The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-09
Suffrage Problem Over
looked in Rush of
Other Business.
BUT SENATE CAN'T
GET AWAY FROM 1T
Resolution Providing for Con-
stitutional Amendment Will Be
Called Up To-Day-Vote
Not Likely, as Several
Senators Wish to De-
liver Speeches.

Washington, February S.--With their
minds preoccupted with Immigration
problems. trust legislation, treaty OBJ
legations and President Wilson's de-
termination for reversal of policy on
tho Panama tolls question. admins
tration leaders In Congress had almost
forgotten that they are face to face
with the equal suffrage question.
Tomorrow. however. tho resolution
10 provide for g. constitutional amend
ment. extending suffrage to women is
first on the calendar OF business in the
senate, and, there being no unfinished
business before that body. the resolu-
tion will 90 called up Senator As
hurst. who Is guiding tho destinies of
the resolution, does not expect 1T TO
come 70 vote. because several Senators
served him with notice some time ago
that when the subject did como up they
would like to discuss II.
Votes Not Expected Now.
II know that rho suffrage resolution
will be before us Tomorrow" said
Senator Ashurst tonight, but j do not
think II will be voted on, az several
Senators wish to debate it, If they
give notice tomorrow that they want
time to prepare their speeches, the
resolution will go over. / am quite
certain. however, that the Senate will
session, at any rate
Senator Ashurst will be on the alert
when the calendar is reached to-mor
row. If, by any chance, there are no
objections TO Immediate consideration
of the suffrage resolution. il m;S be
put upon its passage. Several weeks
ago. the resolution was reported when
no one was expecting lit. and the Arl-
z6:ti Senator reached the Senate cham
ber Inss In time to speak on tho sub
ject himself and ask that IL be re-
served for future action.
Initiative action on the repeal of the
section of the Panama Canal act.
eNempting American coastwise ships
from tolls. is expected during the COM
ing week the Presidents purpose in
the matter now being thoroughly y
derstood by administration leaders
Whether the President will read a
special message to Congress on the
subject has not been determined, but.
whether he does or not bill to re-
peal the toll exemption section Is now
being prepared. Though the proposed
repeal is certain to provoke vigorous
opposition there is n strong under
current of sentiment among Democrats
who voted for toll exemption, that re
peal OF the law will be wise from the
standpoint of foreign relations. There
is no ioubt about the repeal carrying
In the House, and opposition I'm the
Senate is expected to narrow down as
the debate progresses.
Immigration Uppermost.
In addition to the antitrust legisla-
tive program, the issue uppermost In
Congress at present is immigration,
and. though the Burnett bill. with its
restrictive literacy test already has
passed the House, the issue Is by no
means out OF the way. The Senate
Il H. k-1- II
mined upon daily sessions until II has
finished Its deliberations. That there
is to be n fight over the literacy test
Is certain, and a modification OF the
| restrictive provisions Is expected.
The bills for the antitrust legislation
program are far from complete. Hear
ings OIL them will continue before
House committees during the week.
and a conference with President Will
son, relating to them is being urged
by some OF the Democratic leaders
Tomorrow Frederick Straus, OF New
York, who was member of former
President Taft's commission on railway
capitalization. will appear before the
House Committee on Interstate Com
merce to discuss the proposed bill for
Federal control of railroad securities.
The Judiciary Subcommittee plans to
confer with President Wilson on the
tentative outline of n measure to reg
has been drafted which would not pro-
hibit all forms OF holding corporations.
hut would prohibit the acquisition by
holding companies of stock in COM
pcting concerns. Representatives Clay
ton. Carlin and Floyd. of the Judiciary
subcommittee. were impressed last
week, by the testimony OF officials of
the Gulf Refining Company. a
Texas corporation. Officials of that
concern testified that they had no rela-
tions of any kind with the Standard
Oil Company, hut submitted that hold
ing corporation was absolutely essen
tiai to their competition against q So
called monopoly"
On RurnI Credits.
Hearings on rural credits Legislation
will be continued before the House
Subcommittee on Banking and Cur
rency. Conferences between the Pres
ident, Representative Bulkely. chair
man Of the subcommittee; Majority
Leader Underwood, of the House, and
Senator owen. chairman OF the Senate
committee. resulted In the determine
tion to press for early passage the bill
which will be framed by the committee
Joint hearings by the Senate and House
committees probably Will be arranged,
but an effort will be made to have the
bill before the House by April I.