Evening star., 1915-05-22
Representative Kitchin, Next
House Leader, Expects Call
for October l..
SENATOR LEWIS FAVORS
AN EARLY ASSEMBLING
Most Important Matter to Be Taken
Up Is Treasury's Finances,
Though There Are Others.

Talk of an extra session of Congress.
to be called by President Wilson this
fall. beginning about October 1. has
been renewed by the suggestion of
Representative Claude Kitchin. demo-
cratic leader In the next House. that
he would not be surprised II the Presi-
dent felt 1t advisa BILE to have Congress
begin Its work two months earlier
than the regular meeting date.
Senator James Hamilton Lewis OF H.
linois, who. months ago, went on rec
ord in favor of Congress being called
into session October 1, is in Washing
ton and called at the White House to-
day. He said that he was of the same
opinion now. regarding an extra ses-
sion
III had my way about things" said
Senator Lewis. II would have Congress
meet October l and proceed to its bust
by May that Congress may not be
working while the national conventions
are on.
Would Reorganize Finances.
Regarding the talk of the financial
status Of the Treasury. II 1t were left
to me to recommend l would at once
recognize that the estimates under the
income tax, the corporation tax and
the tariff tax have all failed because Of
the European war and Its effect upon
business generally.
Then. to meet any deficits I would
avoid any further personal tax upon
the citizen, suggest the issue OF
s50o.000,000 bonds. pay of any money
we owe and put by sinking fund to
r1on f11f laAo n
these millions in building up the forti-
f1cations of the coasts of the country
thus giving work to unemployed. and
then, as business resumes its normal
state, pay off these bonds out of the
excess revenues procured. would
issue would be popular and to be pos
sessed by the ordinary citizen"
There have been intimations from
sources close to the White House that
the President is not much taken with
the idea of an extra session, but 1t is
understood that various elements of the
democratic party are likely to begin
efforts for such a session and 1t will be
up to the President to determine the
question within the next two or three
months.
Revenue Problem Main Reason.
Mr. Kitchin regards the revenue
ira session. calling attention to the
greatly decreased income due to the
fewer imports on account of the Eu-
ropean war and the falling OF in the
returns from the income tax. the pay
ment of which will begin next month.
Treasury officials have not been worried
over the deficit problem and stand out
strongly against suggestions of q
Panama bond issue.
For many years now the Treasury
has been paying the expenditures Of
regular receipts of the government, al
though the law providing for the canal
contemplated that the expenses should
be paid from a bond issue. which was
authorized.
1t Is realized by many Treasury Of
fcials that there could be no dispute
of the right of the Treasury to reim-
burse itself for Panama expenditures,
but this would not prevent the idea
going abroad among those not well
informed on financial affairs that the
Treasury had gotten in bad under the
democrats and that bond issue was
all that would save the finances.
Other Reasons for Extra Session.
Causes for a possible extra session
are seen in many other things than
the revenues Of tho Treasury. There
are many things to be disposed of at
the next session of Congress, and in
fuental democratic leaders like Senator
Lewis want the work Of Congress TO end
as early in the spring as possible
Louisiana democrats want an extra
session to get before the country a
complete a ring of their claim that II
the free sugar provision of the exist
ing tariff laws goes into effect next
spring. as is provided. the sugar in
dustry of that state will be paralyzed,
and many millions of dollars lost.
Democratic leaders say that the ship
purchase bill fight will be renewed
when Congress meets. That in itself
is a fight Of such magnitude as to
mean many months. The Philippines
bill and tho promised conservation
legislation are also proposed for con-