Evening star., 1917-12-05
CHAIRMAN K|TCH|N
OUTLINES PROGRAM
Says Suffrage and Prohibition
Will Be Acted on Before
Christmas Recess.
WANTS TO ADJOURN EARLY

Majority Leader Kitchin, in a state
ment made on the floor of the House to-
day, outlined the work of this session of
Congress. He said there will be the
usual Christmas xecess and that before
Isaeess q taken the Honse will have acted
upon woman Suffrage and prohibition.
He thought that for THE remainder OF
the session legislation would be con-
fined to the appropriation bills. to war
measures. to conservation bills. to PEN
sions and to bills already on the calep-
dar reported at the last session.
Mr.. Kitchin's statement was brought
forth by a question from Representa-
tive Moore Of Pennsylvania in behalf
CT the minority who requested an
opinion as to the nature Of the work
Of this session.
asked Majority Leader Kitchin If he did
not think that the Christmas recess should
be eliminated.
Thinks Recess Imperative.
"No. sir" replied Mr.. Kitchin. "and I
will tell you why. I think about two
thirds Of us find it necessary to go nome
for a week or two. 1 have to 60 home
to arrange with my creditors for next
wear. We wouldn't facilitate final ad-
journment of Congress by cutting out
the recess. This House can get through
when 1t makes up its mind and l think
the House will do so by May or June.
The trouble is the Senate will not make
up its mind to adjourn and we can't
hurry the Senate"
They may improve" drawled Speaker
Clark. amid the laughter of the House
1r-s1 q
proysment," said Mr. .,;hn, Kitchin sn..p.r
Clark. "is to get away some time before
have been going we. won't get away
until no telling when in November"
Mr.. Kitchin went on to say that after
are disposed Of he hoped the legislation
would comprise only appropriations,
conservation and other war measures.
Differ as to Difficulty.
Leaders Of Congress differed today as
to the difficulty Of putting through the
domestic legislation outlined to Con-
gress by President Wilson. Some party
managers regarded it as a lengthy
task. while others believed it could be
easily and rapidly completed.
Extension of the federal price-fixing
power was regarded as the most COM
plex problem. Alien enemy legislation
will be considered promptly. The De-
parlmenC OF Justice IS dra1t1nX Dill
to meet President Wilson's recon-
mendations.
A meeting tmorrow of the Senate
judiciary committee will take it up and
the committee also will proceed with
the soldiers and sailors civil rights
bill passed by the House last session.
Chairman Newlands of the Senate
interstate commerce committee said
he soon would confer with President
Wilson on the transportation legiSla-
tion.
House Leaders Differ.
The Presidents suggestion favorine
concentration Of appropriation bills in
a single House committee aroused a
substantial difference of view among
House leaders. Eight committees In
cluding the appropriations COMMITTEES
which originate the big supply bills
have fought for years against the con-
centration plan. which chairman Fitz-
gerald OF the appropriations commit
tee, has advocated
For hfteen years." said Mr.. Fitzger-
aid t"day, Il have given exhaustive
study 20 this question and I am con-
vinced that the first step in fiscal re-
form il the House must be concentra-
ton OF power and responsibility in a
single committee. With prospective
expenditures OF such magnftude as now
proposed. the Presidents recommenda-
tion should be adopted"
None OF the ranking members of the
other riatfons-reporting commit
tees have SO far indicated enthusiasm
for 1t, although in the House at large
thee Is said to be sentiment fayorinr
the plans.