Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-29
CONGRESSMEN OFF
TO CHICAGO MEET
Many Have Left Washington for
Business Pertaining to
Convention.
DIFFICULT TO KEEP QUORUM
House to End Debate on Naval
Bill on Friday and Take Vote
Before Adjournment.

WASHINGTON. May 2s.--The pre-
convention exodus of members of Con-
grcss already has begun, many MEM
bers of the House and nearly score
of Senators having left Washington
for preliminary business pertaining to
the Republican convention IN Chicago
next week. Democratic leaders will
begin 70 depart later in the week on
political missions connected with tho
st. Louis convention.
For many days the halls Of the Cap
itol have buzzed with political discus
encountered trouble in keeping a
quorum present in either house. Re-
alizing that this difficulty will in
crease, extraordinary efforts are being
made TO hold members whose absence
is not imperative until next Friday.
Important legislation that will re-
quire attendan OF members during the
week includes the s24i.000, 900 naval
appropriation bill in the House and
the longfouSht rivers and harbors ap-
preparation bill in the Senate. The
House will end debate on the naval bill
before adjournment. The bill then
will go to the Senate, wher' the Naval
Affairs Committee will take i. up after
the conventions end.
Decisive action on the $4,000, 900
rivers and harbors bill in the Senate
Is expected by Thursday or Friday
at the latest Tomorrow the Senate
will vote on motion to recommit.
with instructions that the bill he re-
ported in the form of a blanket appro-
priation of s20.00o.oo0 to carry on exist
ing projects. Senators who have persist
emily fought the bill have made many
converts, and they were confident
tonight that they could muster enough
votes TO send the bill back TO the COM
mittee. If they do the Commerce Com
mittee at once will report the proposed
substitute resolution, which could be
fails. other efforts at completion Will
be made.
TO ACT on NOMINATION
OF LOUIS ID. BRANDEIS
Another important event OF tho
week will be action on the nomina-
ton of Louis p. Brandeis to the Su-
preme Court. The vote will be taken
on Thursday, and opposition leaders
have conceded that confirmation will
result The leaders are preparing re-
ports for and against Mr.. Brandeis,
which will be submitted in lieu of
discussion in executive session on
Thursday, TO be made public after the
vote is taken,
Another matter which Senate lead
ers hope to dispose of before the con-
vention is the Philippine self-govern-
ment bill, substituted BY the House
for the Senate independence measure.
Administration leaders are ready to ac-
cept the House bill without reference
| TO the Philippines Committee. and they
hope to force vote on it. despite
~ome Republican opposition.
AS soon as this business is disposed
of leaders OF both houses will be ready
for the conventions. Agreement al
ready has been reached for the Senate
to recess for three days at a time,
beginning next Saturday. The House
plans TO keep going without recess.
considering undisputed bills. Among
important matters, which must await
the return OF absent members. are the
fortiications. diplomatic and consular.
pension bills already pending, and the
army appropriation bill. carrying an
III '"i"'eiS Ei""'""',"uo, which Will be
formally reported on Tuesday
Tomorrow the Senate Committee on
Post-ofices and Post Roads will meet
IN executive session To consider the
case of Fourth Assistant Postmas,,r
General James ]. Blakslee. who
charged in Il letter to postmasters tina,
members OF the committee had sur
rendered to the railroads in their dis
a M 81 .nfE.,
Dill Mr. Blakslee and the committee
haa an exciting word war over the
matter yesterday