The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-11-26
sPEGIlL.REeullR TO MERGE,
sPECLAL SESSION STILL IN PROG.
RESs AND NEARLY TIME FOR
NEW SESSION no COM.
MENCE.
Senators and Representatives Who
Have Bccn I'm Congress since April
Show Little Interest In Approach OF
Regular Scssion-LOoking Forward
to Reeves.

Washington. Nov. 23.-The long
special session OF congress promises
to merge into tho regular winter ses-
sion December 1, with scarcely a rip
pie OF interest In Washington. There
has been a rearrangeinent Of plans on
tho part Of President Wilson and the
congressional leaders since II became
apparent that consideration OF the
currency bill would continue into the
regular session, and the promised &C.
uvity along new lines. such rs anti
trust and railroad legislation. prob
ably will not manifest itself until early
next year.
CONGRESS already u looking forward
TO the first chance II will have had
to set a complete recess from work.
The currency debate that opens In the
senate tomorrow. and all Of the lesis-
lative work that comes with q new
regular session. will be laid aside De.
cemeer 20 for a full two weeks vaca-
tcn. tho irst since tho extra session
began last April President Wilson's
determination to drop oficial duties
during that period will insure COM
plcte cessation Of work at the capitol.
Details OF the antitrust programme
and the steps to be taken TO strength
On the laws controlling railroads and
railroad rates have been worked out.
and will not DO pressed until after
ths success OF tho currency bill 10
assured. President Wilson's chief ad.
vssers In the senate are confident that
compromiss win be reached In that
body. insurtns support Of q curreocy
bin that can DO accepted BY tho house
and by tho president.
Until tho debate and exchange of
views has developed general support
fos an administration bill. however
other big legislative subjects will not
bs allowed to distract attention.
The long special session. which
closes at noon next Monday has &C.
complished the passage OF but one
biz piece Of lesislation. the tarin re-
vision bill The thorough eonsidera-
ton that has been given the currency
reform. however. and the scope OF
the educational campaign wased In
behalf oe the administration bill. has
made Democratic leaders hopeful
that tho currency bill can bs passed
Ia January. after but q few weeks
Of open discussion.
The public debate. which opens
with Senator OWENS speech tomor-
row win continue but three days this
week. and will be interrupted the fol.
lowing week for consideration Of tho
Hschy bill. and later for the Christ
mas recess. When the consideration
OF currency legislation Is resumed
January II Is the plan OF Democratic
headers TO bring the senate az rapidly
as possibly to q decision upon the vital
principles at iBue betecn tho va
rious factions.
The presidents keen interest In the
enactment OF new antitrust iegisla-
ton has manifested itself through his
conferences recently with house and
senate leaders who have made q spe-
cial study Of the Sherman law and It's
limitations. He has not attempted to
discuss definite legislative plans. how
ever. and II Il understood that the
work during the early weeks Of the
new session Is TO s'e OF q preliminary
character. designed to bring congress
and the president TO an understanding
OF what " needed. and the scope of
the bills that should be introduced.
Members OF the senate are study
Ing closely tho two drafts OF ths cur.
rency bill submitted to the senate yes-
terday by the factions OF the bank.
ins and currency committee. 1t is
apparent from the close attention that
has been siven for several weeks to
the currency problem by senator's of
both parties thae many OF them c-ii,
take an active part Ia the tight that IS
70 follow on the noor. II rs believed
no effort will be nSde. At ieast for
some time after the debate starts. TO
fix any definite time for It's conciu.
sion
The speeches Of Senators owen and
Hitchcock. both Demo. ats. leaders
Of tho two factions OF the senate com
mittee. probably will occupy the first
three days of this week.
Other discussions will be put of
until the regular session has begun.
The regular appropriation bills, which
will hold much of the attention OF
congress after the regular session be.
gins. are now In course Of prepara-
ton In the house committees having