The Washington times., 1914-10-03
EYES Of CONGRESS
UPON SHORT SESSION
Important Legislation viii Fin
Calendar When Legislators
Reconvene.

Now that Congress is calculating on
ending the session about October Is.
members are beginning to speculate on
what will be done at the Forthcoming
regular short session. which begins the
nrst Monday In December and ends
March l.
The short session promises to he an
unusually important one. as short ses-
sions 90. In spite Of the fact that the
present session has been an unusually
long one, a great deal of proposed Iegis-
lation Is going over until next winter.
1t u a part Of the informal under
standing that the ship purchase bill will
go over. but that 1t will be taken up
promptly when the next session opens.
and will be passed by both houses.
May Call Extra Session.
The possibility exists that the Presi-
dent will cali Congress back in extra
session about November 10. and IL he
does the ship purchase bill viii be the
first thing taken UP then. Whether the
President calls Congress together will
depend on developments. The European
war situation, as everyone knows, may
bring about situations before the au-
tumn u over which will make the pres
ence Of Congress in Washington ad-
visable
For that matter. 1t may be said there
is no positive arrangement for adjourn
opments between now and the middle
Of the month may send all plans to that
effect glimmering.
The ship purchase bill will take up
much time, especially in the Senate.
1t is likely to occupy several weeks
or q month. possibly more. 1t Is now
well known that the Administration
no longer regards this as an emergency
measure, but something in the way OF
q permanent policy.
General Policy Feared.
The President has believed for some
time in the Government ownership of
shipping lines, according to his friends.
with a view to using these lines to
develop trade. Opponents Of Govern
mept ownership see in It q long step
in the direction of Government owner
ship of the railroads and the tele-
graph and telephone lines, and hence
there will be a good deal more In
voived than appears on the surface,
the main thing for the short session.
The Democratic leaders are having
troublesome experience with lavish ap-
propriations and war taxes now. They
Will make an eUOrt, II may Oe cSpcct-
ed, to hold down the expenditures.
II there Is a real disposition to discuss
appropriation bills in the Senate, as
there has been this session. there will
not be time for a great deal OF other
legislation there. Most Of the time or
the House will be devoted to appropria-
lions, though by the application of the
ironclad rules there bills can be passed
on short notice IL the leaders and the
White House 50 decide 1t
The Philippine bill, passed by the
House this session. will go to the Sen,
ate and be taken up by that body next
winter. 1t is too early to tell whether
IL viii pass. The bill for control Of rail-
way securities, IL is expected. VIII be
revived. Efforts will be made to press
legislation and child-labor
legislation. The proposed prohibition
to the constitution may be
voted on an dthe equal suffrasists will
be busy in behalf Of their amendment
The seamen's bill will be another of the
numerous measures the passose OF
which will be insisted on and likewise
the rural credits bill. -