The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-05


 Washington, December 4.-tSpecinl.l And now, after so much discussion, Congress convcnes.
 The message of the President was returned from the printer Friday. It has been revised, and is ready for presentation to both houses. The Sixty fourth Congress is destined to be of more than ordinary interest. Of coudse preparedness will be the big issue. But the democrats, in the begin ming, must make financial arrangements to cover ordinary or routine expenses, and to cover the extraordinary expense incident to preparing for the emergen- cies of. the future
 It is d safe guess that Congress will re- new the special war tax, which will not be effective after December s1 this year. It Is alsosa safe guess that Congress will extend the duty on sugar which in the beginning was levied for period to ex- pire in May next year.
 Secretary McAdoo, as is remembered has already suggested methods by means of which in his opinion the extraordinary expenses incident to putting into opera ton the ''preparedness" programme can be met. He declares that the income ex- emptions on bachelors should be reduced from $S00o to s2Ooo, and on married men from $4OOO to $soo0, and that if necessary, . surtax should be imposed
 THE SHIP PURCHASE BILL
 It Is said to be the intention of admin istration leaders to renew their fight Of last session in the interest of the ship purchase bill immediately after the ground work in behalf of "preparedness' has been completed. Last session as is remembered, a hand full of democratic senators. by uniting their strength with that of the republicans in a filibuster, out generalled the administration forces, and practically side-tracked the bill Since that time, however, the administration, it is said, has materially modified the bill in such particulars that it will be no longer as offensive to it's opponents as in ether days. As readers of The Age-Her aid recall, Senator Bankhead, one of the leaders of the opposition last winter has stated that if the bill has been changed as Secretary McAdoo in a speech deliv- cred some weeks ago in Boston, indicated, ne WOulQ DC tWll-ilS to SjNG II HIS sup port. It is said that other so-called re- calcitrant senators will follow the lead of the Alabamian, and that the dissention within the party will be reduced to a minimum.
 THE PARTY SPLIT
 Respecting all these measures, there is deep interest on the part of members of Congress. Very little in the nature of publicity is possible of production. Sen ators and representatives have evidently adopted the policy of '.watchful waiting" !" But that there is surplus of pent-up emotion, restrained feeling" is definitely determined.
 The attitude of Representative Kitch- insp house leader. his position of frank opposition to the preparedness" pro gramme of the administration, with the inevitable consequent of divided rather than harmonious and militant democ- racy, is pregnant with serious possioili- ties which will reflect themselves in the ensuing national campaign.
 The democrats are confronted with the necessity of accomplishing big things and of so acting as best calculated to i1- fuence the voters of the country at one and the same time Because of this fact, there is extreme regret on the part of political observers that the President and the leader, by virtue of his position. in possession of remarkable power, are at loggerheads. sst
 'All will be welI, publicly declare iem- ocratic political leaders. But the manner fin which the republicans sniile-inwardly rejoice-is regarded as significant in the extreme.