The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-10
CONGRESS REACHES
"SQUEEZING" STAGE
OF THE LAST SESSION
tcontIsued From Page one)

plete domination of the Senate by the
democratic forces. The democrats ex-
hibit that confidence of action which
comes from a certain majority in the
new Senate, and the knowledge that
there will be little IL any more i'm
portant legislation enacted by Con-
gress before they take charge of af-
fairs. Little activity has been evident
for some time in the internal demo-
cratic fight for control of the SEN
ate, due chiefly to the we'll grounded
belief on the part of the so-ealled pro-
gressive democratic element that it VIII
effect a compromise that will give the
newer senators a full voice in Senate
affairs. The fight against President
Taft's appointments continues, however
with unabated vigor. While a compro-
mise may be reached ultimately as to
the Taft appointments allowing some
of them to be confirmed the democrats
are unwavering i'm their purpose of
holding UP most of the Taft nomina-
tions until March l. when the places
would automatically become open for
appointments by President Wilson,
Is Wilson in Harmony?
Whether President-elect Wilson is IN
harmony with the action of democratic
leaders in this plan is not made known
His latest discussion of the subject has
shown his unwllingness to be drawn
into a declaration of his attitude to-
ward the patronage fight. Republican
threats that the appointments by Pres
ident Wilson after March will be SUBJ
jected to like opposition have become
open and emphatic in the last week.
4
not weakened the democratic opposi-
ton.
Aside from work upon the tariff bills
now going on behind closed doors in
the House ways and means committee,
the democrats are working upon no
definite arrangement for the early days
of the extra session. Currency and 9TH
er legislation are under informal con-
sideration and the way is being paved
for speedy action upon any subjects
that may be approved by President
Wilson when he has consulted further
with Legislative and executive advisers
after Inauguration.
Those closest to the President in
Congress reflect his determination not
to announce policies or programmes
until the new administration comes
into power, Senators 9oke Smith. Gore
and O'Gorman; Representatives Under
wood, Palmer of Pennsylvania. Burle-
son and Henry of Texas and Speaker
Clark, are looked upon as more init
mately acquainted with the present at
titude of Governor Wilson than the ma
jority of their colleagues. What in
formation they may have. however. as
to his wishes is not being reflected
openly in their discussion of the ap-
preaching sessions work.
Itumors OF sharp division within the
democratic membership of the ways
and means committee over the framing
OF the new tariff bulls have been cur
rent during the week. but IT is be-
lieved the committee Will effect an
agreement on each bill before it is
Offered to the new Congress so that
no substitute measure will be brought
into the fight
Marked Division
There also is a marked division
among democrats in both houses over
the Panama canal free toll question.
but the attitude Of President- elect Wi .
son has not been brought oWt in the
discussion. Senator 0'Gorman his close
political associate. is ooposing vigor-
ously any effort to repeal the free toll
provision of the law passed last A,i-