The Washington herald., 1920-11-21
BY ROBERT. BARRY.

The American people may as well
be reconciled to a continuance Of
the stalemate that has halted the
machinery of the Federal govern
ment for more than a year. That
is the message which Republican
leaders are delivering upon their
return to Washington. They see no
prospect of a harmonious working
arrangement between the White
House and the Capitol.
Speaker Gillett and Majority
Leader MondeH. following a con-
ference in the House wing of the
Capitol. confirmed the view of Re-
publican Senators. There is little
lation. Gillett declared. and the SEN
atorial chiefs told the. reasons for
that view. The December to March
session. it was INDICATED, would of
necessity be confined to passage of
supply bills to provide for the oper-
alton OF the government during the
fiscal year beginning July 1, 1891.
The belief that IL is idle to at
tempt passage of the general legis-
lation promised the country by the
Republican party until the special
session that Preside ent-elect Harding
Is expected to call soon after enter
ing the white House, The American
people may look to a renewal of the
league of nations discussion in the
Senate and 10 debate IN the House
over the appropriation bills. with
their bearing upon Federal expend-
itures and taxes.
Ne Time to Sacrifice.
IL is not the intention Of the
party leaders to sacrifice the months
between December and March. They
propose to begin hearings on
several important bills, but Anal
passage of those measures is not
contemplated. Among the measures
which it is now regarded will sgo
over to the special session are the
budget BILL the Federal reorganiza-
ton bill, the packer bill, the House
representation bill and Repuhlicaa
taxation legislation.
The Kenyon-K -Kendrick bill for
regulation of the meat packing in
dustry probably will pass the Senate
carly In the session. The Senators
sponsoring that measure are deter
mined to press its passage. T, 1t is
the unfinished business of the Sem
ate and will come before that body
as the first order of business. There
appears to-be but slights chance Of
its being passed by the House dur.
ing the short session. a
Senator Medill Mccormick, of H.
linois. sponsor of the budget bill in
the Senate. may call up that measure
when supply bills are not pending,
but IL that course is taken he will
offer an amendment to the original
bill providing that the act shall not
become effective until about March
Ia. 1921. The purpose of such an
amendment would be to deny to
President Wilson the right of se-
lection of the comptroller OF the
budget and to enable Mr.. Harding
to make the appointment: There is
feeling among some of the advo-
Gates of the budget that the Repub-
licans should not waive the proyf-
sion for life tenure of Office for the
comptroller irrespective of politics
without consultation with Mr.. Hard
ing.S President Wilson vetoed the
bill because of that provision.
Federal Reorsnni.atfen. 5
Hearings probably will be started
early in January on the Smoot-Mc-
Cormick bill to reorganize Federal
departments with a view to piac-
ing them on a more effective basis.
That legislation is intended to sup
plement the budget act and the ne
cessity for its passage is not held
essential until the new Republicah
Congress meets in special session.
1t Is not the purpose of the Re-
publican leaders to quarrel with the
White House over the refusal Of
President Wilson to carry into effect
those provisions Of the Jones ship
ping act proposing the abrogation
of copmercials treaties They in
tend to allow the matter to rest un-
tn Mr. Harding assumes office. AS
Indicated In previous dispatches to
the Public Ledger, the Wilson an
Pointees to the shipping Board
doubtless viii faii of confirmation.
leaving Mt. Harding free to name a
new board which would carry the
Republican policies into effect.
tcepynsht. 1880. by Public Ledger Coz
4 4