Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-01-03
DIFFICULT TO PREVENT
DISCUSSION OF PERSIA
Leaders In Congress May Find 1t
Impossible to Restrain Members
BREW aReeehMAktns,
GRAVE LE0IsLArlpN AHEAD
Senate and Houss VIII Reconvene
To.bey Win MeMeRtsNx Tasks
Before Them-Foreign Relations
and Preparedness VIII Dominate.

WASHINGTON. January 2-congress
| reconrenes Tomorrow to begin serious
consideration OF momentous legislation
confronting Il. Refere the holiday re-
cess little was accomplished beyond or
| ganIzatian and extenstaR p( the emsr-
Soncy war revenue law.
During the preliminary tive weeks
1here were assurances on every hand
that foreign reiutiops and preparedness
would he tho dominating features OF
the session, Important international
events since the recess have served to
make Indications stronger than ever
that the Legislative branch win seek all
available infavmatipR IN possession of
the government relating to foreign
complications.
DISCUSSION aE PEnRIA
HARDLY CAN BE PREVENTED
Administration leaders probably will
ind II d!fficult to prevent speech
convenea regarding the recent sinking
Of tho ps.,ish steamer Persia IN the
Medlterranesn, in witch IN American
consular oficial Is reported to have
persisted.
PendIAB before the 6enste Committee
on Foreign Relations Ia tho resolution
by Senator Hoke smith. urging inves-
'lgatlon into British iR,sfferences with
neutral shipping. and tho Lodge amend
ment directing also that Investigation
be made into tho Claw and tbs faets''
concerning destruction OF the Lusitania.
other attacks upon vessels imperilinK
American lives and tho conspiracy
against neutrality "within our Dor
ders" to which President Wilson re-
ferred In his annual address to tho
Congress.
Senator Hoke Smith has prepared an
other address on the commercial sit
uation. with cotton as his particular
subject. which he expects to deliver
Hoon after the Senate meets
The Military and Naval Affairs Com
mittees OF both houses have been
studying the nutionai preparedness
program during the recess House
committees AFRO contemplating public
hearings. which probably will extend
for long period. Senate committees.
meantime. will study the bills sub
mitted and map out programs or pro
cedure.
REVENUE SITUATION
COMMANDS ATTENTION
Tho revenue situation siso Will COM
maRd Immediate attention. Rcpressn-
tatiVe Ritchin. majority leader, and
chairman OF the Ways and Means Com
mlttee. plans 10 call his committee to-
sefher without delay to take up this
problem. Senator Simmaps. chairman
OF the Finance Committee, aIss con.
templates frequent meetings OF Demo-
cratic Members to study financial prob
lens. First to be considered will be-
amendment OF tho war revenue law.
wh'ch wna re-enaoted hurTiedIy tust
before recess. with tho general under
standing that amendments would ba
proposed to Increase lts revenus,pro-
ducinH power, Involved In this are is
aues likely to provoke wide divergence
OF views. among them the suggestions
to tax gasoline, automobiles, horse
power. steel products and other articles
or commerce and a stamp tax on bank
Checks. Amendment Of the income "a.
and inheritance tax also are to be given
serious thought.
Much general legislation 10 on tho
program for consideration as aoon as
the preparedness and defense questions
are out OF tn. way. a bill to create a.
iand-Ioan banking system and another
to develop mineral resources on lands
nave been practically completed by
House committees during tho ho,idavs