Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-12-10
ONLY EXCELLENT MANAGEMENT
CAN STEER CONGRESS CLEAR
OF BREAKERS.
NUMEROUS MEMBERS DESIRE
EXTRA SESSION AFTER MARCH 4
President May Be Forced to Reconvene
Congress Because Of Deliberate Dila-
tory Tactics Of Statesmen Who Have
Bills They Wish Enacted into Law
Little Hope Of Economy.
Especial Correspondence.)

o.
Washington, Dec. 1O-Nothing but
exceptional management can prevent
congress from getting in such tangle
over the appropriation bills that some
of>these bills will fail to pass by March
L. OF course, such failure would mean
an extra session because no admins
tration would take the responsibility
of letting any department of the gov
eminent or any branch OF it run along
without needed funds.
The opening OF congress has made it
more clear than ever that it Will take
unusual generaiship to get the appro-
prlatlon bills passed and get such 9TH
CT general legislation enacted as the
president wants and still finish the task
by March 4. Just at present, it does
not seem likely that the task will be
finished.
One of the reasons why it seems
likely not to be finished is that many
members of congress want an extra
session next spring. They have leg
islation to enact which they think
ought to be enacted and they know
that the probabilities are it can not he
To Raise Important Questions.
Another reason is found in the fact
that the appropriation bills will raise
any number of important questions
which will lead to protracted discus
sion For instance. in connection with
the army and navy and Notifications
bills, there will arise the whole ques-
ton of the preparedness of the United
daft in .
Congress ordinarily would not per-
NIT itself to become much concerned
over the state of the national defence.
This is subject to which the average
member knows little and as rule cares
less. But with most Of Europe and
part of Asia afiame with war, with
conflict raging the like Of which has
never been recorded in history and
which extends to nearly all parts Of the
globe, it Is obvious that talk of mill
tary and naval preparations compels
a certain measure of attention that 1t
would not otherwise receive.
Not Much Hope Of Economy.
Numerous other important PROPOSE
lions will come up In connection with
appropriations. The efforts to econo-
mize in themselves will bring about
debate and consume time. AS a matter
of fact, house and senate leaders doubt
whether it will be possible to cut the
appropriations much below the mark
of last year. Barring the fact that
the Panama canal this year is calling
for less outlay. there is little or no re-
lief in sight in the way Of enormous
appropriations.
1t will be another billion dollar con-
gress and good deal more than that
and the leaders in house and senate
know it. On the one hand, the pressure
for big appropriations was seldom
greater than it is now and on the other
the leaders, with the country burdened
with war tax were seldom more anx-
ious to hold the expenditures down. But
the difficulties are great.
To Curtaii Recess.
One of the methods which will be
taken to gain time and prevent an ex-
ira session will be to curtail the usual
holiday vacation or recess to an unus-
ual extent. 1t is expected this recess
will not exceed ten days and 1t may be
even of less duration than this. Night
sessions also are much talked of. Sen
ator Owen continues to advocate a
cloture rule in the senate but the SEN
ate has no intention Of enforcing clo-
ture and cutting off the right of I'M
limited debate. Many senators feel
that to do so would put into the hands
of the executive and the majority In,
congress dominated by the executive
the power virtually to choke off the
minority from discussion and to silence
it, They believe it dangerous to the
public welfare.
The effects of the European war are
felt on congress in many ways Numer-
Gus questions relating to the war will
come up for discussion this winter.
Contrabrand. neutrality. and phases
of such problems will be much debated.
This is apparent in the nature of some
of the resolutions and other measures
already introduced, as the vollmer res
olution looking to the shutting Off Of
all contraband from export. save only
foodstuffs. Such matters will consume
time. whether they result I'm legisla-
ton or not