New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-12
CONGRESS WHEELS
TO GRIND AGAIN
LEGISLATORS Will Resume
Their Tasks day, but
with Reluctance.
TRUST PROBLEM
MOST IMPORTANT
Numerous Big Measures Pressing
but Private Bills Will Have
Little Chance.
From The tribune bureau ,

,Frem The Tribune Bureau
! WASHINGTON. Jan. 1.-THE wheels OF
/ Congress will begin TO grind again TO-
morrow. II is probable that they VIII
emit sroans and crcaks as they turn SLOW
! " for time. for Senators and Represent
stives who have enjoyed 10 the utmost
their short vacation after the long labors
Of the extra secession. are returning 10
their tasks with reluctance and with
marked disposition TO reduce legislative
/ activity 10 a minimum.
The trust problem is the most important
that will he presented 10 Congress. Many
Senators. both Democrats and Republ-
cans. believing that the country shouiu
be given time 10 adjust Itself to the cur
rency and tariff laws. prefer 10 let t"e
trusts alone for the present
The Senate will devote Itself early 10
the Alaskan railroad bill Although the
Indications appear 10 be that II VIII pass
in one form or another. there is so much
opposition to the government ownership
idea. particularly among Southern Sens-
tors. that the measure may be defeated
Senators will also give their attention 70
the problem that has arisen as a resui'
OF the adoption cf the constitutional
amendment providing for the popular
election OF Senators. The controversy
arising out Of the election OF blair Lee
TO succeed Senator Jackson, OF MaryIanu'
TO ill the unexpired term Of the late SEN
ator Rayner. will be disposed OF. and the
law prescribing the method OF holding
elections in the future will be passed.
tionaI education will be taken up in the
Senate. if not in both houses. Good ROADS
will also he discussed TO some extent at
least.
Another measure which will receive Sc
rous attention by the Senate is the owen
bill. providing for establishing a leglsia-
tive reference bureau in the Library OF
Congress which will aid legislators IN
shaping measures and drafting them III
such a manner that they will meet the
test OF the courts Senator Root strongly
urged a bureau OF this kind in the last
session Of Congress. and the bill will
receive the support Of both parties
Economy in appropriations and anti
trust legislation are the chief problems
10 be met first in the House. An econ
omy conference" OF House leaders has
been held, and similar conferences are 10
follow. but there is little prospect OF get
ting around another billion dollar session
The government departments. headed by
Democrats have submitted estimates
which must be pruned ruthlessly il the
charge OF "the most extravagant session
is 20 be avoided.
In view Of the pressure OF fourteen ap-
preparation bills and the antitrust meas
ures the House will have little time. UNI
less the session is protracted far into the
summer, 10 devote to private bills, with
which the calendars are now crowded.
This fact brings worry to the average
Democrat, who must return empty hand
ed TO his district TO face the campaign OF
next summer. and to make excuses for
his failure TO obtain the passage of legis-
lation desired by his constituents.
During the extra session no House COM
mittees were permitted TO report out bills.
and currency and the tariff sidetracked
all other legislation. Regulation of the
trusts and appropriation bills will now
take the right of way, to the exclusion
of less pressing matters.
The antitrust bills have been prepared
by sub committee of the judiciary Com
mittee, and are awaiting the perusal and
approval of the President, who recently
outlined his views TO the committee men,
bers.
The economists of the House are pre-
pared to present a solid front against
three pork barrel committees. There
,Har ffr
good roads bill, now being framed by the
newly created Committee on Roads. The
Public Buildings Committee and the
Rivers and Harbors Committee are insist
ing on the privilege OF reporting bills, but
the House leaders are determined that
the authorizations for public buildings
and river and harbOr improvements shall
be confined 10 continuing work on exist
ing projects and that no new project shall
be authorized this session. An attempt
also will be made to check the Roads
Committee and to coddle the good roads
movement along without digging into the
Treasury at this time.
Representative Adamson has introduced
a resolution to suspend for two years the
operation Of the free tolls provision of
the Panama Canal act, and this course
may be determined upon to give time for
the settlement of diplomatic differences
and To decide whether the canal will be
self-supporting without the tolls from
American ships in the coastwise trade.
The general impression at the Capitol
is that the session should not continue
beyond July. Members of both houses
have had no real rest during the last
twelve months. Campaigns for re-elec
ton are already under way, and there is
concerted desire among legislators to
expedite the business of the session and
get away before midsummer