New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-31
SENATE MAJORITY
TO CURTAIL BILLS
Deficiency Measures Like
ly to Start Congressional
DiSSenSiOn.
From The Tribune bureau D

Washington, Aug. 3O-For a second
time within two months the Demo
Gratis Of the Senate Will meet Wednes-
day 20 map out legislative pro
gramme for the remainder OF the SEES
sion Of Congress. Since the begin
ming of the war. which necessitated
the passage OF emergency measures,
no plan of action has been followed
and the majority leaders have been
more or less at sea.
The Senate Democratic caucus will
make an effort 10 delimit the work
ahead Of Congress. The railroad Sc
curities bill, which was part OF the
antitrust programme. will be aban-
doned and, in view Of the falling of
in revenue. IL is probable that the
river and harbor bill will be dropped
and q small appropriation TO continue
work on existing projects approved.
Discussions will probably be stirred
up over the question of a revenue
measure TO make up for the deficiency
in customs receipts. Southern Demo
Gratis are fighting a tobacco tax and
Democrats generally dislike the idea
Of passing an emergency tax measure
on the eve of a campaign. II is ex-
pected that the President will send
in his message on the subject next
week
In the Senate conference is to be
held this week for consideration OF the
legislative programme. While the con-
ference primarily is 10 determine upon
war revenue measure 10 offset losses
in revenue due TO the war, some as
poets Of the foreign relations OF The
nation. with particular reference to the
Far East, may be considered.
Philippine exports are giving the ad-
ministration concern just at this time
because of the conflict between Japan
and Germany. A plan to place a ban
on all exports from the islands except
10 the United States while the war in
Europe continues is under considera-
ton II is argued that should ship
ments from the Philippines to Germany
or Austria be captured by the Japanese
an embarrassing situation might arise.
Administration Senators who have
been studying the situation believe that
IAN ounce Of prevention is worth a
pound of cure" and they are urging
action by Congress TO avert trouble
which might be pTecipitated through
Philippine commerce. They recognize
however. that if the commerce Is
stopped some provision must be made
20 compensate for losses that Will fol-
low.
The general subject Will be dis
cussed with the President when he re-
turns from his brief vacation trip to
Cornish. ~ H., early in the week.
The slump in customs receipts be-
cause of the war has made a spe-
cial internal revenue tax urgently
necessary. The President probably
will address Congress on the subject
during the week. Already bill Is
under preparation. and the Democratic
conference will discuss it fully. Pres
ent indications are that the tax will
be confined to beer, domestic wines and
patent medicines.
A conference agreement on the adj
ministration war risk marine insur-
ance bill also is expected soon. The
bill probably will be signed and in
force before the week ends. Complet-
inc the administration plans for reliev-
ing present emergencies due to the
war and for inaugurating a permanent
American merchant marine, the ship
purchase proposal Will be actively
pressed. The House Naval Commit
tee, however. VIII discuss with the
President a proposal to substitute an
increased naval auxiliary programme
for the projected private shipping
company under government control
and with the government rs majority
stakeholder.