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Show COMMITTEE WORK DURING THE RECESS WASHINGTON, Dec. 8. The steering committee of the Senate today framed the programme of the Senate during the holiday holi-day recess. Four matters will be given attention during this period. - They are the Philippine bill, on wljlch the Senate today agreed to vote December 16; Statehood State-hood legislation, the nomination of William Wil-liam Crum to be collector of the port of Charleston. S. C, and the question of filling fill-ing vacancies on Senate committees. NO effort was made to outline a programme pro-gramme for the session, nor to prejudice action on urgent business which failed in the last session of Congress or was advocated advo-cated by the President In his message to Congress. At informal meetings of Senators Sena-tors several of these matters have been discussed and the understanding reached thnt some of them should be kept In the background until late in the session. Notably is this true In tne special legislation legis-lation granting the Interstate Commerce commission supervisor over railroad-. rates It Is said several bills will be sent over from the House before long, and as usual In short sessions of Congress.' nothing of a deputed character will be allowed to stand in their way. It is believed by Senate leaders that there will be no substantial opposition to the Statehood bill in its present form, admitting ad-mitting Oklahoma and Indian Territory as one State, and Arizona and New Mexico as one State. The Crum nomination, which failed of confirmation in three sessions because of a contest led by Senator Tillman, doubtless doubt-less will go through at this session. It is said Senator Tillman has conceded his Inability to prevent any longer the confirmation, con-firmation, and will be content to record his own vote in the negative when the matter comes up In executive session. Great Interest attaches to the committee vacancies. The most important are the chairman of the committees of the. Judiciary,- made vacant by the death of Senator Hoar, and on Inter-oceanic canals, which has not been filled since the death of Senator Hanna. Senator Piatt of Connecticut Is the ranking member of the Committee' on Judlolary, and Senator Piatt of New. York, of the Committee on Inter-oceanlc Canals. Senator Klttredge. who has been the most active member of the Canal committee since the vacancy. Is urged for the chairmanship. When the committee vacancies are filled provlston will be made for Senators Knox and Crane. |