New-York tribune., 1921-02-04
Harding Fears
Filibuster Nav
IieUp program
Fall and Daugherty Inform
Senator's of His Anxiety
That Appropriation Bills
Should Pass by March A
Extra Session Involved
Time Sought to Develop
Policies Before Calling
New Congress Together

FROM The 7ribnne's Washington Burenu
WASHINGTON, Feb. 3.-President-
elect Harding is concerned over the
legislative jam in Congress and the
prospect that it will not be broken
IN time to allow the approximation bills
o pass before March L. This be-
came known when Senator Fall, of New
Mexico, and Harry M. Daugherty, Of
ONO, returning to-day from their out
ing with Senator Harding in Florida,
conferred with Republican leaders in
the Senate about the legislative stu
alton.
Mr.. Daugherty. who will be Attorney
General under the Harding Admins
tratlon, and Senator Fall, who is ex-
pected to be Secretary of the Interior,
met this evening with Senators Lodge,
Knox, Curtis and several other Repub-
llcan leaders. While in part the con-
ference related to The Cabinet, it con-
cerned in large degree the legislative
outlook.
Mr.. Harding is understood to
realize that If the appropriation bills
,all, or q considerable number of them,
ne Wiil be under the necessity of call
ing the extra session earlier than he
otherwise would call it. He has been
advised to call it the middle of March,
II the appropriation bills are not dis
posed OF this session. He has been
hoping to call it to meet April 4. This
would give him month from the
time OF inauguration to set the eXecu-
tive house in order.
Leaders Hope to Break Jam
With the Democrats blocking by
hilbuster an early vote on the tariff
PHI, 1t is recognized ON al! hands that
tne prospects of passing the appropria-
ton bills are not good. However, the
readers are going to try to pass them
and break the jam if possible. The
House and Senate Republican steering
committees will meet tomorrow and
see what they can do. Senator. Hard
ing VIII De Kept advised of the develop
ments by Mr.. Daugherty.
However, it may not develop for
some days whether the appropriation
bills can be passed. In fact, it may be
uncertain up to the last few days Of
the session. If it does become hone
less to pass them. there is little doubt
that Mr.. Harding will take steps for
an early extra session, which would
meet probably not later than March 21.
Senator Curtis already has advised
Mr Harding that the session ought
TO open March 15, and Senator Borah
wants it to begin March 4.
The tariff bill and the filibuster
against it by the Democrats have de-
layed the appropriation bills in the
Senate to some extent. Until yester-
day 1T was not expected the tariff bill
would be allowed to come to vote this
session. But now it is the understand
ing there will be vote. Dem ocratic
leaders who heretofore have fought off
vote said tonight they expected one
by February 16, and perhaps earlier.
Indeed, there is some talk of beginning
to ballot on amendments within a day
or two.
Shift in Democratic Strategy
The Senate Democratic leaders who
are against the tariff bill have made up
their minds that it will be good politics
for them to let it pass, on The theory
that it will be regarded by consumers
as meaning higher cost of living. Sem
ator John Sharp Williams, who yester-
day opposed an agreement ON date to
vote, will not block vote after the
bill has been debated. Under the cir
cumstances it is now expected that as
soon as the Democrats discuss the bill
and amendments as much as they wish
to they will let it come to decision.
Closely invo, ed with the effort to
pass the appropriation bill is the fate
Of various general measures pending in
one House or the other. 1t is the pre-
vailing belief that virtually all of them
will go by the board. Reapportion-
ment, the packers bill and the Calder
coal bill are among them.