Omaha daily bee., 1919-09-22
VACATION FOR
CONGRESS WILL
Be CURTAILED
Ambitious Program Of Re-
pub|icans May Prevent Ad-
iournment Until No.
vember !.
By Z. G. SNYDER.
Omaha Bee Correspondent,

By Z. c. SNYDER.
Omaha Bee Correspondent,
Washington, Sept 2l.-(Special
Telegram. )-Republican leaders in
the house who have been discussing
the probabilities of adjournment
have about reached the conclusion
that congress will not be able to get
away for short vacation before the
regular session of the Sixty-sixth
congress begins, on the first Monday
in December, much before Novem-
Der !, and the present extraordinary
session may run until November 10.
There is much yet to be done if
the republicans insist upon carrying
10 successful conclusion the am
bilious program they mapped out
for the party at their first conference
and which has been amplitled at Sue
ceeding conferences.
Floor Leader Mondell in review
ing what the republicans have al
ready put across i'll the way of leg
islation and what they expect to &C
complish before adjournment of the
present session said today to The
Bee representative;
"At the beginning of the present
special session of congress a con-
ference of the republican members
of the house of representatives de-
clared it to be the purpose of the
republican ma ority to proceed at
once to the orderly, thorough and
careful consideration of construc-
tive program of legislation" and
this seems an opportune time to
call attention to the progress thus
far made in the carrying out OF the
definite promise made at that time,
as the first, steps in that con-
structive program. We hope that
the entire program thus far out
lined and suggested may be we'll
under way toward final completion
before the close of the present ex-
ira session.
Demand Army Sale.
SIN an effort to reduce the high
cost of living the house demanded
and compelled the sale of surplus
army supplies, including not only
foodstuffs but articles OF wearing
apparel, thus not only aiding in low
erinq living costs but ultimately
bringing several hundred million
dollars into the federal treasury.
The house and senate passed bills
strengthening the food control act,
extending its possessions and In
creasing penalties for boarding and
prohteering. The house has just
appropriated large sums TO aid the
Department of Justice and other de-
partments of the government in the
enforcement of the laws against
prohteering and in the prosecution
Of activities intended to reduce the
nigh cost of living. The house will.
within a few days, consider a bill
aimed to aid in reducing living costs
through the regulation of the cold
storage of foodstuffs.
I'VE promised prompt considera-
ton Of the appropriation bills which
failed of passage in the closing days
of the Sixty-hftt congress. These
bills, seven in number. the consider
alton of which ordinarily requires
from three to four months, were
practically disposed of by two houses
of congress by the beginning of
the fiscal year, July |, and as they
became . laws affected saving of
over $900,000,000 as compared with
the same bills. as last considered in
the closing days of the Sixty-hfth
congress, and of over $l,695, 100000
as compared with the estimates of
the departments on which these bills
were based. Notwithstanding this
great reduction in appropriat tons it
is believed that every governmental
activity affected was adequately pro-
vided for.
Return Wire Lines.
"The republican conference PROM
ised the early return of the tele-
phone, telegraph and cable lines to
their owners. They were returned
by act approved July II.
Early consideration of the reso-
luton proposing an amendment to
the constitution extending the
right of suffrage to women was
promised. The resolution was ap-
proved within Is days of the con
vering of the session and is now
before the states for ratification.
Consideration of water power
legislation was promised. The house
passed the water power bill prompt
| ly and it is now before the senate
| for consideration.
"The conference included in its
program consideration of iegisla-
ton providing for the leasing of
public coal and oil lands. The senate
has passed legislation of this char
acter and it is now before the house
committee on public lands and will
be considered in the house at an
early date.
Repeal Tax Law.
Early consideration of tariff leg
islation was promised with a view
to reduction of domestic taxation,
and of providing adequate protec-
ton to American labor and indus
tries. The house has passed a bill
repeating the obnoxious taxes on
soft drinks, soda water and ice
cream, and bills providing for the
i,rptprttpt uprpesarv uudar preSept