New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-03-01
Every Possible Effort To
Be Made to Obviate all
Extra Session.
PRESIDENT TO STAY
EVER CLOSE AT HAND
Appropriation Bills Expected to
Leave No Time for General
Legislation.
iFrnn IL, Trihnna Ruf.,u. !

Washington, Feb. 2s.--Demoerauc
leaders in the Senate devoted them
selves to-day TO the Anal task OF legis-
lative sail trimming 10 meet the haz-
ards that confront the majority at the
outset OF the last three and one-half
days of the present Congress.
The rivers and harbors bill has prac-
tically been Topped OFF the Senate pro
gramme. In place Of il another reso-
luton approprlating a lump sum for
work on existing projects, 70 be eN-
pended at the discretion OF the Secre-
tary Of War. will be passed.
A feeble effort to make a show OF
carrying out the legislative programme
laid down by the President At the out
set of the session will also be made,
but with little expectation tfat any
Of the bills now on the calendar Will
reach a final vote. Senator Hitchcock
has urged his colleagues TO do some
thing with the Philippine bills. IT op-
portunity is afforded the water power
bill substituted for the general dam
bill proposed by the administration
will be taken Up for consideration. Dur
ing the last hours of the session on
Tuesday evening or Wednesday morn
ing the ship purchase bill might he
brought out and exhibited to the gal
leries before It is consigned 10 the OBJ
livion that overtakes all unfinished
measures when the gayel falls at noon
on March 4.
Concessions to Minority.
Only by making such concessions as
may be demanded by the minority can
the majority leaders hope 70 accom-
plish anything, and there Is doubt that
the Senate will pass any general legis-
iation before IL brings its stormy ca
reer TO a close. The Republicans OPP
pose the use Of the word independence
in the preamble of the Philippine bill
and demand the substitution OF the
word government. so that Con-
gress will still reserve the right TO
exercise modicum of supervision over
the affairs Of the islands, leaving the
promise of independence 10 be carried
out when the time is ripe for II. To
Obviate the debate that might be stirred
up by the question OF Filipino indie
pendence. the administration leaders
might consent to the omission of the
preamble of the bill altogether. To
the body of the bill there is very little
opposition.
Action on the water power bill is
more than doubtful. The question II
presents is one that has always aroused
extended discussion. Although the ma
iority leaders express the hope that
in view Of the scant time remaining
Senators will say little, the chance
that the involved problem will be dis
posed Of so easily is very remote.
More serious than any other obstacle
10 the plans Of the majority leaders -
the necessity Of considering the re-
naming appropriation bills and con-
ference reports on bills already passed.
The Senate will wrestle again with the
Indian bill tomorrow. 1t must also
pass the general deficiency bill.
Trouble will be encountered over the
conference report on the Agricultural
bill. to which has been appended the
NcCumber rural credit bill, the Rd-
ministration desiring TO substitute for
it the so-callcd Hollis bill, rather than
eHject it altogether.
Remaining Time Precious.
All of this means delay. and it is pos
sible that no opportunity will be af-
fordcd for taking up general lcgisla.
ton. Considering every moment Of
Ihe remaining llIHe plcClOuS, tHc 'tH
ate will probably wind up its record
for tho Congress by sitting in cOn.inu
Gus session during the last two days
and nights. TO complete its routine
labors and avoid the necessity for an
extra session.
Senators took for granted to-day that
they would not be molested by sum-
mons TO an extra session shortly after
March 4 for the consideration of ex-
ecutive business. The suggestion has
been made that the President might
call Congress together somewhat be-
fore the regular meeting time next De
cember, but this has not been decided.
We're it not for the rural credits
amendment 10 the agricultural bill, the
House would be in excellent shape TO
adjourn on Thursday. The McCumber
amendment, however, has the Demo
Gratis UP a tree. A number of con
ferences will be held tomorrow. In an
endeavor to extricate tho members OF
the majority out Of their tickllsh sit
uation.
President Wilson has made few en-
gagements for the present week, in the