The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-02-17
Interest in Washington
Centred in Mexican
Affairs.
PREPARED TO ACT
IN EMERGENCY
No Immediate Warlike Move
Anticipated, but Both Houses
Are Ready to Receive Issue
if 1t Comes-Legislative
Problems Go Over to
Wilson Administration.

Warrington, February l6-With the
shadow Of possible Mexican interven
ton lowering over Congress. general
Legislative activity in both Houses has
come practically to standstill. No
immediate need 10 take up the uties.
tion Of warliiie moves against Mexico
ts anticipated, but both Houses of Con-
gross are prepared to receive the issue
should !; be thrust upon hcm in the
remaining days OF the Taft adminstra-
tio1 OF after the new Congress comes
into bearing March 4.
1t has been determined. that there
VIII be no more general legislation OF
an important nature before adjourn
ment. One more problem was handed
over TO the new administration last
week. when ,he House Judiciary Com
mittee decided to take no action on the
single siN-ycar presidential term reso-
lut on. This had passed the Senate by
the narrow margin OF one vote and
promised "A heated controversy had tho
Judiciary Committee given the House
chance TO consider IT,
Most of other debated questions also
have been lifted out OF this Congress
by the events OF last week ana the
remaining time VIII be devoted 10 ap-
propriation b!li. and minor legislation.
An attempt in both houses to repass
the iiteracy test" immigration bill
over fresidcn; Tart's veto will mari;
the opening Of the week and the
friends OF the measure in tho Senate
and House express confidence that II
VIII receive n two-thirds majority and
become Il law, notwithstanding the
Presidents disapproval
Senate Republicans WHO mapped out
lf4t LOT fNHl
Saturday have little hope that any Of
the bills recommended for passage Will
go through at this session. tho railroad
physical valuation bill being the only
one Endorsed b. the caucus which is
believed to have the slightest chance
That measure is still before the SEN
ate Committee. whore hearings are be-
ing held. Should IL bass the Senate, IL
would be SO altered from the form OF
the original House bill that "A confer
cncc committee would be necessary to
adjust the differences. a task that
might prove impossible OF conlplction
/ before adjournment
The House is expected to take no
cognizance of the program laid out by
the Republicans OF the Senate The
latter have determined to concentrate
their efforts upon the physical vaIua :
ton bill, tariff commission bill. not
yet prepared, the LaFollcttc Legislative
reference bureau bill. the LaFoIlcttc
ciSht-hour bill for women workers in
the District OF Columbia and the Craw-
ford anti-injunction bill Success for
any one OF these measures in the House
AZ th's late stage of the session is
practically impossible according TO
ieading men in that body.
Interest Centres In Mexico.
Mexican affairs have figured much
in the undcrcurrcnt of Congressional
'aik during the week. but the members
VINO Keep in closest touch with the
foreign affairs OF the United states
have declined To be drawn into any
advocacy OF American intervention.
Ihc large majority in both houses are
opposed 10 any aggressive action bv
me United States under present condi-
tons that would involve this country
IN struggle that could not end until
Mexico.
This subject is expected TO be one Of
the heritagcs OF President Wilson's adj
ininistration, and Democratic leaders
are preparing to meet any develop
inents. AZ present. however. the Demo-
cratic managers of the House are moro
alarmed at the Legislative situation and
the prospect that many Of the annual
appropriation bills will not he passed
tisin ut threatened imbroglios At
'acks from within the Democratic
ranks on the ground that "econon,v
!
democratic House have added TO the
burden OF the Democratic managers.
me end of the session will not he
lhe controlling factor in preventing
acton on the single presidential term
resolution in the House President
Eject Wilson is understood to have
! some dchnite views OF the subject Of
TINS proposed amendment to the Fed
erai constitution, and Democratic lead
| ers' therefore. determined not TO net
on II IN the closing days of the Con-
Sress' RMS determination was strength
| ened u! ihe argument of many Demo-
Gratis that If the amendment were sub
initted TO the States In its present
torm many friends of Colonel Roose-
Welt would oppose it's ratification on
the ground that it would prohibit them
from renominating him If they so do.
sired. ~
stiil Fighting Over Appointments.
counter move by the Senate Dem,
ocrats in the fight over President
'Fafts appointments is expected dur-
ing the week. Democratic Senator's
have decided to demand direct action
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