Norwich bulletin., 1920-05-26
WASHINGTON AFFAIRS
Especial to The Bulletin.)


 Washington, May 25. - Congress has now entered on the second year of an almost continuous session. It was a lit- tie over one year ago that the president called it into extra session and except for a ten day recess last November and a ten day recess at Christmas. there has been no let-up in the daily work of that body. The ninety-six senators, the 2s5 members of congress and the secretaries clerks and thousands of attaches have been on the job continuously for more than 12 months. And even now there Is a question of whether or not adjourn meht or 8 prolonged recess will mark the. summer. The leaders of both par ties want to clear the slate and get away before the two political conventions and not take up any work of considerable mo- ment afterwards, even of congress is nominally in session by recessing instead of adjourning But it is a case of "one's afraid of tother dar'sent-' The re- publicans are afraid the president will call them back in extra session if they adjourn, or that he will take advantage of the time between sessions to put of fensive measures into effect when con- gressional action to prevent cannot be taken. On the other hand, if it mere ly is a series of recesses they fear the democrats will bring up all sorts of per picking measures before congress in or der to complicate an already vexed con- | dition of party affairs. The democrats ] want anything that the republicans are against The republicans of both the senate ad house are split on the issue | but it is probable it will all be patched up before the 9th of June arrives when some sort of a let up is certain to take place. The proposed recess ranges all the | way from two weeks at a time to ninety Gays-while an adjournment would leave congress free till December 1st unless called together in extra sessio. by the president before that time.
 It is not merely matter of personal 1 convenience but the effect it will have on | the fall election that will be the deciding factor Here is the situation at this mo- ment There are many bills of import | ance that must be out of the way before the end of the fiscal year. June 90th. | They will be taken care of and passed There are number of bills which in- dividual members want passed but, which can wait-these are being used by indi- viduals as a wedge to gain %Zt they want@such as the Kenyon packers bill etc But these will probably be laid aside till after the election is out of the way The bonus bill will either be pass. ed by the house or left alone, and 1t | Will not come up in the senate this sum. mer: any how. June 5th will see either a recess or an adjournment till Decem- Der 1st. That is certain It is hinte6 by leading house democrats that The president has something to spring or
 congress at the last moment, but re. publicans say let him spring tive
 shall decide the matter for ourselves.
 They are still resentful of being turned } back from a summer recess last year. b, letter from the president asking Zen . to forego the recess as he had some thing of great importance to present tC
 them. But when the time came noth ing new was put before them by tn,
 president, so the summer plan was spoil
 ed and no good resulted They don 1 hesitate to say that white house re quests this year would fail to meet tn,
 favorable action. But whatever ii done there won't be a bakers dozen a
 the capitol until after the two conven
 tions and the primaries are out of tn way
 They are telling good joke on Con
 gressman Tess, of Ohio. chairman Q the republican congressional committed and one of the best informed men ii congress. He is an eloquent speaker an
 active worker both on the floor and ii
 committee. His son, Lehr Tess. is par y limentarian to Speaker Gillett-an off1c t of great responsibility. One day las
 week, Fess, senior, was making the wall
 echo with an argument on a pending hil t when some question of parliamentary pro
 cedure came up and threatened to en
 the discussion, which Fess desired t
 continue. T am in order" said Fes :. with quiet persistence land I appeal II the speaker for a decision" Speake e Gillete at once referred the matter l his Darlimenta rian Fess Iuuior +he
 said with a smile, q regret to repol x that the gentleman from Ohio is out ( U order" The house broke into lauehte .- as it saw the point of the joke. and no l. young Fess is telling with pride ho
 he kept father in order"