New-York tribune., 1916-07-24
Eager to Avoid a Row with
Southern Democrats
Over Measure.
HOPE PRESIDENT
WILL NOT INSIST
o.,hl;cans Are Determined to
Force a Showdown After
Defence Bills Pass.
,r-,n he Tribune Bureau J

Washington, JUi! So
,.,,ress will adjourn without passing
=. ebHd labor bill is a question on
~hi,h few Senators would comment to-
.,cbt Nobody knows. President Will
has done nothing since his spec
lar ,rip 20 the Capitol early in the
=. and Administration Senators are
,..,,g that is all he will do. They do
-, want a row with their Southern
s,s,bren. and they know they will get
: = they start the child labor discus
sior.
penuhreans are determined to have
.Aovsovn. As soon as the appro-
.-.,,on measures are out Of the way
So,stor Smoot, Of Utah, will move to
..to IN the child labor bill. and then
30 trouble will begin. Senator Smith,
-. South Carolins. one of the leading
..,onents Of child labor legislation, in
IDS 70 head this off. if possible, with
ro,jon 10 take up the immigration
h;u As indicated in Senator Hard
u;.ss speech last week, the Southern
Senators are determined 10 put this
r,essure over in spite of the Presi-
dents opposition if Mr.. Wilson insists
o. the child labor bill
Republicans Well Satisfied.
Republicans have no objection 70
his. They are hoping for vote on
he immigration bill Just as much as,
and perhaps a little more than. on the
,bild labor bill. The immigration bill
,s the one big subject on which both
houses Of Congress unite in opposing
,ls President. and the possibility OF
Congress putting a bill over Mr.. VIII
sons veto gives the Republicans JOY,
sside from the fact that they favor the
immjgration bill on its merits. But
as soon as the immigration measure is
passed. II 10 is passed. they Will insist
on the child labor bill.
The Senate Steering Committee, with
-ost Of the members of which Mr..
Wilson consulted on his trip 10 the
Capitol. has met twice, but has done
nothing. ,, -
When asked if a caucus would be
called TO reverse the action Oh me
caucus which sidetracked the chllo
sbor bill week ago, Chairman herhi
q the Steering Committee, merely re-
rhe5 that something would be known
n few days"
Hope Wilson Won't Fight
Hs,o is growing among Southern
Ss,,,ors that the President is satisfied
,,;,b What he has done already 10 show
he sour+rv that ne is for the chlld
lsbor LEGISLATION and will not make
zeal Seht The preesnt "wstchful walt
i,rr tactics of the steering committee
s-e said 10 be based largely on TINS
lone But the Republicans make no &C
cret that they will end their waiting
as soon as the appropriation bllls pass.
Then the Administration leaders VIII
be forced 70 show their hands and vote
20 consider the child labor bill, whlch
viii mean its ultimate passage. since
q large majority favor 1t, or vote
against taking il up at all. 80,
II il IS decided TO act on the child
labor bill the Democratic caucus agree
ment % adjourn on August ~ must go
BIZ the board The party leaders now
ever, insist on adjournment not later
than September l in any event.
Senate Busy on Defence.
Comoletion Of the national defence
programme is occupying the senate
whole attention just now. Conferrees
on the naval bill passed on Friday VIII
get 70 work during the week IN an ef-
fort 20 reconcile the widely different
building programmes authorized by
the two houses. The most ardent cham
sions Of a big navy admit that the
Senate conferrees will be forced TO
Yield some of the increase made
by the Senate. but they expect
the House cOnferrees will be induced
% accept a general three-year build
.ng programme with generous portion
Of other Senate recommendations.
Senator Chamberlain. chairman of
the Military Committee, expects the
army appropriation bill now under de-
hate 20 be passed within few days
and strong efforts will be made TO get
final action on both navy and army
conference reports during the first
week in August. ,
Before the end Of the present week
the Senate plans TO begin debate on the
Shipping bill. Then will follow the
revenue bill. ,,
The House is marking time while the
Senate completes its programme; l,
will meet again on Tuesday, without
any particular schedule.