Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-05
A N EXT RIA S ES SION
No Definite Decision That Congress Will Be
Early Called Together.
Causes which Lead Some to Think
That the President Nay Take
Such Action.

| There is no definite decision that there Is
/ Ia be an extra session of Congress this fall
Some expect it, but this expectation is a
| matter Of Judgment. There is good reason
| for asserting that the President does not
! at this time contemplate calling Congress
! together before the regular time of meet
| ing. but that he recognizes the possibility
! that the situation may be such this fall as
| 10 render an extra session desirable. There
| fore he has said to senators and members
| who. contemplating protracted tour
| abroad have asked the direct question. that
! il would be well to be hand and pre-
/ rarei for an extra session in the fall This
advice is merely precautionary.
An extra session is possibility. but not
a certainty Some members of the House
desire an early meeting of Congress, 50 as
to shorten the speakership contest. The
radical advocates Of financial legislation
want carly meeting so as to afford time
for the question to be fought out and ac-
ton to Be had during the first session. But
there is decided opposition in the Senate to
an extra session being called. Just before
Congress adjourned the question of wheth-
not the need of financial legislation or
Of provisions for the government of Porto
Rico. Cuba. Hawaii and the Philippines
would be likely to require an early assem-
cd by the republican senator's, and the de-
CiSion reached. with practical agreement.
vas that nothing to be foreseen III the or
binary progress of these matters would
make an early meeting necessary.
\ Few Think 1t Desirable.
A few senator's regarded 1t as desirable
that a fall session should be called. and it
| is understood to b. the opinion of Senator
Davis, chairman of the foreign relations
committee. that an extra session Will De
called. At this time there has been no de-
termination in the matter and an extra ses-
sion is merely a possibility dependent upon
future developments. To those who are
eager for legislation the fact that the cleo
tiOn of a new Speaker and the reorganiza-
ton of the committees will take up several
weeks of the session is a strong argument
in favor of an extra session. but usually
more extreme necessity Is required loi
such a course.
Certainly until there has been some more
definite results In the Philippine affairs the
matter will be much an open question
as it was three months ago Neither the
situation in Cuba nor that in Porto Rico
and Hawaii makes an urgent demand for
legislation before the ordinary session of
Congress. and the question of financial
legislation is too unsettled to warrant a
session expressly for such Legislation. No
understanding on the subject has yet been
reached between the House caucus COM
is yet to be determined whether they can
agree.
1t Is acknowledged to be doubtful whether
they can agree on any proposition open to
controversy and if the plan proposed is
such as not TO arouse much opposition
there will be no need for extra ordinary
steps to hasten its adoption.
Senator Chandler's Views.
Senator Chandler said today that he did
not think there was any probability of
extra session: that the question had been
gone over by senators just before adjourn
ment. and that it the general opinion
that the military control in the acquired
Islands could properly be allowed 10 con-
tinue until Congress was ready to act in
the ordinary course
Well to Get nm Early Start.
Representative Dalzell of Pennsylvania,
who will be a member of the ways and
means committee and the rules committee
or the House, If he is elected
Speaker is interested in the report of the
probable calling of an extra session OF Con-
gress early next fan.
Il think il would probably be a good
idea said MIR. Dalzei to Star reporter
today, for Congress To assemble a month
or two in advance of the regular session
The House could then organize. the Speak
could appoint committees and the House
and Senate dispose OF a great deal OF buSl-
ness before the time for the regular ses-
sion arrived. There is much to be done
in the next Congress, and it may be just
d we'll to get an early start not
When questioned upon his own chances
for the speakership Mr. Dalzell was very
reticent. In fact. his reticence was carried
to- an extreme and he would not even admit
that he will be a candidate, nor would he
deny the possibility of becoming one.
The election is long way OFF, he said
with smile. and this for him. under the
circumstances was saying a great deal.