The Washington times., 1920-12-08
.CONCRESSNOW
down TOWORK
Packers Bill Has Right OF Way.
Plan Attack on Retail
Pr0fiteerS.
by j. BART CAMPBELL,
International News Service.


With President-elect Warren u.
Harding in the comparative seclu-
sion of Marion, Ohio, and President
Woodrow Wilson's annual message
tucked away safely in the Congress
sional~ Record, Congress settled down
to business today.
BUCKLE TO TASKS.
The excitement attendant upon tho
President elects return TO Washing
ton. and the speculation as 10
whether the President would at
tempt TO appear before Congress,
having subsidized. members OF the
Senate and House began 10 buckle
to the tasks before them during the
next three months.
An effort was to be made in the
Senate today by Senator Kenyon
Republican. of Iowa. TO secure inn
mediate action on the so-called
packers regulation measure, OF
which he and Senator Kendrick.
Democrat, OF Wyoming, are joint au-
thors. The measure is on the Sen
ate calendar as unfinished business
aud. therefore. has the right of way.
Kenyon. said he proposed TO urge
the passage of the bill in lengthy
speech. but opposition to II on the
part of several influential Repub-
! lican leaders may preclude an early
/ vote on 1t.
II is understood Senator Lodge Of
Massachusetts and Senator Smoot Of
Utah are two Republican leaders
who believe the retailer. and not the
wholesaler. is the one most in need
of regulation.
PLAN II. e. l.. BILL.
other senators declare themselves
| incensed at the continuance or the
| prevailing high prices for food.
| clothing and shoes in Washington
and other cities. despite the slump
| in the wholesale markets for those
commodities, and a bill aimed at re-
tail profiteering Is in preparation.
which. it is predicted. will have Il
better chance of passing Congress
han measure like the Kenyon
Kendrick one.
Certain recomme ndations made by
! the President in his message are sure
% be ignored by the Republican ma
'ority in control OF Congress, Repub-
lean and Democratic Senators de-
Jared.
They say the Presidents sugges-
ton for an immediate revision OF the
'ountry's taxation system is imprac-
ticable, although hearings Will be
Begun after the Christmas holiday
by both the Senate Finance and
louise Ways and Means Committees
preparatory to 4 general readjust-
rent of taxes in accordance with a
Republican program of revising the
'evenue act.
The licensing of corporations en-
s..SN 80 loo "
20 Armenia, and the granting Of in
dependence to the Philippines are
Their proposals of the President
which, If taken up by Congress.
rouid be sure to plunge either the
ienate or House into protracted
md stormy debate without any OF
hem being acted upon favorably.
The coalition between Democratic
md Republican agricultural members
( Congress may result in the re-
Establishment Of the War Finance
corporation, despite the opposition to
his by certain Republican le"ders.
but il is the purpose OF certain Sena-
ors. IL Congress does authorize the
unctioning again OF the corporation,
q, have it take care of the financial
md economical wants OF the indus
rial as well as the agricultural sec
tions of the country.
Attacks on the Federal Reserve
Board are being frowned upon by
republican as we'll as Democratic
'cadcrs. and sensational stories of
possible revision Of the act creating
the board, to meet criticisms of it
emanating from certain quarters. are
being discussed by the more intluen-
tial members Of both branches of Con.
rreSs.
Members Of the Senate Finance
md House Ways and Means commit
tees believe Congress should proceed
slowly and safely in dealing with the
grave financial, industrial, and agri-
Nultural problems facing the country.
they attribute the present price
ranic" to natural reaction from war
.onditions. and declare the situation
ell right itself" with sane Con-
oreGSionDl assistance in due time.