Republican Leadership
Mr. Robinson stands in definite contrast to Senator Lodge of Massachusetts, who will not relinquish the Republican leadership. Mr. Lodge is ultra-conservative and a sectionalist. His policies are much the same as those he expressed when he first came to the Senate 30 years ago.
Mr. Lodge appears to have chosen for his lieutenants the two men who might take the leadership from him, Senators Wadsworth of New York and Lenroot of Wisconsin. Actual direction of party legislation will be in their hands, and a fiery session is promised by the three young men in control of the Senate. Mr. Robinson is 50, with 10 years in the House and 10 in the Senate to his credit. Mr. Wadsworth is 45 and Mr. Lenroot 54. *** Again, the Bonus
A bonus for world war veterans is forecast for next year. The late bill providing an adjusted compensation and not sufficient support to go over Mr. Harding's veto. But the new Congress is expected to have the two-thirds majority required in favor of the bill.
The President stands by his word that he will veto any bonus not based on a sales-tax. *** Death by Filibuster
On the evening of Feb. 19 Senator Sheppard, Texas Democrat, opened the final debate on the Administration Ship Subsidy bill with a seven-hour speech on the League of Nations. Similar arguments against the measure continued for more than a week until the bill was pronounced dead by Senator JOnes, its manager.
This simple method of murdering a bill is called "filibuster." Any senator can speak on any subject at any time at any length; nothing can stop him but physical exhaustion. Friends and foes of the measure regard a filibuster as a sporting proposition. The object of the supporting side is to find a strategic error in the vocal armor of the filibusterers and obtain the floor to bring the measure to a vote. That happened several years ago to Senator LaFollette, who, after talking 18 hours, lost the floor and saw the bill passed in five minutes.
All the machinery of national politics was at work grinding away at President Harding's ship measure. House Republicans held up the Rural Credits bills to force the Senate to act. But the undaunted foes of subsidy talked on. Some of their speeches were: Senator Reed: "Purchase of the West Indies" (four hours); Senator Pomerene: "A Home for the Vice President" (12 minutes); Senator Borah: "Recognition of Russia" (two hours); Senator McKeller: "Bureau of Engraving Dismissals" (five and one-half hours).
After a week of that, Senator Jones surrendered. He begged to have the bill set aside as "unfinished business." Its status now is exactly the same as in November, when the President called a special session to pass it.
The farm black in the Senate is credited with the death of the Subsidy.
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SENATOR JOSEPH T. ROBINSON
Two-fisted leader of the Democratic minority in the Senate
Liquidation, Humiliation
Idle vessels of the Shipping Board will be sold at any sacrifice. This decision results from the failure of the Ship Subsidy bill to pass. It is the "liquidation and humiliation" President Harding mentioned in his last message to Congress.
Liquidation will mean a saving of $50,000,000 yearly cost of operation of the government-owned merchant marine. The humiliation lies in the "surrender of our aspirations and the confession of our impotence … before the competing world." The ships cost $3,000,000,000; they will bring $26,000,000. *** Farm Credits
It is conceivable that the 67th Congress will pass legislation favorable to the farmer before it adjourns. Three bills are under consideration by the House Committee on Banking and Currency, which may be combined for passage:
The Capper bill authorizes the 12 Federal Reserve banks to discount notes, drafts, or bills drawn for an agricultural purpose.
The Lenroot-Anderson bill provides capital in each Federal Farm Loan bank and authorizes the banks to issue long-term tax-free debentures on stock or land to the amount of $1,200,000,000.
The Strong bill, which liberalizes the Federal Farm Loan Act.
The Capper and Lenroot bills have been passed by the Senate. *** Immigration
No action on the current immigration bill will be taken by the 67th Congress.
The bill would admit annually 2% of the number of naturalized aliens here in 1890, instead of the present quota of 3%, based on the 1910 census. It would exclude Japanese and low-caste Hindus.
Labor wants immigration cut to a minimum. So-called "Big Business" wants immigration increased. Both agree, however, that it is well to incorporate in the bill the "year 1890" proviso. That would increase the influx of hardy, industrious northern Europeans and would diminish the number of southern Europeans. *** The Norris Bill
The Norris Constitutional Amendment, which would advance the date of inauguration of the President and seating of Congress, gained strength in the House, but its passage is not conceded in this session. The measure, which passed the Senate by odds of more than 10 to 1, is aimed at the ubiquitous "lame duck" Congressman, who, defeated and repudiated by his constituency, continues long afterward to wreak his will upon legislation. It provides that the President and Vice President shall take office the third Monday in January and that Congress shall be seated the first Monday in January instead of March 4.
