The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-03-24
SESSION MAY RUN
UNTIL. MARCH 4TH

Faced by the assurance that the ex-
ira session will soon be called, and
that they will have to get down to
business in May, Republican leaders
in Congress are mapping out plans,
lperfecting details of organization,
and getting ready for a Legislative
siege which. they anticipate, will be
practically continuous until March 4,
1921.
A prolonged extra session is fore
seen, one that will probably run into
the regular session next December.
Then will come long regular session
+, running right up into the 1890 Presi-
idential campaign, if not through il.
The league Of nations controversy,
the peace treaty, many great inter-
national problems, and domestic ques-
lions of unprecedented magnitude are
looming up for the consideration Of
the new Congress.
Clerks Are Busy.
Already the House Appropriations
Committee, the leaders on the Inter
state Commerce Committees, and other
factors OF Importance in the new Con-
gress are giving attention to the tasks
ahead. Clerks OF the House Appro-
priations Committee are deep in .1g-
ures of estimates and bills. Con-
gresham Good. who is to be the new
chairman OF the Appropriations Com
mittee,s has felt obliged to confer with
some Of the department officials and
take up preliminaries or the appro-
pFiations measures.
knowing that Congress is to be
call probably cabled from Paris by
the President, such members as can
get away, from Washington are trying
to get few weeks rest. =
The possibility that the Senate NAV
be called into special session earlier
than the. meeting of Congress prop
er in order to take up the first
treaty continued to be discussed. An
advantage in this procedure is that
IL would enable the Senate partially
to get rid of its burden of interna-
tional affairs before the extra ses-
sion. When the extra session, open
ed, more attention could be given to
appropriations and other domestic
business. = --.
With the approach OF the extra ses-
sion, acute problems in. connection
with the Organization OF the House
anu OF me senate are. beginning 10
become still more pointed.
Not only is there the trouble over
the composition of the Republican
steering committee in the House and
the controversy over whether Champ
Clark shall be minority leader, but
there are. difficulties over the or
ganizatiOn of the Senate.
Progressive Republicans are de-
mandfpg recognition in the organiza-
ton. and unless they get il. will kick
over the bucket. Already. Of course,
they have wrung from the conserva-
lives the Norris resolution liberaliz-
ing the rules as 10 makeup of COM
mittees.
The Controversy whether Senator
Penrose shall head the Finance Com
mittee Estip sticks ups as possible
source-sof serious -faetional trouble,
though Il has not been much talked
Of late, in Senate circles. In a
way, the league OF nations contro-
yersy has tended TO thrust il in the
back ground, and efforts are being
made to smooth it over. The Repub-
licans in the Senate are not alone in
having their tribulations. The Demo
Gratis also have theirs Administra-
ton Democrats would like to punish |
some Of those of anti Decentralization /
tendencies. such as Reed OF Missouri, |
but how far there will be a row over
this and like matters is not yet clearly |
indicated.