Evening star., 1919-04-06
COMING CONGRESS
TO CONSIDER NEW
|NAUGURAT|ONDATE
Next Session Will Discuss
TaIked-Of Change From
March 4.
HOUSE. LEADER MONDELL
STUDYING THE MATTER
Seeks More Propitious Period for
Business, But Recognizes
Difficulties.

0uSlueSS, 0uI hCCOSulzcS
Difficulties.
Changing of the date for the presi-
Dental Inauguration. a move which
has long been desired by the residents
of the National Capital and by the
people in all parts of the country
who look forward to attending those
festivities. from March 4, when the
weather is usually stormy. to some
later date when the visitors can see
:, the capital at it's best, be relieved
from the danger Of getting pneumonia.
and when the marchers in. the great
parade will not be forced to wear
heavy overcoats, will be considered at
the incoming session of Congress.
Representative Frank w. Mondell
of Wyoming, who is to be House lead
er in the next Congress, is in favor
of changing the inaugural date, and
is now studying the related effect
upon Congress and legislation. with
view to presenting this matter to
the House at the earliest possible
date. He says he thinks it is highly
important that Congress should con-
slider this matter as soon as possible.
Usual Short Session Inadequate.
Briefly, Mr.. Mondell sees this need,
emphasized by the present situation
regarding appropriation bills that
failed of passage in the last Congress-.
\ L. 80 he
ment, the size and number of the ap-
preparation bills and the need for
closer scrutiny of all estimates with
the advance from a billion-dollar Con-
gress to a ten-biIlion-dollar Congress
like the one incoming has been grow
ing to such an extent that there fs
no longer time to give these supply
bills proper consideration in the usual
short session.
This erissa NJ the cerrslated ques-
ton of whether the outgoing Congressl
or the incoming Congress should ap-
prorriate for the next fiscal year. II
| the plan is to. have the new adminis-
tration handle its own supply bills.
the inaugural date and the opening
date of Congress would be advanced
to something like January 1. Natu-
to the people of the National Capital
If the plan adopted was to have the
outgoing Congress pass the supply
bills for the first fiscal year of the
new Congress the inaugural date could
be advanced. to warmer and more set
| tied weather.
Is Open to Conviction.
Mr.. -Mondell makes 1t evident that
he believes. it is better business for the
new administration and the new Con-
gress to handle it's own appropriation
measures, but at the same time he
| recognizes that there are very good
arguments in favor Of making the in
augural date later in the season. He
is not committed to any date. and is
studying the problem with an open
and unprejudiced mind, seeking a So
luton that will operate best for the
efficient dispatch Of government busi-
| ness.
| Mr. Mondell admitted yesterday that
he is preparing to advocate this re-
form in the coming Congress. Il am
| making a careful study Of the entire
subject of the change of dates Of con-
gressionaI sessions with aview to ad-
justing the sessions to the growing
legislative business Of the country"
he said. The study Of this question
necessarily involves a number Of 9TH
| .r related problems. which are of per-
haps equal Importance" he pointed
out, although they do not directly af-
feet the question OF legislation and
legislative sessions.
Must Change Dates Of Terms.
mo change in congressional ses-
sions. such as would seem to be nee
essary to meet the needs Of the sit
uation," he continued, "can be accom-
plished without changing the date of
the beginning and expiration Of presi-
Dental, congressional and senatorial
terms, and thus the date OF the presi-
Dental inaugural would be changed.
II am not prepared to express an
opinion as to which date for the in
augural should be selected-whether
earlier or later than at present IL
the inaugural date was fixed earlier
than March 4, 1t would probably be
In conformity with a plan to call the
new Congress into session for the
passing of appropriation bills for the
coming fiscal year. II tho date were.
made later, It would be as part Of the
plan In harmony with the present
practice Of having tho outgoing Con-
eress appropriate for the expendi-
lures during tho fret fiscal year Of
the now Congress. - -.
There are very good arguments on
both sides and !. have not yet settled
in my own mind just what will I'D
vocate. I now have the subject well
in hand and will be able to get 1t In.
condensed shape for presentation.
early In the coming session.
There Are Many Plans.
''There are . number Of different
plans. each Of which has excellent
arguments in Its favor. ! am not pre- :.
pared to express an opinion at THE
time as to the best plan 10 follow.
but I am very certain that we should
In the very near future provide for
:-:!fication Of our system wA6eo
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