The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-01-12
CONGRESS
MAY RUN OVER
Indications Are That Extra
Session Will be Neces-
sary
WAR REVENUE
WILL NEED REVISION
Session, If 1t Is Called, May
Come in Month of
October

Washington, Jan. l2-The tide OF lex
ira session" talk is running strong among
members of Congress, both because OF
the probable necessity Of raising more
revenues, and because of the hitch in
the Senate over the passage OF the presl-
dents ship purchase bill. There is a
prevailing opinion that an extra session
is not unlikely. Even though the bill
should finally be put through the Sen
ate, it must still run the gauntlet Of
the House, where it is said that Repu5-
lican opposition viii be almost unanl-
nous, with the likelihood that not few
Democrats would refuse to "stay
hitched" when the attempt to force it
through as a party measure is made,
as it undoubtedly will be.
The ship purchase bill, however, IS
not the only contingency that members
think may force an extra session. Be-
cause the chances seem good for pro-
longation of the European war at least
throughout the coming year, it is be-
lieved that the president may decide
that Congress ought to remain here.
Since his note TO Great Britain that
American eargoes must not be interfered
with, the possibility that the president
may need the advice of committees OF
both the House and the Senate which
deal with foreign affairs is said to be
assuming larger proportions. This adj
vice he could not get conveniently il
Congress were to adjourn.
At the same time, it is said, the presi
dent does not wish to give this openly
as reason for wanting an extra ses-
sion. For him to assign such reason
would be to lay too great stress on
the foreign situation, which is admitted.
ly delicate. ~ would be far easier for
him TO declare that the ship purchase
bin must pass; or he might easily put
some of the big supply bills over as a
reason for calling Congress in extra SEES
sion after March 4.
Furthermore, the war revenue ques
tion is giving not a little concern to the
Democratic leaders They are beginning
to wonder what will happen if the Eu-
ropean struggle is not concluded soon.
For reasons that appertain less TO the
humanitarian phase OF things than to
American politics, they are fervently
hoping that there viii be signs of speedy
revival of trade between the United
States and the belligerents.
The Democratic leaders, in other |
words, are looking ahead 90 the time 1
when a new war revenue measure may 4
be necessary. For if the war continues
there will doubtless be demand either 1
70 the extension of the present law for /
another year, or for the enactment OF a
new law.
As 1915 approaches the Democratic
political captains do not like 20 enter
upon presidential campaign with war
tax and cut appropriations. As mat
ter of fact, the appropriations are not
being reduced. Hence there looms up
before the American people the pros
peet OF having TO bear war tax for an
time. The present war tax
will run through 1915. Estimates Ia
ways and means circles are that the Gus
toms revenue will run behind about $50.
100000 before the end of this fiscal
year Never popular with Congress or
he people, il Is not unlikely that the
lre4ent war tax statutes will need over
hauling. II Congress were not 70 meet
intn next December there would hardly
be- time enough 10 10 il before the pres
mt law expires. Some members have
that il an extra session i nee
.ssary i could be- deferred until Septem.
per or October Even when there =
liver fun OF ice on the Potomac. mem
'crs Of Congress shudder % think Of