Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-02-12
cUMMlNS AND LAFOLLETTE
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
Give Hope OF Progress
sive Program Being Formulated -
Indicates That Republicans Are Get
ting Together IN Reorganization
Plans-SpeIls Party's Doom.
rsnecial Correspondence

committee consisting or Senators
oliver, Cummins, Root, Smoot and La
Toilette, there will probably be recon-
mended to the senate republicans an
important program of progressive leg
islation.
The committee has held no meeting
thus far but there is strong dis
position among it's members to urge
that the republicans get together on
certain important measures that
ought to be passed, as many believe,
this session.
limo to Do Something.
The progressive republicans on the
committee. in fact most OF the senate
republicans feel that this is time
for legislative achievement, that the
country wants progressive laws ana
that it is time for the republican party
to be I'D and doing in respect to law
making.
Much in a political way is likely to
depend on what the legislative COM
mittee recommends and what the re-
publican caucus decides. 1t is expected
the committee vii! recommend pro-
gram and submit it to the caucus 1or
endorsement. The country is likely 10
keep a sharp eye on this program. II At
is reactionary, the progressive repuo-
licans the country over Will speeuii!
draw the conclusion that it is going to
be almost impossible to draw the oid
guard republicans in congress from the
paths of conservatism or reaction. On
the other hand, if it is progressive tie
progressive republicans of the country
will take encouragement therefrom.
Progressiv.s Encouraged.
The naming of Cumnins and LaF'ol7
lette on the committee has given
good deal of encouragement to pro-
gresslve republicans in congress. Stlii'
thew feel they can draw no conclu-
sions until it is known what the cau-
Gus does.
The time left in the present session
is short. But there are some import
ant bills which could be crowded thru
by vigorous effort. And If some OF
those which the republicans favor are
not passed this session, they will al
least gain advanced ground and be IN
better position for enactment IN the
next regular session: or, if they mees
democratic stumbling blocks. for sup
port as the senate republican pro-
gram.
The truth is that if the senate repuo-
licans find they can unite on an ad-
vanced program OF progressive leg'sia-
ton it will be taken in many quarters
as a sign that the real movement 1or
republican reorganization is on. The
outcome will be watched closely ny the
nolitical leaders of all parties at the
capitol.
Measures to BE Considered.
Among the measures which the re-
publican legislative committee and the
caucus will consider and which they
may agree upon are the bill for phys
ical valuation of railroads, compre-
llensive tariff commission BILL presl-
Dental primary bill, legislation to con-
troll the trusts and corporations ara
strengthen the Sherman Law, and legls-
lation to prevent the inferior federa'
courts issuing temporary injunct1ons
blocking state laws and administrative
orders Of states.
That the physical valuation bill VIII
be passed this session is considered
certain. Many Of the republicans want
to crowd thru comprehensive tarlH
commission bill. 1t is recognized tha'
the presidential primary measure ana
trust legislation are rather for the next
congress than the present one. strong
feeling exists in the senate for leglsia-
ton shearing the inferior FEDERAL courts
of the authority they assume to nullify
the acts of state legislatures and or
ders Of state administra tive officers
| and bodies in miscellsneou and sum
mary fashion.