The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1913-03-27
NEWS FROM OUR
NATIONAL CAPITAL
The Tariff Must Be Settled First
Says President

Washington-No currency legisla.
ton or any other legislation will be
taken up at the extra session until
congress disposes of the tariff. This
Is the position which President Wilson
practically agreed upon, according to
Representative A. Mitchell Palmer OF
Pennsylvania, chairman Of the Demo-
cratic caucus, who discussed legisla-
ton with him.
The president has been advised by
Representative Oscar Underwood, the
Democratic majority leader. as to the
status OF the tariff bills being prepar-
ed by the ways and means committee.
He learned that the committee was
making rapid progress, but that 1t
might not be ready on April /. the
date originally fixed for the opening
of the new congress. Mr.. Underwood
thought at least a week more should
be given to preparation. AS 1t was
ON Mr.. Underwood's advice that Mr..
Wilson fixed upon April there Is no
doubt that he will name q later date
when issuing his proclamation.
TilIman Loses His Hard Fight.
Senator Tillman, of South Carolina,
lost his long, hard fight for the chair
manship of the powerful senate COM
mittee on appropriations. The Demo
cratic committee lists accords the ap-
propriations Craftsmanship TO Senator
Martin, Of Virginia.
Radical changes in the method OF
controlling senate legislation and COM
mittees were approved by the Demo
cratic managers and will be offered
for adoption by the caucus. These
recommendations are:
All committee chairmen shall be
elected by the Democratic members
of the committee. The practice has
been for the steering committee to
appoint all chairmen; majority OF
the Democratic members Of any CON-
mittee may call meeting OF that
committee at any time.
Members of conference commit
tees" shall be selected by the Demo
cratic majority of the committee hav-
ing charge Of the legislation in ques'
ton.
Few Big Positions Filled Before April.
There will not be many appoint.
ments before April l, it Is now believ'
ed here. The president and his cabin.
ct find 1t is safer to run along for q
time with the old hands on deck than
to change them all for men quite new
to their duties.
Then there is a great deal Of en-
barrassment over making selections
from among the vast number OF appli-
cants. Almost any state in the union
could furnish a full quota Of officials
to run the government with ease and
then have enough good men and true
to keep things from going to smash
at home. Indeed, many Of the states
are offering to do just about that.
LaFoIIette Makes White House Call.
Senator La Toilette made his first
call at the White House in more than
three years. He was an invited guest
and spent almost an hour with the
president. He would make no state
ment as to the purpose Of his visit.
but it has been an open secret for days
that he was invited to discuss legisla'
tive questions with the president.
The conference was merely prelim-
mary to others to be held later. Other
progressive senators will be asked to
the white house from time to time,
and. the president hopes that many
of them will find it consistent to line
up with the Democrats in passing leg.
islation.
Appropriations Exceed One Billion.
Appropriations of the last session Of
congress, including the sundry civil
and the Indian appropriation bill,
which are to be put through at the
coming extra session. aggregated ST.
09S, 647, 800.
The annual statements given out by
Chairman Fitzgerald. Of the appropria-
tons committee, and by former Speak
er Cannon, for the Republicans, agree
on that total. Cannon adds, however.
that in addition to that amount, con-
tracts authorized for public works
involve further expenditures of &c.
956,714.
National Capital erevities.
President Wilson appointed Cover
nor Burke of North Dakota, treasurer
of the United States.
Richard Olney, of Boston, to whom
President Wilson offered the post of
Ambassador to Great Britain, has de-
clined.-
Office seekers have pressed Attor-
ney General McReynolds to the point
where he has been obliged to order
the department Of justice closed to all
visitors at 4:30 p. m, senators and
representatives included.
Secretary Bryan and AMBASSADOR
Jusserand exchanged Publications of
the convention approved by the senate
a month ago extending for term of
five years the Franco-American spe-
cial arbitration treaty of 1908.
Competitive examinations have been
announced by the navy department for
July IA. 1913. for the purpose OF filling
II vacancies in the grade Of second
lieutenant. Examinations will be held
In the following western cities: Den.
yer. San Francisco. Salt Lake. Seattle.