The daily Alaskan., 1917-01-15
By ARTHUR w. DUNN.

ty-flfth congress when 1t assemblies. Most of them are becoming convinced that there is to be great deal of trou- ble for the next congress. It Is scarce ly possible for the present short ses- sion to take care of the deficit which faces the treasury, and 1t will devolVe upon the next congress to devise meth ods of taxation which will pay the very great expenditures authorized by the present congress and which must be continued for years to come.
 The Republicans who would like to organize the next house are those who will be benefited in the way Of posi- tions and important chairmanships. That is natural. All men look out for their own personal interests first, and good positions on committees and else where is important to the average member. But at present the majority of the Republicans think 1t would be good thing to let the Democrats con trol all branches of legislation during the coming two years.
 Extra Session Threat.
 Two years ago President Wilson was very glad to avoid an extra ses- sion of congress, and 1t is supposed that he would be perfectly willing to see the present session clear up all business by the time 1t adjourns. But he has set his mind on a program and has already indicated a disposition to cau an extra session If his recommen- dations are not carried out. AS gen. eral thing a threat of an extra session causes congress to work hard, and that may follow the intimation from tho White House at this time.
 Want Their Share.
 The thunders of the economists in the house avail nothing when there IS enough of so called pork" in sight to secure votes. Take the subtreasuries, which have been pronounced useless since the federal reserve act went Into effect. When an attempt was made to abolish them the cities having such sub- treasuries rallied their forces and voted down the committee on appropriations at every point.
 Large Black Population.
 While the prohibition bill for the Dis trict of Columbia was under discussion the statement was made to the senate that there were 100000 negroes in Washington. Senator Gallinger of New Hampshire, who is well informed in re- gard to capital conditions, thought the number was placed too high, but it Is a fact that nearly one-third of the pop ulation of the national capital is black. The negroes have been coming to Wash ington ever since the civil war ended.
 Constitution In the Way.
 The constitution of the United States is made to bear a burden in every ef- fort to pass legislation. The constitu- tion was dragged out several times and held up as a barrier to action during the discussion of the prohibition bill for the District of Columbia. For in- stance 1t was declared to be impOssi- ble to let the people of Washington vote on the question because the con- stituton stood in the way. Then 1t was also said that 1t was against the constitution to say how much or how little liquor an individual might keep in his house. h fact, the constitution served quite a purpose in prolonging the debate.
 For the Babies.
 Members of the house were striving to secure an additional appropriation for the children's bureau and the cry of lack of money was raised.
 "We are going to appropriate at this session of congress-" remarked Minor ity Leader Mann, possibly close to $2,0O0,OOO00O, large share of which will be for the purpose of possible en- gagement in the destruction of human beings through a defensive war. It seems to me that we may well add a little appropriation in order that the country may properly care for the ba- bies."
 Mann Is SIangy.
 Jim Mann insists upon the use Of cor rect English in legislation, but be some times falls into slang when talking in the house. Coady of Baltimore was making a strong fight for the retention of a subtreasury in Baltimore. "You have to appear here and advocate 1t" remarked Mann, who was against the subtreasuries. "You are urging the con tinuatiOn of the subtreasury in Balh- more because your leg has been pulled by It."
 High Cost Continues.
 One-third of the session of congress has passed and no action taken look ing to the reduction of the high cost of living. There have been any num- Der of suggestions, but so far no one has been able to see how to regulate supply and demand so as to keep prices from going sky high in times nke these.