Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1913-02-17

ARE PREPARED TO ACT
United States Viewing Conditions in
Southern Republic With Keen
Scrutiny-Will Protect People.

Washington, Feb. 17.-With the
shadow of possible Mexican inter-
vention lowering over Congress-.
general legislative activity in both
houses has come practically to a
standstill. No Immediate, need to
take up the question of warlike
moves against Mexico is anticipated,
but both houses of Congress are pre-
pairing to receive the issue should it
be thrust upon them in the remain
ing days of the Taft administration
or after the new congress comes into
bearing on March 4th.
1t has been determined that there
will be no more general legislation
of an important nature before ad-
iournment. One more problem was
handed over to the new administra-
ton last week when the House Ju-
dietary committee decided to take no
action on the six-year presidential
term resolution. This had passed
the senate by the narrow margin of
one vote, and promised heated con-
troversy had the judiciary commit
tee given the House a chance to
consider it.
Most of the other debated ques-
tions also have been lifted out OF
this Congress by the events of last
week, and the remaining time will
be devoted to appropriation bills and
minor legislation.
An attempt in both houses tc re-
pass the "hteracy test" immigration
bill over President Taft's veto will
mark the opening Of the week, and
the friends of the measure in the
Senate and House express confidence
that it will receive a two-thirds ma
iority and become law, notwlth-
standing the Presidents disapprov-
al.
Senate Republicans who mapped
ont "legislative program at the
caucus Saturday have little hopes
that any of the bills recommended
for passage will 60 through at this
session, the railroad physical :valu-
alton bill being the only one endors-
ed bv the caucus which is believed
To have the slightest chance. That
measure is still before. the Senate
committee, where hearings are being
held. Should it pass the Senate lte
would be so altered from the form
of the original house bill that con-
ference committee would be neces-
sarv to adjust the differences, a
task that might prove impossible OF
completion before adjournment
The House is expected to take no
cognizance of the program laid out
bv the Republicans of the Senate
The latter have determined to con-
contrate their efforts upon the ply
.;o.1 valuation bill, tariff commls-
s;on bill not yet prepared, the La
Eo,lette legislative eight-houY bill
sou women workers in the District OF
Co,,mh;a and the Crawford anti-'n-
.;nnction bill. Success for any one
of +base measures in the House al
this late stage of the session is prac-
tica,ly impossible, according to lead
mo men in that body. :,
MEXICAN affairs have figured mucf
IN the undercurrent of Congressional
talk during the week, but the mem
hers who keep in closest touch W.T.
the foreign affairs of the unAteo
States have declined to be drawn
into any advocacy of American inter
vention. The large majority IN
both houses are opposed to any ag
cressive action by the United States
under present conditions that wou!'
involve this country in a strueep
that could not end until peace 'a
been established in Mexico.
This subject is expected to be on
of the heritages of President WI
sons administration. The Democrat
are preparing to meet any develop
ments.
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