The Washington times., 1920-06-06
CONGRESS LEAVES
BIG BILLS IN AIR
Senators DenounCe Failure TO
Clean Up Business As
Session Ends.

matters sttll Incomplete, was de-
nounced by number of members OF
both houses.
They point out that many important
revenue bills must go over TO next
session. Action. upon the Armenian
mandate, which was refused by the
Senate. has not yet been taken by the
House. The so-called packers bill,
placing control OF the meat packing
industry under the Federal Trade
Commission. the bill TO prohibit the
Importation OF foreign dyesturs, the
soldiers bonus, the Mccormick bud
get bill, providing for a budget OF
national expenditures In the place Of
the present loose method of maxi
ing estimates, and many measures
directed against profiteering, and
seeking to establish Industrial har-
mony. go over' as unfinished busi-
ness"
In the closing hours OF the Congress
much important legislation was jam
| med through in long sessions that
sometimes extended far into the
night. Among these measures are
the shipping bill, which with scant
deliberation turned over the Amer
lean Merchant Marine to the shipping
trust and foreign competitors; the
army reorganization bill, providing an
| army of 100000 men and 1880 offi-
| GERS; the postofficc appropriation bill,
| increasing the salaries of postal en-
ployes from 10 to Is per cent. and
| the water-power bill providing
licensing system for projects of
watcr-poweG development
War Legislation Abolished.
Another important measure passed
within -thc last twenty-four hours
| was a bill to abolish war Legislation
and with il the special war powers
| control act and the trading with the
| enemy act are extended by special
provisions OF this bill.
| Adjournment was announced promt-
| ly at 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon in
| both houses. II IL unfortunate that
| lack of "A few minutes more of time
prevented the passage of the McCor-
mick budget bill. providing a sys-
| tematic method OF computing Govern
ment appropriations, and the Harris
| resolution calling for Il statemet by
| the Government of income tax re-
turns and excess profits.
Congress will stand adjourned un-
I'll the first Monday in December un-
| less called back into extraordinary
! session. This is regarded as improb-
Bile, however. as President Wilson
| has let il be known that only ma
tional developments OF grave char
| actcr would result in a call for an
| extra session.
House Cleans Up Early.
The closing hours in both branches
of Congress were marked by con
trast of conditions. In the lower
house the slate was wiped clean early
| in the afternoon. and a recess was
| taken until just before the closing
hour. In the Senate. however, the
| calendar was flled to overiowing.
In spite OF the feverish haste with
which the members worked at times.
many important measures remained
| to be finally disposed of when the
| hour for adjournment came. This re-
suited in partisan clashes all along
the line. Democrats and Republicans
vieing with one another TO shift the
blame for responsibility.
The result was that instead OF the
love feast which usually marks the
passing of Congress, the closing
| hours were filled with acrimony, re-
| ordinations. and bitter debate.
Senator Kenyon, Republican, OF
Iowa, said: I'VE are making grave
I mistake to adjourn. leaving many i'm
portant matters still in the air. 1t is
contrary to public policy, and can
hardly fail to make a bad Impression
on the mind of the public
Senator McCumber. Republican. OF
North Dakota, said: with third of
the Senate running for the Presidency
and the rest busy trying to rig up po-
litical lightning rods for themselves
we have come to the close of a ses-
sion not remarkable in efficiency or
achievement"
Senator Ashurst, Democrat. of Ari-
Zona, said Much has been done for
big contractors and gougers. but il is
a pity to sec Congress close with such
poor record OF service in the inter-
est OF the common people of this ma
| ton"
Scores shipping "Steai.''
senator Reed, Democrat, OF Mis-
souri,, observed: Having just voted a
ibillion-dollar shipping steal perhaps
| the American people will gladly say
amen to our motion for adjournment"
| Senator Walsh. Democrat, OF Massa-
( chusetts, said We have left many
| things in an unfinished state. I espe-
cially regret that nothing effective
was done to remedy the print-paper
situation, and think the Senate de-
serving of censure for its failure to
pass on this important measure"
Senator Thomas. Democrat, of Col
orado, said: Wei, in our adjourn
ment there will be one great comfort
for the American people, and that is,
that for several months we will not
be able to waste any more public
do