The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-02-11
have MUCH TO DO
LEADERS In CONGRESS HAVE
But few IDLE MOMENTS
FACE Big PROBLEMS

Many Important Questions Have to
be Decided Before Congress Can
Adjourn to Allow Members to At
tend to Their Reelection Fights
Hasty Legislation Ill Advised.
Extension Of arbitration treaties
and a general clearing up of the ma
tons foreign relations and anti
trust legislation and rural credit en-
hancement through the establishment
of land mortgage banks for farmers;
legislation authorizing the govern
ment to build or purchase railroad
in Alaska, and revision Of the immi-
grafton laws, now appear as the main
guide posts for administration lead
ers in the course Of the present ses-
sion of congress.
Though many other subjects are
being pressed by Democrats for con-
sideration, leaders OF the dominant
party realize that new administra-
ton can not reform the whole sta
tutory structure of the government.
in day. To complete their pro-
gram, they appreciate that continua-
tion of party supremacy of Demo
cratic senate and house next fall is
more important than long session
Of congress choked with hastily con-
sidered legislation. President Wilson
is known to share this view.
Increasing the necessity for early
party activity is the 18th constitu-
tional amendment which, for the first
time in the history Of the govern
ment, commands the people to elect
their own United States senator's
Hence the Senate can not as of old
sit content in Washington while
members Of the House strain to gel
into their home districts.
So with the congressional cam
paign rapidly approaching the men
who guide the destinies of legislation
already have sharpened their prun-
ing hooks and the pet measures OF
many loyal Democrats must fall. Be-
sides regular departmental legislation
and the supply bills, some of the sub
jects being urged for action are:
Equal suffrage, through constitu-
tional amendment; prohibition Of the
liquor traffic; law to guarantee
bank deposits; government regula-
tion of stock exchanges, and many
others. June / having been set as
the probable date Of adjournment,
the party leaders intend, as soon as
possible, to map out a program OF
work for the remainder Of the ses-
sion, and White House conferences
on this subject will probably be held
this week.
Renewal of arbitration with eight
foreign nations recommended for rat
ifcation by the foreign relations com
mittee last week, will occupy the at
tention OF the Senate during the
week, after the passage Of the agri-
cultural extension bill. The treaties
that have expired are with Great
Britain, Japan, Italy, Spain, Norway,
Sweden; Portugal and Switzerland,
President Wilson has urged their ex-
tension as soon as possible as the
ground work for a general readjust-
ment of foreign affairs. Considerable
discussion is inevitable, but ratifca-
ton Of the treaties is confidently an
ticipated by party leaders.
Involved in the treaty question will
be the Panama tolls dispute with
Great Britain and the California alien
controversy with Japan. The admin
istration seems to regard the latter
as practically settled, but with the
ratification of the British arbitration
treaty there will follow some action
in congress on the subject Of canal
tolls either through repeal of the Sec
ton of the Panama canal act which
exempts American coastWise ships
from tolls, or by suspension Of that
provision for period of years.
Consideration Of trust bills and
their perfection will continue during
the week before committees Of both
houses. Hearings will begin on Sem
ator Owens bill to prohibit the use
of the mails and telegraph and tele-
phone lines for fraudulent or harmful
stock exchange transactions; and the
Senate will dispose Of the contest
over the seating Of Frank P. Glass to
succeed the late Senator Johnson OF
Alabama. House leaders are bending
every effort to clear the legislature
slate in time for the proposed June
adjournment. Democrats and Repub-
licans are in accord so far as the de-
STABILITY Of getting through early is
concerned.
immigration legislation will have
the right of way this week in the
House. The Burnett bill, featured by
the literacy test which has aroused
considerable opposition, will be taken
up again. A conference with the
president on the subject has been
ordered by the immigration commit
tee.
Perplexing problems of the battle
ship program, ratification Of the big
Norfolk dry dock project, government
construction Of armor and fuel oil
producing plants, and the Inaugural
ton of the grade of vice admiral are
up to the House naval affairs commit
tee for consideration in the near fu-
ture.