The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-28


 istration leaders practically as an abandonment of the effort to force a vote on the issue in either house. There
 is no parliamentary opportunity for the matter to get before the House at this
 time, and the Senate continues to re- cess with the Shields waterpower bill under discussion in order to prevent discussion of foreign affairs on the 1 floor
 [ Conservation champions in the Sen ate plan to throw their combined l strength against the Shields bill to pro- vide for leasing of waterpower sites on navigable waters to private interests. | They hope to amend the measure to the satisfaction of the conservation forces. Tomorrow Senator Husting of Wisconsin will propose substitute with regulatory features which he de- clares will safeguard the public inter- est and prevent monopoiozation of wa terpower facilities. Senator Norris of Nebraska, charged in the Senate Sat- 1 urday, that the strongest lobby the cap itol has seen in many years is here in the interest of the Shields bill, and it is composed of representatives of the "waterpower trust which has its head quarters in Wall street." The fight against the bill has almost reached the filibustering stage, inasmuch as test votes so far on amendments have in- dicated that the Shields bill has a strong following
 AIR SERVICE PROBE As soon as an opportunity is offered Senator Robinson of Arkansas will make an effort to have passed his resolution providing for an inquiry into the aviation service of the army against which he has filed serious charges of inefficiency Little opposi- tion to passage of the resolution has appeared in the Senate and the House is expected to agree to the resolution. Progress is being made in general Appropriation bills, but leaders in both houses complain over delay in legisla- tive accomplishments and another speeding up order has been sent out. The judiciary subcommittee of the Senate hopes to conclude its hearing this week on the fitness of Louis D. Brandeis for the supreme court. Part of the Senate's time is expect ed to be given to consideration of the Haitien treaty.
 APPROPRIATION BILLS UP Consideration of the postoffice ap- propriation bill will be continued in the House and it's disposition will see the legislative appropriation bill taken up. The immigration bill debate may not be reached before next week. 1 The ways and means committee will report the free sugar bill tomorrow, ! but the date it will be discussed on the floor is indefinite. Busy days are ahead for the ways and means com
 mittee. Reporting of the sugar bill
 and submission of reports on proposed 1 dyestuffs legislation to President Will
 son will make its first real work of | the year. aside from reporting the stamp tax bill. but soon the commit 1 tee will be carrying the big burden of drafting preparedness revenue legisla- | ton. Outlines of the military plan now are generally known and the skeleton work of the naval programme soon will be ready, so the committee has i begun to form concrete ideas of what l it's task will be. Bales of data already are in possession of the committee l clerks, and the members are spending many hours figuring on sources of new dollars to meet eVXpenditures.