The Washington herald., 1919-02-24
EXTRA SESSION
NOW APPEARS AS
ONLY SOLUTION
Legislative Business in Both
Houses in Worst Jam
in History.
EARLYDATESUGGESTED
Congress Will Be Unable to
Make Cleanup This
Week.
EARLYDATESUGGESTED


in which to work, leaders in the Sem
ate and House practically have de-
cided that It is useless to uttempt to
get through without an extra session.
The only question now concerning
Senators and Representatives is as to
when Congress is likely to be called
together.
The best information as to the Pres
ident's intentions Is that he will re-
main in the United States only a week
and will return to Paris before any
thing has been done toward issuing
a call for an extra session. Before
he goes, however. he undoubtedly will
be advised by Congressional leaders
that the extra session Is necessary
and that it would be well for him to
arrange to call it.
Leader KtChin, in the House, made
the authorized statement Saturday
that unless the $1,000, 10000 Victory
liberty loan act is passed by the
Senate Congress will have to be called
in session not later than April l.
The Treasury Department will be un-
able to proceed with the issuance
of the short term notes which are
to replace the Liberty bonds unless
the bill now before the House is
passed. 1t is expected that the House
will pass the bill some time this week.
Early Date Suggested.
April l is a good deal earlier than
has been suggested heretofore for the
TeassemblinS OF Congress. Admins
tration men in the Senate and House
have been preparing to advise the
President that May Is would be a
convenient time for the session to be-
gin. Many others thought the Treas
Ury might be able to stagger along
until some time in June
Notwithstanding the certainty that
only by almost superhuman efforts
can any of the important legislation
now crowdinS the House and Senate
calendars be passed, a great portion
Of the time Of the Senate during the
week will be taken up with the league
of-nations discussion which was
opened by Senators Poindexter, Borah
and Reed last week. Senators have
made up their minds to be heard on
this subject despite the Presidents
Injunction TO refrain from dicussion.
Senator James Hamilton Lewis, Of
Illinois. the majority whip. will open
the debate today with a prepared
speech in support OF the league-of-
nations plan. He will be followed on
Friday by Senator Lodge, of Massa-
Chusetts who will be one of those in
attendance at the White House dinner
Wednesday night when the subject
will be discussed with the President.
There may be several speeches by 9TH
or Senators between Monday and Fri
day.
Senator Lodge will be the first OF
those who attend the White House
dinner to address the Senate on the
subject. This will make his speech
one OF exceptional interest. Senators
will he kept guessing as to whether
the Massachusetts Senator will reveal
anything which the President may
impart at the dinner or whether Sen
ator Lodge may consider himself
bound in confidence to impart nothing
OF the discussion to the Senate.
Underwood seeks Action.
Senator Underwood, Of Alabama.
vico chairman of the Appropriations
Committee. has been patiently en-
deavorinC to get the Senate to act on
some Of the big supply bills which
are yet to be passed. The debate on
the league Of nations question and
other subjects has prevented consid-
cratihn Of these measures which are
absolutely essential to the carrying
on OF the government. He purposes
to make a determined effort during
the week to get some Of these apprO-
priatiOn bills passed. Night sessions
in both houses will be held if a
quorum can be induced to remain at
the Capitol.
The legislative situation in the
House is almost as bad as that in
'hH S0"0'" TIE bond bill is only one
Of the important measures not passed
ne SUndTy civil bill will come from
ne Appropriations Committee either
Odsy or tomorrow and the general
deficiency bill later in the week
These are the last of the supply bills
which have to be passed at each ses-
sion. 1t is probable the sundry civil
bill may be passed by Thursday
tight.
other important matters to be dis
'osed of are the conference report on
he war contract bill upon which the
;enate and House Conferees are in
deadlock; the bill to return to the
yoluntary enlistment plan for the
Irmy, which has been passed by both
louses over the objection of Secretary
Baker and Gen. March, and the cleo
ion contest between Britt and "Zeb"
Weaver in the Tenth North Carolina
district.
The report Of the special committee
which has been Investigating the
National Security League probably
viii be submitted to the House dur
.ng the week. In the Senate there
viii be the report from the subcom-
nittec Of the Judiciary Committee.
which has been investigating pro-
German propaganda.