The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-03-18
OTHER SUBJECTS THAN TARIFF.

As indicsting the progressive influ-
ence OF the Presidency in legislative
activities in this country, 1T is stated
from Washington that the pressur- be
ing brought to bear upon President vii.
son TO open up for the action OF the
extra session of Congress subjects
other than tariff, such a. the currency
question, Philippine independence,
Panama canal tolls. and other measures
arc cited. II is true that in way the
extra session OF Congress would be
influenced quite naturally and prop
erly. primarily bv the terms OF the call
which convokes it. but il is we'll recog
pized that Congress, when it comes into
session, can take up any question It
chooses, precisely ss the extra session
of 1909 took up many other questions
than the tariff, although called into
extra session specifically to consider
the tariff question, And this extra sys-
sion viii necessarily take up appropria.
tions that failed at the session which
closed March ith
The peculiar and growing influence
Of the President upon the action of
Congress is seen not necessarily in the
terms OF the call which President vii.
son now makes for the extra session of
Congress that is to come, so much as
in the general admission that his de-
sires will govern in the measures which
that Congress may take up. Thus. il is
generally conceded that although the
assembling Of Congress sets that body
free to act upon anything that it may
sec fit to consider, it is conceded that
the coming special session Will not act
beyond the wishes of President vii.
son. Therefore, the pressure comes pri.
marily upon him to open up the CUES.
tions which Congress will feel itself
at liberty TO discuss and act upon; and
this he Will OF course do in his message
to the extra session on its assembling.
In view of the present feeling OF
the country, there will be undoubtedly
a genuine demand for the consideration
Of the currency question, as we'll as OF
the Panama toll question. To be sure,
ii would be quite competent for Con
gress TO take up and consider these
questions, even though the call for its
assembling might in terms limit its ac
tiou 10 the tariff: but unless there is
eithe. expressed in the call or under
stood as between the President and the
managers. n consent on
the part Of President Wilson 10 take
no these other questions. it is assumed
that they will not be taken up. And
his is the significant sign Of the times
Is TO the control of the President over
he action OF Congress,
And now that the official call for |
he extra session has been issued. it |
S seen that ii is so general that any |
natter which Congress sees fit to take |
~ can be taken up without any sort |
# restriction. We believe tins is the |
'est form In which the call could have
Lppeared, and we believe that ii sig
lifies complete agreement between
PRESIDENT Wilson and the leaders of |
us party IN Congress as to what shall |
'e taken up and disposed Of at the
Ntra session. The demand for a short |
ession is voiced. and will probably
AVE Influence, since the Democrats
ave had 4 long time in which to pre-
are their tariff bills and to get TO-
.ether on other questions of public in.
crest. This thorough preparation will
nablc whatever business is taken I'D
o be specded in unusual degree. ana |
he expectation Of short session is a
on eona hle npa