The Republican journal., 1912-06-20
Washington Whisperings.

WASHINGTON, D. c., June II, 1912. In
all probability the bill regulating the
operation of the Panama Canal will be
reported out of the Senate Committee
on Interoceanic Canals, of which Senator
Frank B. Brandegee of Connecticut is
chairman, early this week. The COM
mittee has accorded hearings to repre-
sentatives of the railroads, steamships,
and commercial bodies, and all others who
have asked to be heard. The railroads
were not given hearing while the bill
was under process OF incubation in the
House Committee on Interstate and For
eign Commerce, and consequently raised
a "fog" that their interests were being
jeopardized through the log-rolling'
methods of the extremists of both politi-
cal parties. Rather than have this charge
go to the country unchallenged, although
without amy foundation in fact, Senator
Brandegee threw the doors of his COM
mittee room open to whoever desired to
enter and be heard in assisting to formu-
late bill that it is sincerely hoped will
show wisdom and constructive states
manship in every line. 1t is expected
the bill will differ very materially from
the House measure, particularly with
reference to the prohibition of railroad
owned steamships operating through the
Canal. The free toll provision of the
House bill relating to vessels engaged in
the coastwise trade, it is believed, will
remain in the Senate measure when it
comes from the committee this week.
The general desire expressed among
the leaders to clear the way for adjourn
ment by June 18th appears to have gone
glimmering. The Lorimer case, now be-
fore the Senate, it is expected, will con-
sumo not less than two weeks. The ac-
cused Senator will make desperate
fight for his seat, and it goes without
saying that he has friends in that body,
whose reputation being impugned will
stand by him persistently. Consequently
it looks as though midsummer will find
Congress still in session and not inclined
to adjournment until the weather be-
comes oppressively warm. By that ii e
the political national conventions will
have nominated their tickets and the
great campaign of 1912 will be in prog
ress.
1t was just mere force of habit that
led to placing Senator Smoot in an en-
barrassing situation in the Senate the
other day. Senator Smoot is chairman
of the Joint Committee OF Printing, and
in this capacity he is very careful to be
informed of the nature of documents
offered on the floor for printing before
he allows, the Senate to authorize it. Sen
ator Clark of Wyoming had suggested
that copy of the United States Consti-
tuition be printed in the Record. Senator
Shoots attention was centered on some
other matter at the time the Wyoming
man made his request, and he caught
only the words "to be printed" "Who
is the author of the document" asked
the watchful Utah statesman. A roar
of laughter greeted his query. He agreed,
after the matter had been explained to
him, that it was proper request to have
the United States Constitution printed.
Representative Stevenson of Mime
sofa does not favor reciprocity. Neither
do his constituents. Recently they sent
to Senator Clapp, also from Minnesota,
petition asking for its repeal. Mr..
STEVENSON received a letter from the
man who secured the signatures to the
petition, saying that it had been sent to
Senator Clapp and Mr.. STEVENSON could
use the petition if he so desired. An op-
perfume moment arrived in the House for
Mr.. STEVENSON to present the petition,
and he hasten.d to Senator Clapp's Of
flee to get it.
There is no such petition here," de-
clared the Senator's clerk. "The only
thing we have from your correspondent
is barrel of apples that we haven't
opened"
"Apples!" shouted Mr.. STEVENSON,
who was in hurry to get back to the
floor with the document. Nothing of
the sort. That is barrel of protests
against reciprocity" Whereupon Mr..
Stevenson jumped on the head of the
barrel with both feet, scattered the pa
pers, in which the document was wrapped.
around the floor, secured the document,
which was nearly two hundred feet long,
and rolled up on stick like map. He
got back to the House Chamber in time
to be recognized by the Speaker, where
the petition was formally referred to the
Committee on Ways and Means.
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