
forts OF President Taft. The white phos..
phorus match Jaw was simply a copy OF
the Esch Republican bill I'm the last Con-
Rress.
The three-year homestead law was put
through by the efforts of Republicans In
the House and the Senate and Presidenc
TAFT: the law providing for the quarantine
Of nursery stock was prepared by the De-
partment OF Agriculture
Mr.. Mann points out that the parcels
post provision In the postofilce bill was
made possible only because OF parlia-
mentary situation brought about by the
Republican side OF the House and that tho
Republicans forced through an amend
ment to the campaign publicity act MAX
Ing II apply to primaries as well as gem
eral elections. Southern Democrats BIT
terly fought this extension OF the act.
In the hurried preparation Of the state
ment on the eve of his departure, Mr..
Mann failed TO remember that the rill
creating commission on industrial rela-
lions. which will undertake an investiga-
ton designed to bring about peace in the
industrial world, was another measure
sponsored by President Taft In a special
message II became a law and Democrats
are now claiming credit for II.
Ex-Speaker Cannon yesterday exploded
the Democratic claims Of an Economical
administration and Mr.. Mann agrees with
him that deficiency appropriations will be
the rule next session because OF the mig
gardly policy of the House toward the
government departments, saying:
The Democrats have appropriated money
In many cases where il was pure ex-
trayagance. and have refused TO mako
appropriations where they are absolutely
essential. The only economy consisted in
refusing to grant an extra months pay
TO House employees in lieu of mileage 10
take them home, but the mileage of the
members themselves stIl runs on.
All in ALL. while Mr. Clark has made a
very good Speaker, the DEMOCRATIC man
agement of the House has been inefficient,
inactive. unprogressve and d!sorganized.
The main work in the House on the Dem
ocratic side has been boasting what they
were going TO do in the next election.