The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-05-04
LESS SPECTACULAR
WEEK IN CONGRESS
Senate and House viii Turn At
tention to Other Matters
Than War.
DEBATE ON TOLLS MEASURE
big" and Little" Navy Men
Will Be Heard in Argument
on Appropriation Bill.

Washington. May 3.--The war spirit
Is slumbering in Congress, and unless
there are unlooked-for Developments
south Of the Rio Grande during tho
present week, both Senate and House
VIII turn attention TO subjects less
spectacular than talk OF invasion and
predictions of American conquest.
The Senate promises to be busy dur
ing the week with debate ION the bill
to repeal the tolls exemption clause
or tho Panama Canal act.
The House is expected to dispose
OF the naval appropriation bill, provide
In II for two battleships. as the ad-
Ininistration has requested, pass the
diplomatic and consular bill and pos
aibly reach the antitrust bill. The
big" and little" navy men Will have
their inning tomorrow. and refer
ences TO the Mexican situation may
lend fuel for debate.
TOLLS DEBATE WILL CAUSE
MORE ORATOHICAL DISPLAY
Tho tolls debate In the Senate will
call forth moro oratorical display.
and fcoling for the Senate is divided
on the question of repeal, md most
Senators have decided views on the
subject.
In the meantime both houses of Con-
gress will keep a close watch on the
Developments In Mexico. Bulletins
with tho latest news from the army
and navy, from the mediators sitting
here. and from every quarter that Is
dealing with Mexico are posted in
prominent places in both wings OF the
Capitol.
While tho House may get It's anti
trust bill during tho week. the SEN
ate Interstate Commerce Committee
VIII not report the drastic bill on the
same subject drafted by n subcomnit-
tee, and it's appearance is not expected
until the tolls debate is closed.
The Senate Foreign Relations Com
mittee Will take up consideration on
Wednesday the convention OF the con-
ference on safety of life at sea, held
recently In London. Opposition to the
ratification of the convention by the
Senate already has developed, and the
Foreign Relations Committee may de-
bate It's provisions for several days.
MAY AMEND BILL TO CONFORM
TO THE LONDON CONVENTION
While the Senate committee is on
the convention. the House Merchant
and Marine Committee will continue
its consideration of the seaman's bill
passed by tho Senate. The commit
tee probably will amend the bill to
conform to the London convention.
The Senate bill would require every
vessel to carry two able seamen. with
three years experience on deck at
sea, for every lifeboat. while the con-
vention provides for three ''lifeboat
men" for every lifeboat, but permits
these men TO be drawn from stewards,
engineers or other members OF the
crew, with requirements for eXamina-
tion and certihcation of fitness to man
lifeboats. Members OF the House COM
nittee are said to believe the provi-
sions of tho seaman's bill would neces-
state Il deck k-crew increase on every
vessel of from 90 to so per cent
The House Interstate Commerce
COMMITTEES. about to take up the rail-
way capitalization control bill, may
report this week the coast guard bill.
which would amalgamate the revenue
cutter and lighthouse services. The
Rules Committee is deferring action
on the Henry bill for congressional
investigation OF the cotton and grain
exchanges, pending tho Agriculture
Committees hearings on the Lever
bill. aimed against future transac-
tions and for grain Standardization.
The general dam bill, to regulate
the waterpower rights on all navi-
gable streams. is being pushed for
consideration In the House. while on
another waterpower bill. affecting all
such rights on the entire public do
main, hearings are being held by the
House Public Lands Committee. Lane
and other administration supporters
of the measure are expected to testi-
~ this week.