The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1914-01-22
WILL TRY TO END
CONGRESS BY JUNE
NATIONAL LAWMAKERS WANT TO "
BE FREE TO TAKE PART s
IN CAMPAIGN. :
THE MEASURES NOW PENDING
Survey of Important Bills to Come UR
Alaska Railroad Bill Certain
to Pass Senate on
Thursday.

Washington, Jan. 20.-Congress has
much business to transact before it
undertakes consideration of antitrust
legislation and it is the aim Of Demo-
cratic leaders to shorten the session
as much as possible.
With the congressional campaign
coming next fall and the Republicans
and Progressives already active, the
majority leaders ere insistent that all
legislative business be disposed of be-
fore July lst at the latest, in order
that every man can be in his district
TO fight for retention of a Democratic
majority in both houses of the next
congress.
Sensational Contests Pending.
The fact that senatorial contests I'm.
der the direct elections amendment to
the constitution are pending in many
states, makes the situation more ur-
gent from a campaign standpoint.
President Wilson as a leader of the
dominant party, is as eager as the
chieftaDs in congress to limit the ses-
sion as much as possible and all are
pulling together to expedite legislative
matters. Conferences on a legislative
program will be held in the near fu-
.ure.
1t is practically certain %appropria-
ton bills and many other important
matters will be out of the way before
the trust program is ready. Among
the most important measures pending
are the Alaska railroad bill. which will
pass the senate neXt Thursday; rural
credit legislation, to be undertaken by
the banking and currency committee
soon; regulation of stock exchanges as
proposed in the Owen bill. upon which
public hearings are TO begin February
4; and the Panama canal tolls ques-
ton, which will come up in a joint
resolution introduced by Representa-
tive Adamson, chairman of the inter-
state and foreign commerce committee
which would suspend conditionally for
two years the provision of the Panama
canal act granting free passage to
American coastwise vessels.
Bill Up This Week.
> iAc Aldohdu lulliOdu Jill anu tHS
agricultural extension bill will occupy
the attention OF the senate most Of
this week. The Alaskan bill, which
was urged by the president in his last
message, and would provide for a gov.
ernment-built and operated railroad
into the interior of the territory, is
certain to pass. Senator Chamberlain
secured unanimous consent for a vote
on Thursday.
There is little opposition to the bill,
and the house already has the same
subject under consideration to be TAX
en- up again Wednesday. With the
Alaskan bill out of the way, Senator
Smith of Georgia will press the agri-
cultural extension bill, which would
provide ultimately an annual appro.
priation Of $4,000. 600 to be expended
through the state agricultural col
leges in educating the farmers of the
country On advanced agricultural lines.
An amendment to increase the ulti-
mate appropriation to $ 5000, 600, Offer
ed by Senator Simmons of North Caro-
lima, is pending.
A caucus of house Democrats on the
question Of creating a house commit
tee on suffrage is being agitated by
some OF the western members.