The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-05
WAR LAWS REPEAL
URGED ON CONGRESS
Bill to Be Introduced and
Hearing Expected to Begin
on Tuesday.
CHECK ON IMMIGRATION
johnson Has Measure for
Speedy Action-Both Moves
Cause Surprise.
Special Despatch to THE New YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau
Nv, shin atou ID. &. Dec. a.

New York Herald Bureau
Washington, D. {. Dec. 4.
Repeal of the war laws and the sus-
pension of virtually all immigration
for at least a year will be the first
legislative proposals to come before
the House after its reconvening on
Monday. the Republican steering COM
mittee of the House decided to-day.
Both measures are virtually certain
to pass, and it is believed that the
ending of the war laws can be accom-
plished whether the President |etoes
this measure or not. Consideration of
the two bills probably will start Tues
day, soon after the message of Presi-
dent Wilson has been received, MEM
bers of the committee said.
In general the legislation already
has been prepared and will be intro
duced in the House Monday. The re-
pealer OF the war laws has been writ
ten in a. general way by Representa-
tive volstead (Minn). chairman of
the Judiciary Committee. His COM
mittee will consider it,
Representative Johnson (Wash),
chairman of the immigration Commit
tee. has prepared abill suspendinS i'm
migration for a period OF two years
The steering committee thought that
the flood of immigrants should be
stopped for at least a year, or until
comprehensive and more restrictive
immigration law could be passed.
The decision of the steering commit
tee to rush action on these Two I'M
portant measures came as surprise
The impression had prevailed that moth
ing more than appropriation bills could
be acted upon at this session OF Con-
gress.
Representative Nicholas Longworth
(Ohio) and Representative Martin B.
Madden (Illinois) members Of the
steering committee, insisted that con-
ditions are such that both proposals
merited prompt action. Because of the
increasing flood of immigrants from Eu-
rope. the immigration suspension bill
may be brought up first. Plans are to
pass both of the bills before the holi-
days. members of the steering commit
Tee say.
Tho proposed repeal OF the war laws
involves fifty-four statutes passed dur
ing the war emergency, many of which
are of minor importance, but some OF
which have delayed the return of the
country to a normal peace time basis
Passage OF the Knox resolution is re-
garded as impossible because of the
veto power of President Wilson. How
ever. even if the President should veto
the repeater of the war laws. whicr Is
not regarded as possible. the measure In
all probability could be passed over his
objection. When the Knox resolution
was being considered last April In the
House. Democrats in opposing It chal-
lenged the Republicans TO bring in a
resolution doing nothing more than re-
pealing the war laws. Democratic lead
ers promised unanimous support for such
a resolution.
l. A few OF the war laws, such as the
acts authorizing the Alien Property
Custodian to seize German property in
this country and the war risk insur-
ance act. must be continued for some
time yet, but the majority of the emer-
gency acts can be repealed at once, the
steering committee thought. Some OF
the acts were to run for stated paIiods
after peace was proclaimed.
However. members OF the steering