The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-11-20
National Administration
Does Not Want Extra Ses-
sion of Congress
MUCH TO BE DONE
IN THE SHORT TERM
Appropriation Bills Must Be Finished,
Immigration Taken Up and Ma
tional Defense Problems
Looked Into

Washington. November 19.-(Spe-
cla1.)-"No extra session." declares the
administration. Congress is expected
to finish its work during the con-
stitutional limitations of the short ses-
sion beginning the first Monday in De-
ccmber and for the first time in five
Years the country will enjoy a sum-
rner without constant Commandment
of the big political siege guns from
the national capital
There has been some doubt expressed
in congressional circles as to the abil-
ity of Congress to finish the appro-
priation bills-12 in number-and be
ready to adjourn sine die on the 4th
or next March. However. the leaders
arc convinced that it can be accom-
plished and everyone, is expected to
work to that end. Work has already
begun on two of the big APPROXIMATION
hills by Representative Fitzgerald's
committee. 1t is predicted that these
two measures will be completed in the
rough ready for introduction in the
House during the first week of the
approaching session. Thereafter moth
irg will stand in the way of the ma
Jority juggernaut. The steam roller will
be used, If 1T is necessary. and the
necessary legislation disposed of.
There will of course be opposition
1t will probably be the republican
plan to delay. Also there are ambi-
tious democrats with pet schemes for
legislation, who may become militant.
Representative Henry of Texas still
bTeaths defiance in large assignments
to any person whomsoever who will
not concede that cotton relief legis-
ldtion-of the paternalistic brand
must be had
Possible legislation, aside from the
appropriation bills for the coming ses-
sion embraces rural credits, 1egisla-
tion on the cotton question, probably
the passage of the warehouse bill
which failed In the last session through
! inability of its advocates to get the
measure up under unanimous consent
agreement and immigration.
1t is hoped by those favoring the
Burnett bill that the question of i'm
| migration may be settled during the
short session This question has been
asitated for years and the bill is the
outgrowth of careful study on the part
of Representative Burnett, aided by
Representative Gardner of Massa :
chusetts, republican member of the
1
Europe in the opinion of many only
| adds to the need of early action on this
| measure, as 1T is expected that after
| the war is over. under our present laws
| the United States will be a ripe field
| to be used as a dumping ground for
large masses of undesirable emigranys
| from Europe.
| 1t is more than probable too, that
| this session is to see a hard fight. If
| not actual legislation, upon the sub
| ject of national defense. There Is a
! strong undercurrent fayoring substan-
! tial increases in the standing army,
| and such laws as will materially In
crease the efficiency of that arm of the
service. Sentiment has developed rap
| IDLY in many quarters favoring the
| government making some move to put
| the country in a better state of pre-
| raredness in case of war. 1t Is believed
| that so far as the navy is concerned
ular programme. aside from the reg
ular programme will be proposed until
after the lessons of the European wal
have been fully digested. The submar-
inc as handled by Germany has, it Is
understood, attracted the attention OF
our experts in this country and tn,
problem now is what effective meas
ures can be adopted that will protec
the battleship from the hidden attacks
of this terror of the sea.
Il However. even with all these smol
dering questions up the sleeves o.
various and sundry statesmen the ad
ministration hopes to finish the ap
u preparation bills and confine this SEES
u sion as near as possible to thai
4 programme, and then quit promptly OF
| March 4. Leaders are anxious to Sc,
how the business of the nation re
I spends to the legislation already en-
acted and to this end a breathing spell
SO far as further legislation Is con
cerned. is, in their opinion. very de
sirable.
So next summer may be confidently
locked forward to as that breathing
SPELL The country will get 1t, IL moth
ing unforeseen arises to prevent.