When Congress met in December, 1912, the status of the Red Cross building bill seemed most fortunate. It had passed the Senate without opposition carrying an appropriation of $400,000. The House Committee had unanimously accepted the Senate bill and had recommended it for passage. All that remained was for the House to pass it and the President to attach his signature. The road looked straight and easy and not very long, with a bright blue sky overhead. And then something interfered slightly with the forward movement. Many other bills with many active congressmen behind them crowded into the foreground. There seemed to be no opening for the Red Cross bill to slip through. Big bills for the support of the vast governmental departments had to be given precedence. Time flew and congressmen began to refer to the fact that it was a short session with much to be done. Also the leaders began to urge economy in appropriations. It was found impossible to get a definite place or date set for a vote on the Red Cross bill. At one time it was proposed to try to call it up by unanimous consent, but nothing came of that. Then those in charge thought better to abandon it as a distinct measure and insert it as an item in the big Public Buildings and Grounds Bill, which contained appropriations for many buildings. Later the cry of economy became more strident and the plan for the Red Cross bill was again changed. Now it was decided not to bring it forward in the House but instead to pass the Public Buildings and Grounds Bill in the House without it and let it be inserted by the Senate when the big bill reached that body. It is customary for the Senate to add numerous items to bills of this character after the House has passed them. Then the bills as amended by the Senate must go back to the House for the House to accept the Senate amendments. If the House declines to accept the Senate amendments a committee is appointed from each side to confer and try to agree on the items in dispute. Usually both Senate and House accept the recommendations of the conference committees.