Evening journal., 1913-12-01


| Wilson and the House and Senate
maiorities to carry out every pledge
given the people in the Baltimore
platform.
Already the tariff promises have
been put into effect. The Underwood
/ Simmons act IS now on the statute
/ books and before another year passes
It's authors expect IL to go far toward
remedying the economic evils which
the progressive leaders OF all parties
agree have grown cup under a pro-
/ tective system.
More than that the Democratic
leadership has conceived and has
passed through the House a currency
bill that has met opposition only from
the interests that need reforming.
There Is still a difference of opinion
as to details of this legislation among
many sincere advocates OF new ma
tional banking system. but this is not
the opposition that has to be con-
tended with.
Before Congress plunges into the
long legislative program of the ses-
sion, II will dispose of currency The
Senate viii meet night and day until
vote is had and such a vote is con-
fidently promised within six weeks at
the outside. This Will clear the tracks
for the other big work now scheduled.
Ahead of all else will come the anti
trust bills. In each house a dozen or
more of them are already pending. They
have come from DemocTatic, Republ-
can and Bull Moose sources. They are
Just now resting quietly in the respcc-
tive committees. ready to be brought
out for consideration as soon as the
President reads his message on Tuesday
and in il outlines his policy
Committees to Lose No Time.
The committees of the House and
Senate will not wait for the final vote
on the currency bill before they pro-
ceed with the consideration Of anti.
trust legislation. They will be prepared
10 report out measures by the time
pending bills are out of the way and
tile debate may begin at once
II Is the hope of Democratic leaders
that the currency bin can be disposed
OF in the Senate by the end Of Decem-
bcr and can be completed by both houses
of Congress and signed by the President
in January. In anticipation Of this re-
suit, the plans for antitrust legislation
win be taken up this week by President
Wilson in conferences with Representa-
tive Clayton, Senator Ncwlands and
other members Of the judiciary and in
terstate commerce committees of the
two houses.
The administrations purpose is TO lay
stress upon the proposed strengthening
Of the antitrust laws from the outset.
It Is intended to have the general plan
Of action laid out in advance Of the
opening of the subject in House and
Senate.
Currency and antitrust legislation
are not the only reforms TO be dealt
with at this session. There are prom
ised many measures OF widespread i'm
lportance, some TO which the party plat
form is committed; others il is not.
l A big new issue will be pressed when
Chairman Moon of the House postoiiices
committee, introduces the Lewis bill pro-
viding for government ownership of the
telephone and telegraph facilities Of the
country. This has not -et assumed the
character Of an administration measure
and viii not unless Postmaster General
Burleson incorporates favorable xecom.
mendation of it in his annual report To
Congress.
Whether OF not this Recommendation
Is made, the support which the proposal
already has received and the able cham.
pions who are ready to push IL will max,
IL leading question before both houses
Big Bills on Calendar.
On the calendar. to, will appear th
following measures;
The Newlands River Regulation an
Food Control bill. which carries an ap
preparation Of S600O00,000.
| The Sutherland commissions recon
mendations for a workingmen's comper
sation act.
| Conservation legislation involvir
| Federal control of watcr-power sites.
Amendments to the Panama Canal az
affecting free tolls for American shil
ping and the organization of the cani
government.
Many other general measures are I
be urged. Some OF them will grow OF
OF the lobby investigation, out of Il
West Virginia coal-striSe inquiry an
out of the various investigations OF Il
! present high cost of living Some wi
become party bills, but others will ha'
no partisan character.
Important projects to be taken up
Congress early in the year and that w
divide attention with the antitrust bill
includes Further regulation OF RAILROAD
as to rates and stock issues; Cover
ment owned railroads for Alaska; reg
lation of trading in cotton and gra
futures; Federal aid for vocational ed
cation: establishment OF system
! rural land hanks independence of {
Philippines; constitutional amendme
] for women's suffrage; regulation
working conditions for merchant sailor
legislation to promote safety at sea. a
establishment oi a Federal armor-ma
ing plant
As an addition to all this will col
the annual budget of appropriation
These appropriations always invol
more or less general legislation. I
two.battleship fight is TO be repeats
usual army questions are to come
and the conflict between the advocai
Of Federal aid for roads and Fede
aid for rivers and harbors will he
newed Those propositions are cntr
ly aside irom the necessity OF app
lpTiatln2 more than $1,000 .0u0D00