Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-02-13
Has Reached the Squeezing
Stage of Session-Three Hard
Weeks Ahead.
DEMOCRATS IGNORE THREATS
Opposition in Senate to Taft S
Appointments Continues
Like Treatment for
Wilson, Perhaps.

Washington, Feb 9.-Congress has
reached the squeezing" stage Of the scs-
sion. Important legislation that has ac-
cuniulated during the last two years
must be crowded into the work OF the
next three weeks and must take its
chances of success in the jam of appropri-
alton bills still to be considered
Little activity has been avident for some
tine in the internal democratic fight for
contcol Of the Senate due to the bclicr
democratic element that it will effect Il
compromise that will give the newer sem
ators a full voice in senate affairs. The
fight against President Tafts appoint
ments continues, however, with undated
viEor. The democrats are unwaverinE in
their purpose of holding up most of the
Taft nominations until March t. when the
places would automatically become open
for appointments By President Wilson.
Republican threats that the appoint
ments by President Wilson after March
will be subjected to Ike opposition have
become open and emphatic in the last
week, but the development apparently
has not weakened tho democratic opposi-
ton.
Aside from work upon the tariff bills
now going on in the house ways and
means committee, the democrats are
working upon no definite program for the
early days OF the extra session Currency
and other legislation are under nforma
consideration and the way is being paved
for speedy action upon any subjects tina
may be approved by President Wilson
after inauguration.
Rumors of sharp division with tn,
democratic membership on the ways anC
means committee over the framing o
the new tariff bills have been curren
during the week. but it is believed tn
committee will effect an agreement oil
each bill before 1t Is offered to the new
Congress.
There also is Il marked division anon
democrats in both houses over the Pan
anna canal free toll question, but the att
ture of President-elect Wilson has no
: been brought out in discussion. Senate
O'Gorman, his close political associate,
, opposing vigorously any effort to repea
the free toll provision of the law passe
/, last August but hris position. it is elaine
f. results from the fact that he was instr,
g mental In having the free toll plank pu
= into the de1nOCTdtlC ndlIONhl plttlAoi %
r and believes the party has been definite.
$ committed to the policy. Many 9th,
4 democrats in both houses favor an imme
n date repeal of the free toll provision
5 that the new president might start wit
= a clean slate and without inheritinG II
q British dispute from the Taft admnistri
= ton.
Q 1t is expected that Senator O'Gorma
I. will be put on the finance committee whe
r the Senate reorganizes. leaving his pre-
j. cnt place on the foreign relations con
It mttee Al present both New York sci
It ators, Root and O'Gorman, are membe
q OF the foreign relations committee.
A republican legislation steering COZ
mittee has been appointed in the Sena
!, to relieve the pressure Of the next thr
=. weeks and republican and democrat
= leaders in the House are trying TO sha
matters that the big appropriation bi
still TO be acted on can be pushed throu
:, as rapidly as possible. Plans for the
auguration of President Wilson, howev'
~ already are obtruding upon the work
20 both houses