The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1912-06-27
Washington Whisperings.


WASHINGTON, D. c., June "a, 1912.
The conferees on the River and Harbor
appropriation bill are slowly getting to-
gether but there is still vast amount to
do before final agreement IS reached.
For time it looked as if the differences
between the Senate and House members
on the conference committee were irrec-
onciable because of the amendments in
serted by the Senate, but better spirit
is prevailing and it is expected that a
complete agreement will be reached
eventually. 1t will be at least three
weeks before the conferees make their
report en- the bill, the absence OF men,
bers at the Chicago and Baltimore con-
ventions making further conference
meetings impossible until after the adj
iournment of the conventions.
National convention time IS work time
for the delegates but play time for those
| congressman who do not contemplate
visit to the great political arenas at Chi
cago and Baltimore. Agreements were
made both by the Senate and the House
not to attempt anything but routine bust
ness while the political excitement com
mands the attention of the country.
One of the diversions forecasting the
official congressional vacation was base
ball game between the Democrats and
Republicans Of the House, held last Sat
urday The Republican lineup put An
derson, of Minnesota, behind the bat as
catcher, to receive the puzzlers of his
brother colleague from Minnesota, Mil
| Ter, who pitched. Patten, of Pennsyl
vania, officiated as first baseman. Three
other Pennsylvania stars figured in the
Republican lineup, Porter from that
State being on third, Farr acting as
short stop, and Reyburn looking out for
high f1iers out in left field. Iowa had
Kendall on second, Ames, of Massachu-
sets, scanned the skies for hits in center
field, and Lafferty, of Oregon, was there
with his lamps in right field.
Opposing them for the Democrats was
Rouse, of Kentucky, as catcher, and
Webb, of North Carolina, as pitcher.
known for one day as 1.-The Carolina duck
ling" The three bases were guarded
by Rauch, of Indiana, at first, Cravens,
of Arkansas, at second, and the mascot
of Mississippi, Harrison, on duty at
third. Shortstop Scully, of New Jer-
sey, plowed for grounders, McDermott,
of Illinois, was in left field, White, of
Ohio, center fielded, and Carter, of Okla
homa, was there in right field. 1t was
an all-star aggregation. 1t was agreed
to hold joint caucus as to who won, and
that hasn't been held yet.
1t is predicted that Congress may re-
main in session until late in August, or
even early in September. The general
belief is that President Taft will veto
two big appropriation bills-the legisla-
tive, executive and judicial budget, on
account of the adjustment Of the Com
merce Court by the House and Senate,
and the army bill, because of the rider
displacing General Wood, Chief of Staff
This, it is expected, will force a dead
lock between the executive and legis-
lative branches. A movement has beer
started, in anticipation of this situation,
to continue over into July the existing
appropriations for the fiscal year ending
June Both.
1t will cause great grief among the
Departments, for it interferes with thei
system of book keeping. All books il
the various branches are supposed to b.
balanced by July LIST, and Congress al
ways tries to pass the appropriations be
fore that date on that account When il
happens that Congress fails to execute
the necessary legislation, all plans in tn
Departments mlscarry, and much great
er work in accounting is entailed. Their
seems to be no help for it this year, how
ever, in view of the present outlook
MAKES THE NATION GASP