Evening star., 1918-11-17
CONGRESS EXPECTS
AN N.EXTRA SESSION
Almost Unanimous Opinion of
Members of Both Po-
.IiticaI Sides.
LOOK TO RECONSTRUCTION

That Congress will be called in ex-
ira session promptly after the ex-
piration of the short term, which
runs from December to March },
now seems inevitable. 1t is the prac-
tically unanimous opinion of mem
bers in both houses of Congress and
on both political sides of each house
that this must be done.
The extra session seems necessary
for two reasons: First, because 1t IS
highly improbable that the important
appropriation bills can be passed in
the short session; second, because II
is imperative that reconstructloh
measures be passed to meet the un-
precedented conditions which vltaliy
affect the domestic industries and the
foreign commerce of the nation.
Must Consider Appropriations.
This fact stands out, that the
democrats in control heretofore with
but one exception have been unaple
to pass their appropriation p1lls III
the short session and they conse-
ouently have had to run over 10 spe-
cial sessions. LII.
have yet to be drafted and passed
by both houses. The estimates are
only just being made by the various
government departments and estap-
lishments.
The food stimulation bill is also
awaiting agreement between the two
houses This has been delayed pc
cause 1t carried two riders. the So
called Pomerene anti-rent pronteerins
amendment and the wartime pronlol-
hi mo
Iy to be disposed of very soon.
! From now on the appropriation
measures will be carefully watched.
All funds that seem necessary Tor
clearing up war obligations viii be
voted without contests. but projects
that do not appear as war necessities
will be carefully scrutfnized and great
care will be exercised with a view to
retrenchment all along the line.
This scrutiny and care mean the
consumption Of time, and as things
now stand it would come pretty close
to requiring unanimous consent to
pass Ghe appropriation measures in
the short session. 1t is certainty
that few unanimous consents will be
given
Revenue Bill Unsettled.
The war revenue bill. on which the
House committee worked for four
months, with which the Senate COM
mittee has now been wrestling for
two months and which it is tearing
to pieces. is in such shape that the
two houses can hardly reach an agree
ment in the present unsettled cond1-
tions during the short session. espe-
cially since the impending change in
control will foster political cross
pulling. This bill carries more than
double the amount Of internal rev.
enue taxes incorporated in any bill
ever presented to 1aw-making body
in any country in the world. and with
the war practically over members OF
both houses of Congress see a need
to change it materially from what
seemed necessary with the length OF
the war uncertain.
Now that the aImistice has been
signed and the formal proclamation
of peace seems possible within the
life of the short session, with the
various war work establishments au-
tomatically going out Of existence on
the day peace is declared or within
q few months after, the need is seen
for some definite reconstruction or
ganization to take charge of business
readjustment during the trying Pc
riod covering the return from a wal
i, program to a peace program.
taken over as matter of national
defense and safeguard are to go back
into private ownership Immediately.
Most of the. wartime control ar
rangements extend for six months
after peace. The railroads remain
under government control and opera
! ton for twenty-one months after
the end Of the war. During that
period there will be need. political
| leaders say, Of careful legislative
consideration Of governmental pol.
icies.