Evening journal., 1916-05-05
CONGRESS- TO STICK
TO JOB ALL SUMNER
May Not Finish lis Work
Until October, Leaders
Believe
NOW FACING THE
DOG DAY SESSIONS

meeting OF the steering committee OF
the Senate it was disclosed that the
responsible leaders are convinced that
Congress VIII be unable to complete
its labors before the end OF August,
with a strong probability that the
session may be projected late into the
fall.
At the instance Of the Administra-
tion the committee set about to devise
a legislative programme with a view
to speeding up and shortening the ses-
sion as much as possible. Il was
brought out that the Administration
is committed TO a number OF PROPOSE
tions upon which IL will demand &C
ton. even II Congress remains con-
tinuously in session until December
when the final session OF this Con-
gress will be called to order. Here is
the legislative program to which the
Administration is committed:
Army and navy reorganization bills
Shipping bill.
Conservation bills.
Revenue legislation 10 give effect
to the defence bills.
Good roads and rural credit bills.
Child labor bills.
In addition there are number O
measures that will consume time II
which the Administration has little ol
no interest. all OF which have stroni
support in Congress Among them are
the Burnett bill imposing an illiteracl
test on immigrants. the river ant
harbor bill and other legislation OF 8
local character.
House in Better Shape.
In the House things are in sucl
shape that an adjournment in mid
summer might be brought about i
some way could be found to expedite
things in the Senate. But the Senat
moves slowly and cannot be brough
10 time either by threats or cajoier!
by the Administration or the steerini
committee.
Indications are that the State vii
devote weeks To a discussion Of tn
Brandeis nomination TO the Suprem
Court. and while this debate is il
progress the chances are that no con
sideration will he given 10 legislation
despite the general desire Of the law
makers for as early an adjournmen
as possible.
AZ a recent meeting Of the Senat
steering committee il was decided tha
the good roads bill should be take
up following action on the rural cred
its bill. II is then planned TO take u
the appropriation bills as they com
from the House. The child labor bill
which already has been acted upon b
the House. will be sandwiched in be
tween appropriation bills. Debate o
this measure is expected 10 he brie
This is as far as the committee wen
in making up a legislative program
II present plans are carried out tn
naval bill will be reported TO tn
House next week. Following thi
Chairman lSitchin and his Democrat
associates will go TO work on the bi
10 raise additional revenues for do
fence The Merchant Marine Commit
tee is about ready TO make a report o
the shipping bill. but the chances ar
that Il will be held in committee unit
the naval budget has been transmitte
10 the Senate.
I'm Session Five MOnhs.
Congress has now been in sessio
more than five months. but very littl
has been accomplished. A part OF tn
national defence program Is well Vt
der way. The army reorganizatio
bill Is in conference with prospects +.
vOrable for an early agreement.
However. the Administration Is
little worried over the naval bulge
While the President and his adviser
are satisfied that the naval bill wi
become a law substantially as repor
cd TO the House. providing for hi
program Of extension, they are fearf'
that debate on the measure will
prolonged.
The naval bill generally eats up
lot OF time in the Senate. and as IN
measure now presents a livelier polit
cal issue than ever the Administratio
is apprehensive that the budget ma
he held up beyond July 1. the begil
ming OF the new fiscal year.
II is admitted on all hands that q
things now stand Congress will sti
be on the job during the dog day
with a probability that II may not pl
up the shutters until some time
September or October.
It is recalled that Congress sat dui
ing the convention period OF 1912. an
did not finish up until August OF III;
year. With the Administration stan,
ing pat on the most cOmprehensiN
legislative program that has been pr'
posed in recent years all hope OF a
early adjournment has been abal
doned.