Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-01-02
CROWDED PROGRAM
BEFORE CONGRESS
Accumulation of Work Must Be
Disposed Of Before Adjourn
mcnt on March 4.
MEMBERS READY FOR WORK
Railroad Issue and Revenue Def
cits to Be Given Immedi-
ate Attention.
~ As.nrfaie.Irr..,

WASIiiNGrON. January l.-Mcm.
hers Of Congress were returning TO
Washington tonight from their Christ,
mas holiday. prepared I" get down to
hard work tho accumulation of
legislation that must hc dealt with
before adjournment on March /.
With railroad Legislation and revenue
deficits confronting them as unusual
issues. the rank and file are determined
To labor with Will to clear The way
OF routine business. particularly the
appropriation bills. which must bo
completed before tn" actual revenue
needs can be definitely established
Estimates on all these measures. in
cluding especially tho extra heavy
army and navy supply bills. arc in
hand, giving tho H0us. Ways and
Means Committee enough information
upon which to frame revenue lcEisIa-
tion a once.
Appropriation measures VIII he con-
sSicrod in the Senate immcdia,elv. tho
Indian bill probably being tho frs,
taken up. while various committees
arc engaged in paving tho way for
consideration of r. ilroad measures. a
corrupt practices bin and other gen
- o. ~ y dN''I. libuSe. "nitn all
ready has passed five appropriation
bills. still has nine more to work out.
and will approach that task vigorously
with night sessions in prospect for
tho near future.
DO Not LIKE TALK
OF EXTRA SESSION
Returning members who were rc-
elected do not like tho talk Of an extra
session. and declare they arc willing
I" work night and day 10 avert ono.
They insist that none Will bc ncces-
sary unless action by Congress on the
railroad legislation proposed by the
President should hc held MP. Even in
that event. all arc not satisfied that
tho President would call an extra
session for this purpose.
Upon tho reconvcning Of Congress
tomorrow. interest Will center in
hearings before tho Senate Commerce
Committee on President Wilson'S
recommendations for legislation to sup
plement the Adamson law. which was
enaetru to become effective to-day. and
the constitutionality of which is to
be argued in the Supreme Court next
week.
Representatives Of the EMPLOYERS.
brotherhoods. the railroads Of the coun-
try and the general public have been
invited 10 appear before the committee e
by cha irman Newlands. The attitude
OF the brotherhood officials is known
10 be antagonistic TO the Presidents
recommendations that Congress enact
law which would make railroad
strikes unlawful pending period of
investigation OF disputes by an Of
fetal board OF inquir., should media
ton by board of Cancellation fail to
settle threatened trouble. An alterna
tive suggestion is expected in the
form OF a law which would provide for
compulsory investigation of disputes
between railroad managers and their
employees. but which would not deny
the right 10 strike pending outcome
OF an inquiry.
UNDERWOOD PROPOSAL.
ALSO BEFORE COMMITTEE,
Besides the original arbitration and
strike prevention bill. the committee
also will have before il a proposal by
Senator Underwood which ,-ould give
the Interstate Commerce Commission
the right to fix wages aud conditions
OF employment Of railway workers
Opposition To the general legislative
scheme is developing in both branches
of Congress. so much SO as TO arouse
misgivings as to whether anything can
he accomplished by March 1. If moth
ing is done. some IN embers of Congress
believe that the President may call an
extra session 10 deal with the problem