The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-12-01

or three years are still in a benigerent
frame of mind. Animosities were stirred
up during the recent campaign.
Would Bar MOosItes.
Three of the Republicans. Clapp Of
Minnesota, Dixon of Montana. and Poin-
dexter Of Washington, jumped the party
reservation and tied up with the Roose-
welt organization. Senator Oliver OF
Pennsylvania. a regular, is not disposed
to compromise with the Progresslves.
He has suggested that a caucus be held
for the election OF a president pro tenn
OF the Senate.
The fight over this question in the
last session resulted in a compromise on
it that will terminate on December 16
next The Republicans divided, the reg
ulars supporting Senator Gallinger Of
New Hampshire. and the Progressives
nominating Senator Clapp for the ONCE.
Neither faction could muster a sufficient
number of votes TO elect its candidate
and the Democrats found themselves in
the same fix. Senator Bacon OF Georgia.
a Democrat, was elected president pro
TEN as a compromise. his commission to
expire on December 16. 1t will then be
w to the Senate to elect his successor.
Nj. oliver proposes that observance of
the decision reached at the caucus called
to select a candidate for the office shall
be a test of party loyalty. Those Re
publicans who refuse to abide by the
will of the caucus. Senator Oliver argues.
should no longer be admitted to the party
organization. II the Oliver plan is
adopted it will. undoubtedly. intensity
the bitter factional feeling among the
Senate Republicans.
Democrats May Split.
A fight is already under way among
Senate Democrats that may crop out in
the session. 1t has to do with the Senate
organization in the new Congress. Sena-
tor Simmons of North Carolina, who is
in line for the Craftsmanship of the
Finance Committee, the tarh-making
committee OF the Senate. is not in favor
with the Democratic Progressives. They
may oppose his promotion to this chair
manship. II they do a fight may result
that will divide the Democrats into two
groups-regulars and progressives.
Owing to the fact that the coming ses-
sion will end on March l. leaders declare
that both the House and the Senate must
keep everla '-ingly at 1t this winter If the
routine BUSH IS Is to be completed by
the date named. For a week or more
have been at work on
appropriation bills. and two or three OF
these measures will be reported to the |
House before the Holidays. The admins !
tration will submit the annual estimates
promptly tomorrow, and there will be |
no cause for delay on this score, as has !
been the case in former years. An effort |
Is to be made by the Democratic leaders |
to keep down appropriations at the COM |
ing session.
Among the more important bills on the |
calendars that may be given attention |
this winter may be mentioned the meas
ure proposing the creation OF a Depart |
ment of Labor. This bill is strongly in |
dorsed, and a determined effort will be |
made to pass 1t in the Senate. 1t has |
already gone through the House.
Sims Has n Bill.
Representative Sims OF Tennessee, a |
Democratic House leader. will demand |
action on his bill repeating the free-coal |
of the Panama Canal act. Mr.. |
Sims will not be dissuaded from his pur-
pose by the declaration in the Baltimore !
platform favorable to this feature of the .
Canal law. There is also pending what .
is known as the Lever bill, in which the
farmers of the country are greatly con-
cerned. 1t proposes that Congress shall
make appropriations to extend agricul-
tural legislation.
Progressives will also urge the passage
Of a Presidential primary law. Promi-
hence had been given the Kenyon bill,
the Interstate Commerce
Commission to prescribe uniform freight
by the action of the Ma
ionaI Association of State Railway Com
nissioners, which Endorsed the bill.
Measures are pending designed to pro-
nibit gambling in futures" There are
ln-7
oortance that will be discussed from time
10 time during the session, but 'as Con- {
yress will resume business at the old
stand in April. the belief is quite general
hat there will be little general IcGisla-
ion enacted this winter.