The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1918-12-03
CONGRESS FACES
MANY PROBLEMS
SHORT SESSION PROMISES TO BE
ONE OF THE BUSIEST IN
HISTORY OF NATION.
Postwar Issues Sure to Demand LARGE
Share Of Solon's Attention, the
Problem Of Reconstruction Be-
Ing One Of Most Pressing.

Ing One Of Most Pressing.
Washingt0n.-The program proyis-
lonally laid out for the coming session
Of congress indicates that in the three
months between December 2 and
March both the senate and the house
will have about the busiest time In
their history. In addition to the regu-
lar appropriation measures which
have to be passed, there are bound to
crop up any number Of issues grow
ing out Of the war and the peace con-
ference that will crowd the session
full of events that will attract the
public interest.
The biggest legislative issue that
will come before the congress will be
the problem Of reconstruction and the
legislation that may be required to
make 1t effective. The president has
indicated he does not favor the Gre
alton OF a special commission, but
would prefer to have the problems of
reconstruction worked out by war
boards already constituted, to which
he could transfer what authority might
be needed to proceed.
Nevertheless, the Republicans in the
senate are committed to program Of
creating six joint congressional COM
mittees, each Of which Is to have d.
rection of all legislation ON particu-
lar subject involving the reconstruc-
ton settlement. If by any chance ac-
ton on the subject should be delayed
until the new congress comes in, the
Republicans would be able to force this
program through, although they prob
ably will not be able to pass it over a
veto by the president.
The revenue bill, which has been hang
ing fire in congress since early in May,
will be before the senate early in the
session, according to plans of the sen
ate finance committee, which has con-
cluded its work on the measure The
bill is due for prolonged fight in the
senate because Of provisions fixing the
maximum amount Of revenue to be
raised in the 1920 collections. These
provisions were put into the bill by
the solid vote of the Democratic men,
bers Of the committee over the opposi-
ton of the seven Republican members.
The Republicans take the position that
such a measure is unfair to the new
congress, in that 1t seeks to tie the
hands of the Republican majority a
year In advance Of the time when the
bill becomes effective. They will fight
the bill in the senate even to the ex-
tent Of holding up its passage in order
to make an extra session Of congress
unavoidable.
The appropriation measures, which
during the war period were passed al
most without question and merely
upon the recommendations of the
heads Of departments, will be subject.
ed to the closest scrutiny. Both repre-
sentatives and senators are deter.
mined to force strict economy upon all
the departments of the government,
and they will prune the appropria.
tons in every direction whenever pos
sible.
The issue of government ownership
undoubtedly will be in the foreground
in the coming session. The lines for
this battle already are being drawn
between administration officials who
believe that the railroads, telegraphs,
telephones, express companies and
cables now under the control Of the
government should be retained, and
those who are fatty opposed to gov
eminent ownership or control in any
form whatsoever.