The sun., 1919-01-13
CONGRESS FACING
AN EXTRA SESSION
Only A. Legislative Days Re-
main and Fourteen Big
Bills Remain.
REPUBLICANS MARK TIME
DilatOry Conduct of Demo-
Gratis Blamed for the Pres
ent StagnatiOn.

WAsHINOTON, Jan. 12.-There remain
just fortyfour legislative days in the
life OF the sIxty-fifth Congress. In the
face OF this Congress stands confronted
with the fact that of the fourteen great
money bills. the appropriation measures
for the upkeep of Government, only two
have passed the House and none have
passed the Senate.
Under ordinary circumstances n situa-
ton such as exists would solve itself The
approach OF March 4 and the end Of the
Congress would be marked by speed In
the work OF Congress. The committee
would hurry, the hours for the sitting OF
the House and Senate would ne length
ened. compromises would be effected on
all Of the less important points OF con-
tention and by noon of the last day the
Congress with the President sitting In
his office in the Senate wing signing
reans Of bills Congress would round Its
work with rush.
Extra Session Looms.
But in the present time things are dlf-
ferent. The Republicans quietly appre-
ciate the fact that in the dilatory colt
duct Of legislation by their opponents.
the absence OF any concrete effort except
on the part of two Committees on Inter-
state Commerce TO begin consideration OF
railway legislation and the vast expen-
diture of oratory on extraneous subjects
In both houses. a situation Is being de-
veloped whereby - much of important
legislation will be left unenacted that the
demand throughout the country for an
extra session of tho new Congress Will
be urgent.
1t is not a part Of the Republican
policy to force an extra session through
flibusters. Neither Is IL the intention
Of the Republicans to pose as obstruc-
tionists. II might be feasible for them
to obstruct II their Democratic OPP
ponents should develop anything in the
way Of reconstruction plans Of which
they did not approve and which lacked
those qualities OF good sense and good
legislation which the Republicans be-
leve themselves competent to incorpo-
rate in their own reconstruction pro-
gramme. But when II comes TO op.
posing a vacuum the Republicans will
quit. They are not prepared. they say
to charge the windmill"
Lose Touch With Wilson.
Naturally for various reasons. patri-
otlc. political and personal, the Republi-
'dllS OI lHe StIldtt anu Ilht
10 see an extra session called. They be.
lieve that March will come and &C
leaving a mass OF important Legislation
unconsdered. They believe also TINT a;
the rate Congress Is going the leaders
In the Senate out of sympathy In large
measure with the atruistic aims OF the
President In international matters that
the Democrats are almost AS anxious
for an extra session as themselves.
The Administration leaders are op.
posed tc all Extra session n in any cir.
cumstances il can be avoided. They dc
not relish the position In which the,
will find themselves as minority defend.
crs Of the Presidents policies In both
houses OF Congress. The Democrats
whose adherence to the Administrators
il of a more tenuous character are in.
different on this point, however, and a
number OF them would actually enjoy
seeing their colleagues embarrassment
after the months OF embarrassment &c
which they themselves have been sub
jected.