Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-03-20
CLOSE WATCH ON
THE WHITE HOUSE
Congressional Circles Much Inter
ested in Topics to Be Consid-
cred at Extra Session.

Washington, March 16.-Congres-
Eional circles are keeping close
watch on the White House for any in =
iication of change of sentiment to-
ward the consideration of other sub
iects than the tariff at the special
sesson that is to convene early next
month. 1t has become increasingly evil
Fient with each day of the last week
hat currency reform, Philippine in o.
dependence, Panama canal tolls, wom-
an suffrage and other leading issues
nre to be forced upon the attention
of the country before the tariff session
Us well begun, and that it will be diff
ficult to Withstand the pressure to
have them taken up for action before
adjournment
The impression prevails among
democrats at the capital that Congress
will be given an opportunity to take
up currency legislation and some other
matters after the success of tariff
revision has been made sure
The Panama toll issue cannot be
evaded in the opinion of democrats
of both houses who have been advo-
Gates of the repeal of the free toll
provision in the law which will be-
come operative as soon as the canal
is opened neXt fall President Will
sons attitude on the subject has not
been made known but many prom
inent democrats claim he would well
come a repeal of the free toll pro-
vision before it goes into effect
The tariff revisionsts of the House are
making Roadway in committee salts
factory to the democratic leaders and the
revision legislation will he ready for
caucus approval when the extra session
convenes
Democratic tariff measures of the last
Congress have been followed in the main,
though many relatively minor changes
have been made, particularly TO meet at
tacBs that the republican side have made
during past tariff debates. There have
been some additions to the free list of the
present law. The fight against free lemons
has been compromised with an agree
ment for a substantial cut in duty
Chairman Underwood and his associates
expect the House to pass the committee
revision bills without much opposition
The more radical revision forces of the
Senate have developed additional strength
and it is claimed now that the House bills
will be passed quickly by the Senate and
that in some cases the House rates may
be cut even lower.
TO FILL OFFICES SLOWLY.
Washington. March 16.-Conferences be-
tween National Chairman VIM +. Nc
Combs and democratic leaders to-day
brought out the fact that the administra-
ton intends to proceed slowly and care
fully in filing federal offices throughout
the country
While the Senate Is expected to adjourn
early this week, President Wilson and
his advisers will continue the sitting pro-
cess so that when the extra session of
Congress begins on April there will be
a long list of appointments ready for
confirmation.
When the extra session opens Post
master-General Burleson also expects to
have ready his plan for dealing with the
situation created when all fourth-class
postmasters were put into the classified
service. The postmaster-general had a
long talk with Chairman McCombs to-
day and said afterwards that he would
occupy himself in the next three weeks
with the drafting of plan by which the
merit system could be applied to fourth
class postmasters.
While the question of federal appoint
ments is absorbing the attention of Presi-
dent Wilson, it became apparent today
that besides the members of the cabinet
who are sitting the mass of applicants,
National Chairman McCombs and Secre-
tary Tumulty are working in close har-
mony with members OF Congress.
Mr. McCombs had nothing to announce
as to the request Of the President that
he become ambassador to France. Some
friends of Mr.. McCombs predicted TO-
night however, that he might accept
the amba ssadorship, after he had helped
settle some of the more important ques-
tons of federal appointments.
WILL PUSH TRUST SUITS.
Washington March 16.-"Trust" inves-
LEGATIONS, begun during the Taft admin
istration. are being continued with unabat-
ed energy by Acknowledgement Mickey
nods New inquiries are expected as soon
as the forces of the department of justice
can reach them.
Fly direction of the encouragement, the
Standard Oil inquiry will be pressed to
conclusion as rapidly as possible to de-
termlne whether II decree of dissolution
has beech violated. Grand iuIies probably
will be called upon in some instances to
develoI the real situation.
1t has not yet been decided whether
proceedings will take the nature Of in
dctments or a petition of contempt of
court, II it is finally concluded that the
decree has been violated The inquiry, ma
tion-wide in scope, is declared 10 present
many difficulties requiring much time to
solve.
Other important trust" Investigations
which are being continued, include those
of the American can and the American
Smelling and Refining company and the
United Fruit company. The now admin
istraton also faces the question whether
to dismiss or continue the so-called coffee
trust suit revolving about the brazilian
valorization plan Secretary OF state
Bryan and Attorney General McReynolds
have not yet taken up the question