Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1912-07-20
looklne FoAWARo
81 TO ADJOURNMENT
Launching Of Presidential Campaign
Makes Members Of Congress Eager
70 Go Home.


during that indefinite period between
the first and fifteenth Of August. in
the opinion OF the leaders in the Sen.
ate and House the present session OF
Congress win be brought to a close.
There is no agreement among them
that there shall be an adjournment at
that time. and there are many obsta-
Giles which may arise to prevent the
getaway until later. and nothing to
Indicate that the time for closing down
the mill OF legislation might come
sooner, but there is general trend
and an aiming toward a date some
where In the first half OF next month
when affairs may be wound up and
members OF Congress may return TO
their homes.
The anxiety for an adjournment as
early as possible is apparent on every
hand. A great national campaign is
being prepared for launching. The
chief figures in that contest have al
ready been named. Despite the unani-
nifty of the desire on the part of mem.
bers of both parties. and of both
Houses TO bring about a close of the
Session, there still remains at this
writing much important and neces-
sary legislation to be enacted The pas.
sage of the appropriation bills are alb
solutely essential. Were Congress to
go home and leave them without ac-
ton, the President would be Obliged
to reassemble Congress 70 take them
up. for the expenses OF the govern
ment. with exceptions In certain In
stances. are now being paid under au-
thority OF joint resolution passed
on July /, the first day OF the new
fiscal year, simply continuing the APP
preparations OF the past fiscal year.
until the customary appropriation
measures are enacted into laws.
The first week of July went by with
only three of the big supply bills writ
ten on the statute books. These three
were the least important of all Of
them. They were the District of
Columbia appropriation bill, the bill
making appropriations for fortifca-
tions and the bill making appropria-
lions for the diplomatic and consular
service. All the others were pending
either In the Senate or in conference.
the House having gotten through with
all except the general deficiency meas
ure which cannot be considered until
after the others are gotten out OF the
way. One big appropriation bill, that
providing for the support OF the army
was passed by both Houses and sent
to the President who vetoed It because
of certain legislation which II contain
ed affecting the appointment to the
post of chief of the general staff In the
army. During the first week IN July
it was again passed by the House with
out the provision TO which the Presl-
dent took exception, and sent over
to the Senate.
The bill making appropriations for
the support of the legislative, execu-
tive and judicial branches OF the gov
eminent is likely to meet a similar
fate at the hands OF the President
because of the provisions which It
contains abrogatlng the United States
Court of Commerce. Should the PresI-
dent likewise disapprove this measure.
there is likely TO be prolonged fight
over the re-enactmeDt OF the legisla-
tive bill without this provision, as
Congress seems disposed to eliminate
the tribunal Difficulty will also be
experienced in an agreement between
the two houses on the naval appro-
priation bill. The Senate has declared
battleships this year. while the House
/ is determined that no such action
shall be taken and deadlock Is likely
to result. Other appropriation bills
such as rivers and harbors, ldiy
civil and agriculture are provocative
of differences OF opinion between the
two houses because OF the large in
creases which the Senate has made
in the appropriations over the amounts
voted by the House. Moreover. the
subject OF parcels post and .he prov
ision for commission to investigated
the subject of taking over the express
companies and conducting a postal
express under the postal system as
provided for in the post Office appro-
priation bill, are destined TO cause a
long disagreement between the House
and Senate.
Even with the appropriation bills
out of the way, and they are not like
ly to be disposed of until the Last mo-
ment, there remain other matters OF
Legislation which are regarded as OF
highest importance. SO far as the
House is concerned II was in a posi-.
ton to agree to adjournment by the
first of July. or even before. but the
accumulation OF business in the Sen
ate is what has delayed the final wiad
up. One of these important measures
is the bill providing for the conduct
of the Panama Canal and the regula-
ton OF tolls. Its passage at this SEES
sion is considered imperative II the
waterway is to be placed In success