The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1919-05-30
PROGRAM FOR THE SESSION.

PROGRAM FOX HE SESolUN.
Washington. -Probably never in the
history of the nation nave more impor-
tant problems bearing vital relation
to business and industry awaited con-
sideration than demand attention Of
the Sixty-sixth Congress
Questions which have been agitated
in former sessions are up for action
again, and ON top of them host OF
matters growing out Of the war. His
tory will be made in the forthcoming
session. Just what will be accomplish
ed no man can forecast with any de-
gree of assurance, as the path is I'M
charted. SO new are many of the prob
lens that the political party platforms
will prove entirely inadequate in FUR
nishing guides for the votes of legisla-
tors.
Newly enthroned in power at the
Capitol end of Pennsylvania avenue,
the Republican party is out to make q
record. With at least half dozen
different and distinct plans for the
settlement of the railroad problem,
with numerous varying suggestions for
the upbuilding of an American mer-
chant marine and with an equal variety
of opinions and viewpoints on other
subjects, it will be strange if party lines
are maintained strictly. Up at the other
end of the avenue President Wilson
will be able to nuliify congressional
action through his power of the veto.
It is worse than Chinese puzzle tc
predict the outcome.
Just a few of the topics Of interest
to the business world are the follow.
ing:
Disposition of the railroads, includ-
ing the adoption of permanent
scheme of government regulation diff
ferent from that in effect before the
war.
Appropriation of huge sums of
money, including additional funds fol
the railroads, to relieve the banks of
the burden of financing them.
Provision for the return of utilities
such as the telegraph and telephone
companies taken during the war.
Means for the disposal of the great
feet built during the war and measures
for making possible the development
of an American merchant marine.
Tariff revision, including protection
for dye and chemical industries built
up during the war.
Development of water power.
Revision of antitrust legislation
with view to the repeal of sections of
the Sherman law which have become
obnoxious to business.
Revision of the revenue laws, includ-
ing the repeal of the luxury tax and
the elimination of inequalities in the
present tax schedules.
Measures designed to aid in the de-
velopment of foreign trade.
Establishment of a permanent United
States Employment Service providing
federal aid to states with employment
agencies.
Consideration of numerous measures
backed by organized labor to promote
the welfare of workers
Reconstruction legislation of various
kinds.
Measures for the regulation of the
packers, which were considered, but
not acted upon at the last session.
Other measures relating to food and
the high cost of living.
Congress will be busy at the start
passing the appropriation bills, which
fell by the wayside in the filibuster
which marked the closing days of the
last session. These bills must be dis
posed of before the end of the present
fiscal year on June 80.
With the appropriation bills of most
pressing importance there Is nc chance
to get far on business legislation
during the early weeks. Committees
which do not handle appropriation
bills, however, are likely to begin hear
ings without much delay The House
committee on foreign and interstate
commerce, for example, probably will
make an early start on railroad hear
ings. The Ways and Means Commit
tee viii be able to consider the dye
stuff situation at an early date.
The Republican leaders seem agreed
that there will be no general tariff re-
vision at this session. 1t is the con-
sensus of opinion that 1t would avail
nothing to work out tariff revision
along protective lines to be vetoed.