New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-14
Disappointment in Legis-
latiye Programme Held
Sure for President.
CONGRESS LEADERS
ARE NOT WORRYING
Senate Feels Administration Has
Placed Too Great a Bur-
den on 1t.
Iron IN. Tribun, Bureau J


week of the short session gone, the
Senate, which is just beginning 70
realize the task before it, has about
come TO the conclusion that II Will
not be able 70 shoulder the load placed
upon IL by the President. Az the same
time there is certain amount of
turbulence BY Democrats who bowed
10 the executive will during other ses-
sions Of Congress. Tho action OF the
Democratic caucus Of the Senate in
effect served notice upon the Presi-
dent that the Senate would do what
IL could, and that II the sdministrs-
ton measures aroused opposition they
would go by the board.
The demand for an investigation OF
national defences, which was throttled
in the House, ia one OF the difficulties
that lie in the way OF the achievement
of the Presidents purpose. Senator
Lodge. author Of resolution similar
TO that introduced in the House by
REPRESENTATIVE Gardner, will prooaDly
nut the question before the Senate
during the latter part OF tho week. IN
supporting the movement for an IN
quiry into the preparedness OF tne
United States for war he will have ad-
vantages which Mr.. Gardner DID NOT
possess-the testimony OF Rear AZ
mirsl Fletcher and Secretary Daniels
before the House Naval Committee
which revealed lamentable conditions
in the navy.
Immigration Another Thorn.
The immigration bill, now under
consideration, is another thorn In the
side Of the majority. President VIII
son has not mentioned immigration
nor the literscy test, but the debate
in the Democratic caucus indicated
that a number Of Southern Senators
are determined to bring it TO a vote.
Opposition to the literacy test has
been growing. and Senator O'Gorman
and others will fight it. Whether II
will be passed or not depends largely
upon the haste with which the Senate
acts. If so much time is occupied by
the fight over the safety at sea con-
yention as was suggested to-day by
one of the majority leaders appropria-
ton bills might intervene TO block
vote on the immigration measure and
save the President the embarrassment
of vetoing the bill
The Democrats, who are shoulder
ing their burden grudgingly, admit
frankly that the enactment OF the ad-
illustrations Philippine bill will de-
pend not only On the time 10 is re-
rorted out by the committee, but upon
The disposition Of the appropriation
Hills. The Philippines Committee will
begin hearings tomorrow. A suf-
ficient number of witnesses have been
summoned 20 insure the continuation
of these hearings long after the holi-
DAYS. II is doubtful whether IL can be
reported before the latter part of
January, but even this will not insure
final action on it. The preamble in
surfing the Filipinos ultimate indie
pendence will provoke discussion as be-
ing inopportune, and discussion of any
length in the present situation will be
fatal.
Trouble for Ship Purchase.
The course Of the ship purchase bill
is also strewn with difficulties. Many
Democrats are avowedly against 1t be-
cause il provides the opening wedge
for government ownership. Republi-
/
paign issue. II can and will be de-
bated extensively from various angles,
including neutrality. Although Sena-
tors Kern and Simmons are hoping
/ that IL may be passed, Republicans
predict that there are not enough votes
/ behind it TO put it through the Senate
even if il passes the House, where 1t
will also encounter trouble.
Appropriation bills can be passed in
a remarkably short time when the Sen
ate is of one mind, but under the pres
/ ent circumstances II is not of one mind,
/ except on the question of adjourning
/ for good on March d. What happens TO
the administration legislative pro-
gramme is not of much concern 10 the
| minority and of less concern 10 the
majority than it would have been
a twelvemonth ago. In the supply bills
| there are many items, such as a naval
programme, which will arouse long dis
/ cussion.
Congress has sixty-fve working days
before IT, Half this time could be cas-
/ ilv consumed by debate on the ship
purchase bill, which raises the ques-
ton of government ownership. Much
more could be consumed by discussion
of the Philippine bill. How all the
measures approved by the President
are 10 be put through is more than the
leaders can figure out.
But they are not worrying about il.
As a matter Of fact, there is sur
prisingly large number of Democrats
who say quite frankly that il Is their
purpose TO do what they think best
under the circumstance instead OF
taking their cue from the White House,
as Of old. The fact that the President
has urged certain legislation appears
to be Of much less consequence than
il was at the outset of the administra-
ton.
Spirit Of Insurgency.
II il almost a certainty that the
President will receive disappointment
at the hands of the hostile Senate.
which began 10 be insurgent when it
rejected the nomination OF Thomas w.
Jones to membership on the Federal
Reserve Board Since the elections
this spirit Of insurgency has been taken
so much for granted that il no longer
srouses curiosity. Tersely speaking,
the reply Of the Senate TO the Presi-
dents demand for legislation is: "If
we can, We will; II we can't. we should
worry"
There is a growing sentiment in the
/ mouse against tne proposal 10 under
take the government ownership of
/ ships Immediately following the pas
sage Of war revenue" bill which
levied taxes of 100,000.000 on the ma
ton. Representative Kitchin, of North
Carolina. who is slated 70 succeed Rep
resentstive Underwood as majority
leader, is one OF the strong members
opposed TO the ship-purchase measure.
/ His theory is that If the government
is 10 90 into the business OF trans
! nnrtinr freight IL should charter