The Washington times., 1915-01-11
EXTRA SESSION PLAN
ALREADY UNDER WAY
Congress Prepared for Big Pro-
gram as Possibilities Are In.
creasing.

Congress will be disposed to take up Il
big program Of legislation II II is called
in extra session next spring or summer.
1t will by no means be disposed to con-
fine itself to one or a few measures
which the President may see fit 10 map
out for It,
This II the talk about the Capitol to-
day, where the proba bilities OF an extra
session are looked on as increasing.
Many members have bills Of Importance
which they will insist on pressing II
there is smother all-summer sitting OF
Congress.
on the whole, the indications that
there will be an extra session are more
pronounced than they were before the
holiday recess. Prior to the holiday
recess. the real situation at both ends
OF the Capitol did not develop. The
House seemed TO make rapid progress
OIL appropriation bills and this caused
the belief to be strong that an extra
session would be avoided.
Protracted Debates.
Since the recess. it has become plain
| that Il il going to take lot Of time TO
pass the ship purchase bill, the Philip
pine bill and the appropriation bills
through the senate. to say nothing Of
the conservation bills which the Presi-
mt has recommended. The ship pur-
| chase bill will lead to protracted de-
bate. Nobody knows how long this
debate will be. And there Is a DISPOSE
| ton to devote much time to the ap-
preparation bills. 1t is open to doubt
| whether the Senate would be able to
nsht out the differences on tho amp
purchase bill and OH the appropriation
bills before March II it took up nothing
| else.
President Wilson has indicated that
he will call an extra session II TIE Ship
purchase bill is not disposed Of. He will
not call one on account OF rural credits
or on account OF the Philippine or con-
| servation bills, though II any or these
measures are not acted on IT. ~ pre-
sumcd he would include them in such
q program as he might map out lof
special session.
Opposition of Two Kinds.
! The ship purchase bill Is encounterins
opposition Of two kinds. 1t is opposed
bv a large number Of Senators. espe-
cially New England and Eastern Re
publicans. on the ground that. as
matter of principle. the Government
ought not to 60 into the transportation
business. 1t is also opposed by num-
| ber of Senators, especially Progressive
Republicans. who think the Administra-
ton bill full of holes, and say 1t will
not work and will bring discredit on
the Government ownership movement if
it is passed in It's present form. These
Senators would overhaul the bill and
strengthen what they regard AZ its de-
fects.
Thus the opposition to the bill is in
part a filibuster ana in part an effort
to make a stronger bill. This opera
ton will take time. With the middle
of January almost at hand. with only
| about a month and a half left for
ceTtainty esi the snip purchase bin will
be enacted, especially In view Of the
di isposition to do a lot Of talking
about appropriations.
Time On Appropriations.
| Part Of the desire to talk about ao-
propriations is born OF a purpose to
| nlibuster against the ship purchase
bill and part Of 1t is due to the feel
| ing that tho Senate in the past has
given too little notice to expenditures.
II the extra session does come there
| will be strong pressure for legislation
! Of a social nature, such as child labor
Legislation. Conscrvationists will in
| sist that thero be an end OF talking
and an era Of lawnaklns. The
1 friends of rural credits legislation
will re especially insistent that this
great subject be dealt with in COM
| Pure fabrics legislation will be de-
! manded. The prohib!tionists and the
suffrs gists will once more vigorously
bestir hemselves. Efforts will be
MADE to prcss the Government owner
! ship OF telephones and tele8raphs.
| The national defense question will be
pressed to the front. Corrupt prac-
tices will be a theme for various bills
action on which will be urged. And
so on.
| Much of this proposed legislation
has been held back and dar,med up
by one device and another for years.
, Some Of 1t cannot be blocked much
! longer and the extra session. il it
eventuates. may grind out big srist
| Of statutes.