The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-06-27
To
KEEP OPE n
INDEFINENTLY
N ew Developments Are
Constantly Arising, Re-
quiring Action.
AIRPLANE DEPT.
IS NOW PROPOSED
Government c ontrol of
Food, Coal, and Metal
Prices; Tax Bill, Too.
Washington Bureau.
Pensacola Journal

Pensacola Journal
Washington. D. c.. June 26-Con-
gress will be in Washington until
the dog days" and then some, is
the opinion of the wise ones about the
capitol, who have been watching the
ways of the solons for many years.
When the session first opened, it
was common talk that the session
would end by June 1. Then the date
was showed back to July l. Now,
some of the most optimistic talk of
getting away by August /. The less
optimistic predict September 1, while
the pessimists assert the extra ses-
sion will run into the regular one,
December 1.
While the extra session may not
continue through the fall, it is prob
able it will not end until mid-August.
The latter part Of August in recent
years has been a favoritc time for
closing the session, and history may
again repeat itself
On the other hand, there is unuues-
tionably a strong sentiment in con-
gress in favor of remaining in SEES
sion practically without interruption
while the war lasts. Many have sug-
gested disposing of the most urgent
business andsthen taking a short re-
cess of perhaps a month and then
recovering.
The developments of this war SEES
sion have shown that new develop
ments are continually arising which
have to be met. For this reason it is
by no means impossible the session
will roach faV. into %ha foil
For instance, at the outset Of the
pectation that the aeronautic question
important before congress. That mat
ter was not taken into account except
in the sense that it was expected
there would be a large appropriation
for aeronautics in connection with
the navy and army budgets.
Now it is proposed to organize a
department of aeronautics and that
an appropriation of 100000, 900, or
even more, be made for aerial devel-
opment. This appropriation will be
recommended by the administration,
The probabilities are congress will
adopt the plan, but it will involve con-
siderable discussion.
Government control of coal and
metal prices is a new issue which has
lately been acute in congress and no
doubt will be met.
Numerous other propositions might
be mentioned which have arisen and
will become prominent although little
was heard of them at the beginning
of the session.
The more the United States be-
| comes involved in the war, the more
| legislative questions of Importance
can be expected to force themselves
to the front.
Remaining for consideration in the
way of first-class legislation contain.
| ed in the administration original
| program, are the food control bill
passed by the house Saturday, but
| still before the senate; the war tar
bill, passed by the house a month ago
| but still in the senate committee, and
the Webb export bill.
All these measures can probably be
! enacted in about two months. The
| food control bill will consume the re
mainder of this month in the senate
and perhaps longer. On the war tar
| bill the senate will take about {
month in discussion, and at least two
weeks more will be consumed in ad
iusting the differences between thu
two houses on the bill, inasmuch a!
the bill as it now stands in the sen
ate committee is a vastly differen
measure from that which passed tht
house.
This would appear to make it GER
tain that CONGRESS- will have but yer!
little time off between now and thu
time of converting in December t.
take up the regular appropriation
bills and other current legislation.