The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1913-03-20
NEWS FROM OUR
NATIONAL CAPITAL
The Tariff Must Be Settled First
Says President

Washington.--No currency leg'sla-
tion or any other legislation VII be
taken up at the extra session Until
congress disposes of the tariff This
Is the position which President wilson
practically agreed upon, according TO
A. Mitchell Palmer of
Pennsylvania, chairman OF the De- p
cratic caucus, who discussed leC la
tion with him.
The president has been advised by
Representative Oscar Underwood. he
Democratic majority leader, as TO the
status OF the tariff bills being rr par
ed by the ways and means cor'r.tteo.
lie learned that the commit % was
making rapid progress, but that 1t
might not be ready on April /, the
date originally fixed for the opening
OF the new congress. Mr.. Underwood
thought at least week more should
be given to preparation. As IL was
on Mr.. Underwood's advice that Mr..
Wilson fixed upon April / there Is no
doubt that he will name later date
when issuing his proclamation.
Tlllman Loses His Hard Fight
Senator Tillman. of South Carolina,
lost his long. hard fight for the chair.
manship of the powerful senate com
mittee on appropriations. The Demo
cratic committee lists accords the APP
preparations chairmanship to Senator
Martin. of Virginia.
Radical changes In the method
controlling senate legislation and CO
mittees we're approved by the Den
cratic managers and will be offer
Cor adoption by the caucus. The
recommendation are:
All committee chairmen shall bo
elected by the Democratic members
OF the committee. The practice has
been for the steering committee TO
appoint all chairmen; n majority OF
the Democratic members Of any com.
mlttee may call meeting Of that
committee at any time.
Members OF conference commit
teos" shall be selected by the Demo
cratic majority OF the committee hav-
Ing charge OF tho legislation In ques.
tion.
Few Big Positions Filled Before April.
There will not be many appoint
ments before April /, II In now boliev'
ed here. The president and his cabin
ct find II IN safer TO run along for
time with the old hands on deck than
to change them all for men quite new
to their duties.
Then there In great deal OF en-
barrassment over making selections
from among the vast number OF appli'
cants Almost any state In the union
could furnish full quota OF officials
10 run the government with ease and
then have enough god men and true
to keep things from going TO smash
nj home. Indeed. many OF the states
are offering TO do just about that.
laFoliette Makes White House Call.
Senator La Toilette made his first
call at the White House In more than
and spent almost an hour with tho
president lie would make NO state
ment as 20 the purpose OF his visit.
but Il has been an open secret for days
that he was Invited TO souss legisla-
tive questions with the president
The conference was merely prelim'
mary TO Others 20 be held later. Other
progressive sOlntors viii be asked TO
the white house from time to time.
and the president hopes that y
OF them will fird n consistent o. q
up with the Democrats In passing leg
islation.
Appropriatlors ESceed One Billion.
Appropriations OF the last session OF
congress, including the sundry civil
and the lndl-n appropriation bill.
which are 10 be put through M the
coming extra session, aggregated a.
O9s. .647,9cO.
The annual statements given out by
Chairman Fitzgerald, Of the appropria-
tions committee. and by former Speak
er Cannon, for the Republicans, agree
on that total. Cannon adds, however.
that in addition to that amount. con
tracts authorized for public works
involve further expenditures OF s76.-
956.7l4.
National Capital Brevities.
President Wilson appointed Cover