The Washington times., 1919-01-13
EXTRA SESSION
P!IROBLEMAT|cAL

Is there to. be an extra session of
Congress next spring or summer? This
Is asked many times daily in washing
ton and never answered with any posi-
tiNeness. The reason for the lack Of
any positive answer is the good one
that no one knows.
"hat 10 quite clear Is that II the
PRESIDENT and the Administration lead
ers have their way there will not be
an extra session. On the other hand,
many Of the Republicans want one and
could bring 1t about by delaying ap-
preparation bills. OF course, any such
purpose Is disclaimed, but the disclaim-
ers are to- be taken with a grain Of
salt
Certain elements among the Repub.
IcanS would prefer not to. have an
extra session. Some of the "Old Guard" I"
for instance, who fear trouble over
organization Of the House and Senate
are credited with waning no extra
session called.
Senator'S and House members who
are not reckoning in terms Of party
politics do not hesitate TO saw thew
think 1t would be a misfortune IL an
extra session were not called-if no
legislative action were taken between
March and the first Monday in De-
cember OF next year. Their conten-
ton ts that mass of reconstruction
lawmaking Is needed and that the new
Congress ought to. be set to work on
1t the coming spring. or course. IL
might be said this should be passed
In the present short session, but II
Is hardly possible to do 1t between
now and March 4, unless there Is to
be a lot OF half-baked laws put on
the statute books. 3 o.. 80. :. +
some OF the Questions Up.
Here are some Of the things which
are demanding legislative attention:
The enactment OF law defining the
permanent policy of the Government
toward the railroads. =.
Shipping policies which will be
adequate to meet the demands in
peace time.
A measure providing liberal land
laws which will enable discharged
soldiers, sailors, and marines to OBJ
tain land for agricultural purposes on
easy and practicable terms.
a law for. the relief of the public
from exactions of the meat packers
Determination OF a permanent mill
! proposition OF what form Of training
is to be adopted. whether universal
training or otherwise.
The enactment OF measures which
! win mark wiser and better policy
| toward labor.
Settlement OF the policy Of the Gov.
| ernment with respect to the tele'
phones and telegraphs.
The disposition OF the Immigration
| question and decision in regard Il
the proposed shutting down Of tn,
bars against immigrants.
The water power problem. also oil
! land leasing.
Extension OF vocational education
facilities.
"Uncle Joeo for Extra Session.
These are just a part OF the thing!
calling for consideration. Many 9th
| ers could be mentioned. In addition
there are all sorts of odds and end!
| OF war business to be closed up.
"Uncle Joe" Cannon when asket
today about an extra session opinct
| there ought to be one.
81 don't know whether there viii
be one, but I don't see how il is pos
/ sible to pass the appropriation bill.
| this session and the other things W,
| ought to pass and get through. 81
far as I'm concerned I'd like to u
| out to Danville this spring and smoke
and fish and have a restful time
| But there is business enough her,
| to keep US going indefinitely"