The Taney County republican., 1914-01-22
A Safe or Stormy Session?

taken, by the present Congress, which
is now practically beginning its first
regular session, Legally this session
began with the close Of the long spe-
cial one on the first Monday in De-
cember, but in point of fact the in
terval between that date and the holi'
day recess was devoted wholly to dis
cussion Of the banking and currency
billin one branch, and in the other, TO
waiting for a return Of that measure, as
amended, for concurrence. Fewer
bills were introduced in the House
during the time between the special
session and the legal opening Of the
regular session than we had anticip'
ated. The entire period was one OF
comparative inaction in the House, a
body which, il truth must be plainly
spoken, has shown less Of initiative
than any national House Of Represent
atives within recent memory.
1t may be too early, however; 10
pass such judgment upon that body,
With what is the real opening of its
first regular session, it may both in the
majority and minority, rise to its oppor'
tunities in better fashion. For the
Democratic majority in the Senate, as
we'll as in the House, considerable
work appears to be already cut out as a
result OF White House conferences held
before the presidents departure for
Pass Christian. The substance Of these
measures, in rough draft, have lately
been made public. We may assume
that that the president has been giving
the plans consideration during his vaca-
ton. OF one of them we have already
taken occasion to speak favorably. 1t
can not be said Of any one of the plans
given out that it shows evidence Of
crudeness or want Of thinking in pre-
paration. II additional antitrust legi-
station is 10 be undertaken at this
time, with the earnest purpose ofreach-
ing and correcting the undoubted evils
to be found in oppressive combinations
for the control Of trade, and Of prices,
the administration bills are not to be
condemned, off hand, or for any spe-
cfe reason it would be easy 10 name.
But we imagine the president to be
now on the edge Of the greatest sur
prise Of his White House career, il
some OF his more immediate counsel
ors have not prepared him for what
is now about to happen. Scores OF
Democratic members Of Congress who
have gone with the administration in
crying for law against tariff duties as
the cause Of high prices, will not 20
with it TO the definite, practical point
Of reaching high prices at their many
sources, nearly all OF which are now
we'll charted and located. Whether
their attitude be for POLITICAL or fnan-
cial reasons, the president will find
many Of them seemingly changed.
The trail is getting to hot, and it is
leading too straightly 10 the actual
lairs Of monopoly and extortion. Al
ready the cry is being raised by many
Democrats in Washington that enough
has been done in the passage OF new
tariff and banking laws, and that it is
time 10 stop specializing and turn
attention to the ordinary affairs oI
government" Just what these are is
not explained. The phrase suits well
the purpose Of its makers, whether Oh
not il serves il. The crisis is one which
will put to real test that strength o.
purpose in the president Of which We
have heard so much. The party pres
sure upon him to stop before anything
toward reducing living costs has beer
done, will test his mettle. Floods O
trust regulation bills will be introduced
but the party organization in bott
houses can easily dispose Of all bu
such as many have the force OF The
administration behind them. Til,
president will be importuned for tht
ends Of economy in expenditure a
being now the paramount issue. l
will be very interesting to watch hoV
he meets this test. II he meets it a
all, the session will be stormy one
II he fails 10 meet it, the session vii