The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1916-03-03
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS FIGHT
OVER SETTLEMENT OF BIG
PROBLEMS.
LEGISLATION IS HAMPERED
Bill for Government Ownership OF
Merchant Marine, Materially
Changed, May Be Passed-Plans for
Raising Revenue still Undecided.
Rx GEORGE CLINTON.

few feet, metaphorically speaking AT
any rate, for fist fight. Heat, rancor,
our old friends elimination and re-
elimination, and the stand-bys, con-
tention and abuse, still are present.
Here is a program Of the things
which the members of both parties
will wrangle over before the winter Is
done, or now are wrangling over, as
the case may be:
National defense.
New taxation measures.
The government ownership of mer-
chant marine.
Independence for the Filipinos.
The seaman's law and attempts to
change or repeal it.
Child labor.
The appropriations.
Prohibition and woman suffrage
amendments to the constitution.
Prohibition for the District OF Co
lumbia.
The Colombian and Haitian treaties.
Some of these things, as it will be
seen, already are up for discussion.
OF course the matter Of national de-
Tense Is foremost and 1t has been gain
ing interest and acrimony from the
fact that both on the Democratic and
Republican sides there Is to be found
a considerable number Of stanch op-
ponents OF anything like preparedness.
The bill giving definite promise OF
independence to the Philippine islands
at a certain date already has been dis
cussed at considerable length in the
senate and to some extent in the
house. It will cause more discussion
and many hours of debate heated by
friction before 1t finally Is disposed OF.
The announcement of the Republic
cans In New York that 1t is the sense
of the party that it would be an in
Justice to the Filipinos, and also a
cowardly act on the part of the United
States, to turn them loose to care for
themselves at too early date, has
made the island question figure more
largely in the public eye than other
wise would have been the case.
Shipping Bill Much Changed.
The bill providing for the govern.
ment ownership of a merchant marine
will be debated at great length. Al
ready some murmurs and some ap-
plause concerning 1t are being heard
in the two houses Of congress. 1t will
be remembered that last year a mer-
chant marine bill was passed by the
house of representatives, but met its
fate in the senate, where 1t was talked
to death. The measure this year is
in much changed form. 1t provides
an appropriation of about $50,O00,0OO
for the building or purchase of ships
to be owned, of course. by the govern
ment, but to be leased to private par
ties.
One Of the chief objections entered
by the opponents of the shipping bill
of last year was that under its terms
the government could and probably
intended to (at least so II was charged)
purchase merchant vessels belonging
to a belligerent European power and
which then were and still are tied W
in American harbors, not being able tc
put to sea for fear of capture.
Last year there was denial from
government quarters that there was
any intention of purchasing these
ships. Many men hold that 1t would
be an unneutral act for the United
States to buy the vessels. Under the
provisions of the bill this year the
purchase Of such ships still might bt
possible, but 1t is understood to be the
governments intention, II the measure
goes through, to spend virtually al
the money in the building of merchant
vessels which can be used in time o.
war as fleet auxiliaries.
The ruling majority in the house o
representatives as yet does not know
what form of revenue raising meas
I ures II will report for adoption. Ever
while things are still in doubt as Il
the extent Of the preparedness pro
gram which will be adopted, it virtu
: ally is known that something will b
. done and that the army and navy ex
j penses Of the government largely vii
be increased. Therefore II will be nee
essary to raise money to pay the bills
} immigration 5lIl Again.
, New immigration bills containing
i clause which, IL enacted into law, vii
prevent the landing on these shore
| Of foreigners who cannot read hav
! been introduced into house and ser
/. ate The senate measure is fathers
by Senator Ellison d. Smith OF Soutl
, Carolina, and the house measure b
! Representative John L. Brunette Q
| Alabama.
This bill unquestionably will pas
the senate and almost unquestionabl
will pass the house Of Representatives
The question therefore is whether o
not President Wilson again viii vet
. the measure. Last year the bill wen
through both houses with big major
, ties back Of II. but the house. after
. hard fight. refused to pass the bill owe
: the veto OF the president, the measur
, falling OF the required two-thirds M
, jority by only q small margin.
: When this immigration measur
/ comes up for debate there win be I've