The searchlight., 1912-01-12
CONGRESS TO PREPARE FOR THE
OPENING OF THE INTER.
OCEANIC CANAL.
L0RIMER TO TESTIFY
In Investigation Of His Own Election
Bryan Turned Down by
Democratic House
Leaders.

washington, ID. C.-LegiSlatiye
machinery to provide for operation of
the Panama canal and control of the
canal zone will be started when the
house committee on interstate COM
merce will hold its first meeting to
frame a program for hearings and
preliminary work as a basis of the
bill which will be reported out to the
house later in the session.
Chairman Adamson and his commit
tee have returned from a trip to
Panama where they conferred with
Chief Engineer Goethals and other of.
ficials who are working to put the
great isthmian ditch into active opera
tion by Jan. 1, 1915, and perhaps, as
they say. year earlier. Mr.. Adam
son has voiced the opinion that the
progress and quality of the work done
there is entirely satisfactory.
Appropriation Bills Ready.
Two appropriation bills are about
ready to emerge from the committee
Of the house. The District of Colum-
bia BILL which last year carried $12.-
100000. will be completed and re-
ported to the house early this week,
and It will be followed quickly by the
pension appropriation bill which runs
usually close to $3.50, 100000.
The arbitration treaties with Great
Britain and France probably will be
called up in open session OF the SEN
ate within a fortnight.
Iorimer Testifies.
oath for the first time since the SEN
ate ordered an investigation OF his
election. If necessary. his counsel in
tends to let the senator tell his story
In his own way. He may take two
days to do so. Then the cross-exam-
ination will begin. Following his
testimony, the committee Is expected
to begin work on its report to the
senate where the final fight will come.
Bryan Is Turned Down.
Future caucuses of the Democrats
of the house of representatives will
be conducted under new rules which,
while they do not answer the demand
| Of William Jennings Bryan for an
open caucus. satisfy the Democratic
leaders in the house. The Democrats
met in secret session for three hours
After protracted debate. a resolution
proposed by Representative s. Mitch
ell Palmer of Pennsylvania. com
promise on the Bryan plan was adopt
ed by a vote of l03 to q. The 81
who voted against 1t favored opening
the caucus to the press.
The new rules provide that a rec
ord vote be taken on demand OF one
ffth of those present and that a jour
nal be kept for publication. Debates
and other incidents to the meetings
will not be made public.
The rules were proposed by com
mittee appointed several months ago
owing to his illness was not present al
the caucus. Mr.. Underwood, fiool
leader, answering to call and engia
eered the movement by which the
Bryan faction were defeated. Tn,
feud between Mr.. Bryan and Mr.. Un
derwood has lasted for many month,
and the defeat of the Bryan open eau
Gus movement at this time is takeI
as another victory for the Alabams
leader.
Washington, ID. C. - There are in
dications that the senate hopper viii
be full of pension bills of various
kinds. The house and senate ar,
divided as to the sweeping general in
crease bills that have been consid
cred in both houses.
Senator Nelson has presented a bill
intended to deal more literally will
soldiers who were manned in war.
All hope of agreement between con
ferees of the two houses of congress!
on the resolution providing for elec
ton of United States senators by di
rect vote Of the people has vanished
The difference between the hous,
and the senate conferees is based ol
. question Of congressional super
vision. As passed by the house th'
resolution placed the control Of sena
torial elections in the hands of tn,
state legislatures. The senate amend
ed the resolution. leaving the contro
in the hands Of congress. This ques
ton has been debated by the confer
ees since the extra session and afte
many meetings representatives ol
each side have been unable to offe
concessions which would be az
ceptable.
Senator Newlands Of Nevada pre-
cipitated a lively debate when he al
tempted to force upon the senate hi
resolution providing for Legislative
program. He sought Intellectually I
Fire In Louisville, Ky.