The Washington times., 1919-03-15
c. 0. ?. PLANS EXTRA
SESSION BY MAY |.

The Republicans expect the exs.u.
| tive departments here to bring pres
sure on President Wilson that viii
jcrce him to call Congress in "vtrior
iinary session by May l. This was
stated today by Republican Leader
Mondell after a meeting by the steer
ing Committee to outline lcGisla-
tive program and, incidentally, Ia
seize full control of the House
patronage enjoyed by the Democrats
for nine years.
This early action on a program by
the Mann forces, who are undeterred
by the Longworth insurgency and
purpose TO fight in caucus against
their control OF the Republican or
Eanization, is a shrewd move to shift
to the Presidents shoulders the bur
den of delaying appropriation bills
and reconstruction measures, should
he put off the call for Congress until
summer.
VIII he Ready In Advance.
The Republicans will be ready far
i'm advance of the new session and
will cry out to the country that the
President was responsible should the
Government be hampered or jobs
taken away for lack OF funds.
When asked today what hope there
was that the President would call
Congress-, Mr.. Mondell replied:
mo one is so well Informed as to
the need of early action on the de-
ficiency and other appropriation bills
and certain matters OF legislation as
the executive departments of the
Government, and it Is to be assumed
that these departments will inform
the President as to the urgency"
Mr.. Mondell, although not replying
directly to the charges hurled at Mr..
Mann and at himself by Mr.. Long
worth, refuted them with the state
ment that the Republican program
will be constructive. He declared
every effort would be made to comply
with the countFy's demands and put
through certain important measures
that failed last Congress.
Program For Republicans.
Here is the program which the Re-
publicans will be asked to consider:
Six regular supply bills and a de-
ficiency bill.
Woman suffrage amendment to the
Constitution.
Railway legislation.
Telegraph and telephone Iegisla-
tion.
Future shipbuilding and merchant
marine policies.
A new tariff law adjusted to take
care Of postwar conditions OF labor,
industry, etc.
Oil land leasing and water power
bills.
These are the principal measures
that will occupy the attention of the
new session. but more may be added.
The steering committee will meet
again Monday to take up the legisla-
tive program further.
For Protective Tariff.
Mr.. Mondell looks to a protective
tariff as one Of the most important
measures that could be enacted at a
time when industries are springing
into new life and endeavoring to get
a footing after being restricted by
war conditions. He stated also that
ii would help in the matter or Work
for returning soldiers.
"There should be a general consid-
Grafton of the tariff" he said, with
a view Of determining just what shall
be done. We will go along with the
minority as far as we can and then
adopt whatever additional is neces-
sary. The new Ways and Means
Committee will be unusually strong
all around"
He declared the merchant marine
should receive studious attention.
1--WE have just been building ships"
said he, without any program. That
could not well be helped under war
but it is time that some
definite plan should be decided upon.
1t will require careful inquiry by the
Committee on Merchant Marine 'and
Fisheries"
The steering committee agreed to-
day that the first attention of the
Congress will be given to appropria-
tion bills and that they should be
put through speedily so as to avoid
the necessity OF continuing resOlu-
tions." 1t is planned to put through
the appropriations as nearly as pos
sible as they were when the Re
publican filibuster defeated them in
the Senate.