The Washington times., 1914-05-24
CONGRESS MAY Be
BUSY ALL SUMMER
Some Leaders Place Adjourn
ment Date in AuguSt-0th-
ers Say September.
By JOHN SNURE.

By John SNURE-
Regardless OF talk about early ad-
Journment. the opinion of the best
Informed men at the Capitol is that
Congress is once more destined to sit
here through another summer.
Not long ago. July was given as
the probable date of adjournment
Then the date was moved ahead TO
July 10 or i5. Now, few members of
House or Senate have any expectation
Of quitting before August, and many
look for the legislative grind to con-
tinue until September l. Some of the
most pessimistic are predicting the
session will not end until October
Nothing but an extraordinary legis-
lative situation will keep Congress
here until September, but the signs
are that il will not be possible to get
away before the first week OF August
and perhaps the middle of that month.
Held Against Wills.
This is in the face of the fact that
members both Of the House and SEN
alto are being held here against their
Wills when they are anxious to go
home and look after campaigns for
denomination and reelection. This
anxiety is not confined to the men of
any one party. Political conditions
this year are chaotic and members
are COrrespondingly desirous OF re-
turning to their districts and States
HnG giving personal attention to cam
pslGns.
The obstacle which is looming up in
the way Of early adjournment is trust
legislation. The country has not for
years seen real fight in Congress over
The trust question IN all its broad
phases. Such a contest is in sight, how
'ver. When the trust bill or bills are
considered by the Senate, there will re-
sCt one Of the most extended and ami
mated, II not rancorous, debates which
the upper house has seen for many a
day Indications are that the debate
over repeal of free tolls will not hold
a candle TO the trust debate.
Democratic leaders are widely divided
over the wisdom Of passing trust legis-
lation at this session. Much doubt has
existed over the White House attitude
Lately, officials close to the -AdminIs-
traitor. have given II out that the Prcsi
dent wants trust legislation enacted.
That Is. he wants the program now be-
foro the House carried out in both
HouEe and Senate.
Opposed to Program.
" 10 no secret that many of the fore
most Democrats in Congress are ep-
posed TO any such program. Some of
them feel the time il ineppertune for
trust legislation that business cendi-
ions are not such as to make It wise to
keeT business unsettled by stirring UP
the trust question, Others feel that the
hills now before the House. in some
respects at least. are weak and useless.
and that II will be no credit TO the
Democratic party II II does pass them.
Another reason why there Is pressure
against enactment Of trust legislation Is
that the question Of exempting labor
organizations and organizations OF
farmers from the Sherman law, has
sarise:I, and presents an issue that is
politically embarrassing to many,
But In spite Of the desire of many
Democrats. and also of conservative
Republicans, to see no trust legislation
enacted this session, the indications are
that Congress will net adjourn until a
comprehensive trust program has been
put through. 1t will net be the set of
bills now before the House, either.
some Of the weaknesses in them have
already been Illuminated in striking
fashion. The Senate is more radical en-
the trust question than the House.
The House. through the caucus system,
rs largely dominated by the reaction
aries II VIII swallow the trust bills as
PRESENTED to 1t. a majority of the Dem
"rrstE in the House are willing to take
ruythina offered them, IL Il has, or
seems to have, the approval of the Ad-
rBinistratien and the leaders The re-
suit iE that the present House depate on
he trust bills Is perfunctory and use
'ess SO fsF GE reEultIns In amendment
GOES
Senate to Shape Bills.
TQ.usE L.,