The Mena weekly star., 1920-12-09
CONGRESS FACES A
VERY BUSY SESSION
Much Emergency Legislation Is Ex-
oected From Short Meeting
All Taxpayers Are Clamoring
for Relief.

Washington, Dec 5.-Industry, COM
merce and agriculture are awaiting
the session of Congress convening to-
morrow with more than ordinary in
terest. With a business depression
spreading over the country, with va
rious groups Of producers, manufac-
turers, merchants and farmers seek
ing special relief from adverse condi-
tions thru Legislation and with all
classes desirous Of the Tightening Of
the burden Of taxation, Congress has
huge task on It's hands.
While the comparatively few weeks
of the short session ending on March
A. will not afford time for action on
much besides the annual appropria-
tion measures the discussions which
will be started on such subjects as
taxes and the tariff and other matters
to be acted upon under the admins
tration of President-elect Harding will
keep the problems affecting industry
and commerce in the foreground.
The annual appropriation bills will
tax question because a reduction in
taxes can come only if expenditures
are kept down. Other measures to
come up at the short session directly
affecting revenue include the soldiers
bonus bill. the bill authorizing a ST.
0O0, 900 900 credit to Germany for the
purchase of American products and
the proposal for the revival of war
g. b. ~.4A 1Rs hn
nancing of sales of farm products to
Europe. Enactment of legislation em-
bracing any of these propositions will
mean increasing the total amount
which must be raised by taxation.
Congress will find it difficult to revise
the tax laws at the special session in
the spring to enlighten the load on
business and the general public.
Bonus Controversy Up Again.
The soldiers bonus bill as passed
by the House last spring embodying
several alternative forms Of adjusted
compensation is pending in the SEN
ate Finance Committee. The Amer
lean Legion will press for action upon
this bill at once and the Senate Re-
publican leaders are puzzled over what
to do with it.
Demands for relief from present f.
Eancial conditions will gain consider
alton without delay. Hearings al
ready have been begun By the Senate
and House Committees on Agriculture
with reference to the farm credit sit
uati0n and some form of emergency
legislation undoubtedly viii develop
considerable momentum.
In view of the adverse criticism by
Secretary of the Treasury Houston
and members of the Federal Reserve
Board, such measures as might be
passed Involving government fnanc-
ing of the marketing of former crops
probably will be vetoed by President
Wilson. Failure to repass any bill
over the presidents veto will mean
continuance of the movement for ac-
tion under the new administration.
The farmers are by no means the
Only class seeking emergency legisla-
ton The textile interests, which more
than any other group of manufactur-
ers have suffered by the declines in
values this year. are anxious that Con-
gress before December III, pass a bill
authorizing taxpayers in making their
final payment of 1919 taxes on that
date to reeomputc thcm with allow
arrcs for inventory losses. Owing TO
the short time before the tax INSTALL
paent date emergency legislation along
this line is not probable.
May Provide for Budget Plan.
Establishment Of a budget system,
making It possible to put the expendi-
lures Of the government on a business
basis, is possible during the short ses-
sion.
The question of reorganization of
governmentaly departments win come
up for discussion In connection with
the budget legislation. 1t win be in
troduced during the short session, but
action will be deferred until probably
until the new session.
There is no thought on the part of
the Republican leaders to enact any
legislation embodying i'm p o rt n t
changes in the tax or tariff laws dur
ing the short session No time will
be lost. however, III making a start
toward the consideration Of both these
questions with view to the action
during the spring or summer, Hear
ings on either tariff or tax legislation
as planned to begin soon after the holi-
days by the House Ways and Means
Committee.
In advance Of the revision of the
tariff laws passage Of legislation plac-
ing an embargo on imports of Cana
dian and Argentine wheat and devils
ing means Of protecting domestic
producers is probable. Protection OF
the packing industry is part of the
unfinished business in the Senate and
will get early consideration.