The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1916-01-27
THE JEFFERSONIAN

Lie heiilocTdCS are Spl1C all TO pieces on the
Presidents policies, and unless some man in
Congress looms up pretty quick who can bring
the divided factions together, Mr. Wilson will
face situation equally as serious as that
which Mr.. Taft had to butt up against in 1912.
There has not been a single Administration
measure put through yet, and if one gets
) through 1t will have to be by the aid of the
Republicans, which means that the President
Will have to make some compromise with the
opposition party In campaign year-a year
In which compromises usually spell ruin for
the party granting the concessions.
The Presidents plan for preparedness,
which naturally had the right-of-way over
other measures has been held up, and it is
now generally admitted that it will be some
time in March or April before it comes before
Congress for final action, and in the meantime
the following measures of importance to the
Administration are waiting:
Bills increasing the land and sea forces for
national defense
The revenue bill (not even reduced to tentative
form, to provide for deficiencies and to defray
the additional cost of defense.
The Merchant Marine Bill, establishing fleet
under Government control and appropriating
$3.50 900, 600.
The bill providing for greater penalties for Of
lenses against the welfare of the Government by
foreigners.
Thirteen appropriation bills, carrying about
$3.50 ,0000 900.
Five bills for the conservation of the resources
of the country in the intermountain States.
A bill making amendments to the Banking and
Currency Act.
Treaties with Colombia, Nicaragua and Hayti.
OF these measures, the Philippine Bill, which
not passed at the last session because of the
f1libuster the Merchant Marine Bill, looks
if it might have chance to pass before the po-
litcal conventions meet in June to nominate can
diGates for the presidency.
AS The New York World, which assumes
to be the Administration authentic mouth
piece, puts it:
There is the word of Chairman Hay of the
House Military Committee and Chairman Padgett
of the Naval Committee, that the national de-
Tense bills will not be ready for submission to
the Lower House much before the middle of
March. Tentative drafts, however, are being
made now
The appropriation bills waiting on other legis-
lation, which may compel changes in present
financial calculations, cannot even be advanced to
a stage Of final preparation before June July.
So far as the other measures of general impor-
lance are concerned, the leaders frankly admit
that they will have to take their chances. The
only bill that appears to find favor in either
House is the annual pork barrel measure, ap-
propriating money of the nation for the benefit OF
local communities.
No man in either House of Congress appears
to have made it his business to steer the defense
bills through the turbulent Democratic waters
that submerge them.
The tituar leader of the Senate is John Worth
Kern, of Indiana Mr.. Kern is companions bic
ma1 very popular with his fellow members, and
his leadership is of the most moderate and con-
ciJiatory sort, being mainly confined to straighten
. ing out little animosties among his party breth-
ISren. and legislative snarls.
W But Mr.. Kern is not regarded as the spokesman
of the Administration in the Senate. Senator
William J. Stone, of Missouri, assumes to speak
L IN matters
\ made a speech almost every day some
We of the international situation, which, while