The Washington times., 1914-08-30
INFERENCE To MAP
SEKATE'S PROGRAM
Democrats Are Summoned to
Washington for Meeting
Wednesday.

The legislative program for the ses-
sion is expected to take something like
definite shape this week. The confer
ence of Democratic Senators. which Is
expected TO begin Wednesday, will con-
slider a legislative program. will talk
over what measures are to be side
tracked. and may be able to come 10
some conclusion as to Adjournment.
though the leaders in Congress, as d
matter Of fact, are dependent as to ad-
Journment on the orders of the White
House almost entirely.
The Senate Democrats who are out OF
Inc city have been wired to return hy
senator Lewis, and a large attendance
IS expected at the conference, which
may run through two or three days.
That the railroad securities bill will
he d'tched for this session is regarded
as foregone conclusion. The Pres
DENT several days ago, indicated he
was willing to let il go over, and that
was taken as a sign that il had been
oecreed 10 postpone action on II. The
Senate Democratic conference is likely
10 go through the motions of ratifying
a decision already reached on this
question.
Campaign by Railroads.
The reasons for letting the railroad
securities bill go over are not far to
seek Since the decision in the advanced
rate case, the railroads have been in
sisting strongly that the increases AL
lowed would DO no good TO them, and
that they must have higher rates and
q concerted movement is on to inlpel
Congress to put through a resolution
directing the Interstate Commerce
ern territory. !
Congress is being bombarded with |
kilograms from bankers in many parts |
OF the country to take such a step. It |
Is obvious that Congress will not do 1t. |
nevertheless, the agitation has a ten
dency to weaken tie movement 20 BASS !
'eg1slation for Government control at |
mis- time Of railroad securities.
The Democratic caucus already has
gone on record for the pork barrel" |
changes its mind, the Senate Democrats
WIZ try to force this bill through the |
Upper mouse as soon as the Clayton |
on Is out of the way. The opposition. |
Cd By Senators Burton. Kenyon. Nor
rs ard others, will put Up a hard fight |
against the measure
II remains to be seen whether the
senate Democrats will be willing. while
ralsins war taxes. to pass a rivers ana
harhors measure widely denounced as
4 pork barrel proposition. II Ia
argued by Senators opposed to the bill
that If II were dropped. and only i'm
feratlve river and harbor projects taken
are OF. there would be little or no need
for the raising of war revenues.
War Taxes Up to Congress. /
The question of what kind of war
taxes TO impose will come up at the
conference. Southern Senators Will
block tax on tobacco and probab blv
prevent the raising Of more revenue on
whisky.
Shipping legislation will demand con-
sloeration, and especially the situation
caused by the protests Of foreign ma
tlons against purchase of ships of
oelIlserents and their conversion to
american registry, either by the CIV
'rnn,ent Ilfnt or by private parties.
such protests promise to leave this
ountry little room for the expansion OF
ne merchant marine. They will not OF
course. prevent entrance into American
eglstry of vessels already American
'Mned, but flying foreign flags
The Administration and the Demo-
Tatlc leaders are worrying over the Far
kastern situation caused by the war
between Germany and Austria and Ja-
pan. Apprehension that IT may involve
he Philippines is felt at The White
House. and the President has asked
mat the Senate may be held together
10 CONSIDER any questions that arise
rom this source. if necessary. Ques-
ions involving neutrality and bringing /,
- -A-iiS - al i'4 l0tSIlONS OF
7nance, and other matters OF an emer-
Eency nature are likely to arise in
cute fashion at any time.
though there is still much talk of ad-
.ournment BY October l, ii is entirely i'll
1ehntte. The European war constantly
-aises new problems. and II cannot be
.oretold what may confront Congress
: week or two weeks hence. Conse-
}uently. the adjournment situation is in
ne air. and nobody knows how long il |,
Ttll remain so.