Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-12-08

others OF the Progressive organization
| in the House members who will be re-
tired include the party leader. Victor
Murdoch of Kansas; NJ. Clyde Kelly, w.
J. Rulings and Henry w. Temple, all of
Penn; William j. Mcdonald of Michigan
and William H. Hinebaugh of Illinois.
| Leaders on all sides look forward to
| interesting developments over the Naval
and the Army appropriation bills because
of agitation resulting from the European
war. Representative Augustus p. Gard
ner of Massachusetts, has resolution
directing Congressional Investigation into
the military preparedness of the United
1 States for war.
The first calendar business before the
| House today was the cotton relief legis-
lation urged by Representative Henry of
! Texas, and others, who almost prevented
| adjournment of the last session by insist
| ing on 1t. The general understanding
among members of both Houses was that
President Wilson would press the bill for
government purchase of ocean stecm-
ships the measure to pave the way for
ultimate independence of the Philippines.
and the measures proposing compre-
hensive plan of dealing with water
way improvement and conservation of
natural resources.
| A general waterway will establish a
nationwide system of broad scope, which
as has been endorsed by committee of
the cabinet, will probably be urged.
Many other important subjects are
pending. Included in the list is the rural
credits bill prepared at the last session.
init 10
measure might not be pressed at the
short session, the view being that the
Federal Reserve system should be given
a chance to perfect itself before any 9TH
er financial legislation should be under
| taken. The immigration bill, which
failed at the last session with its liter
acy test, is pending in the Senate. Rep
resentative Hobson has begun to urge ac-
| ton on a resolution for a National Pro-
hibition Constitutional Amendment and
Constitutional Amendment to provide
for Woman Suffrage. Both are pending
/ in the House. Good roads legislation. re-
organization of the Civil Service and a
bill to regulate the output of radium also
| await action.
Foreign affairs are certain to occupy
attention of the Senate. The administra-
ton is said to desire action on the Mic
| araguan treaty, through which the Unit
ed States would acquire another inter-
oceanic canal route and naval station
rights in the Bay of Fonseca for 100000
1t also hopes for action on the pending
treaty with Colombia to settle the Pc
| tition of Panama for s25,0oo,oo0. Oppo-
sition to both treaties is promised by Re-
publicans of the Foreign Relations COM
mittee.
In preliminary discussions of appro-
priations the estimates for the new Fed
| eral Trade Commission to supervise the
business of Industrial corporations are
prominent The board will be organized
| in the near future. President Wilson has
| said he will appoint its five members
early in the winter. Lively debate also
| is expected over the rivers and harbors
appropriation bill, which has been under
| consideration ever since the old bill was
| flibustered to death in the last session
and blanket appropriation of $40. 100000
was substituted to carry on public works
already under way. In the main, how
ever, it is believed that chief attention
| will have to be given to the usual sup
ply bills of the government in order to
complete them before this Congress ends
by operation of law on March 4. next.