The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-01-19
Situation Becoming Ur-
gent From Campaign
Standpoint.
HOPE TO SHORTEN
PRESENT SESSION
Retention of Democratic Control
in Both Houses Necessary to
Carrying Out of Administra-
ton Plans, and Fight
Must Be Made in
Many Districts.

Washington. January 1S.-Congress
it undertakes consideration of anti
trust legislation. concerning which
President Wilson will address it on
Tuesday, and 1t 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 are insistent that all
legislative business be disposed OF be-
fore July 1, at the latest In order that
every man can be In his district to
fight for rentention OF a Democratic
majority. in, both houses OF the next
Congress. The fact that senatorial con-
tests under the direct elections amend
ment to the Constitution are pending
in many States. makes the situation
more urgent from a campaign stand
point.
Eager to Limit Session.
President Wilson as the leader OF
the dominant party, is as eager as the
chieftains in Congress to limit the ses-
sion much as possible, and all are
pulling together to expedite legisia-
tive matters. Conferences on leBisia-
tive program will be held in the near
future.
1t is practically certain that appro.
priation bills and many other Import
ant matters Will be out of the way be-
fore the trust program Is ready.
Among the most important measures
pending are the Alaskan railroad bill.
which will pass the Senate on Thurs
day; rural credit legislation. to be un-
dertaken by the Banking and Cur
rency COMMITTEES; regulation of stock
exchanges, as proposed In the owen Dill.
upon which House hearings are to be-
gin February 4, and the Panama Canal
tollB question, which VIII come up In
Joint resolution introduced by Rep-
resentative Adamson, chairman OF the
| Interstate and Foreign Commerce COM
mittee, which would suspend condi-
tionally for two years the provision OF
the Panama Canal act. granting free
massage to American coastwise vessels
All proposed legislation. 1t now is Prac.
ticaliy agreed, cannot be crowded
through at this time, but what bills
arc to be sidetracked has not been de-
termined, and this will be the subject
OF legislative conferences from timo
to time between party leaders and tho
President.
Alaska to Receive Attention.
The Alaskan railroad bill and the
agricultural extension bill will occupy
the attention of the Senate most or
this week The Alaskan bill, which
was urged by the President In his last
message. and would provide for gov
ernment-built and operated raliroad
into interior of the territory. is certain
to pass. Senator Chamberlain secured
unanimous consent for vote on
Thursday. There is little opposition 10
the bill, and the Houes already mas the
same subject under consideration. 10
be taken up again on Weunesday WIN
the Alaskan bill out of the way. SEN
ator Smith, of GeorGin. Will present thc
Agricultural extension bill. which would
provide ultimately an annual appro
priation of S3,000,000 to be expended
through the State agricultural colleges
I'm educating farmers on aaNanceu asti
cultural lines. An amendment TO IN
crease the ultimate appropriation 10
s5. 600. 900. offered by Senator simmons,
of North Carolina, is pending.
Senator Kern, chairman OF the Privi-
leges and Election Committee. to-mor-
row will submit the report recommend-
ing that Blair Lee, OF Maryland, be
seated as the successor to Senator
Jackson. The majority Will attempt
TO reach n vote on the report as soon
rs rossible How far Republican lead
ers Will go in opposing the seating OF
Mr.. Lee has not been indicated raw
orabie action would give the Demo
Gratis n majority of seven In the SEN
ate There still Is u vacancy in Ala
Lama. the committee having voted ad-
versely on the credentials OF Frank +.
Glass, to succeed the late Senator
Johnston.
bills Well Under Way.
In the House appropriation bills are
well under way. The District of Co
lumbia bill already has been passed,
and is pending in the Senate commit
tee The post office bill. the largest Of
them all, is being debated. complicat-
ed by the rider" exempting assistant
rostmasters from the civil service, and
IL second amendment to provide $25,-
100000 annual appropriation, proposed
by the Roads Committee, for distribu-
tion among the various States on con-
dition of equal local appropriations.
The lnilitsry. Notifications. agricul-
tural and Indian bills are ready to
bring in at moments notice. and the
field Is being cleared for new legisla-
tive enterprises.
A caucus of House Democrats on the
question of creating House commit
tee en- suffrage was being agitated by
Western members to-day. They de-
| olnred II the full Committee on Rules
should affirm the Democratic majority
OF that committee In voting adversely
upon the proposition, the issue would
be put squarely to the party in-caucus.
The Naval Affairs Committee. In the
House, is about ready to wind up Its
hearings, starting off the week with
the chief of ordnance. and closing 1t
by hearing Secretary Daniels in sup
port OF the two-battleship program
The Rivers and Harbors COMMITTEES
Is wrestling with a host OF. big enter
prises, Including the general develop
pent OF New York Harbor and the pro-
posaI to purchase the Chesapeake and
Delaware Canal as part of an intra-
costal waterway chain for commercial
advancement and national DEFENSE.
The Immigration Committee Will
take mp tho matter of exclusion of