The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-12-05
CONGRESS DUE
To CUT LOOSE
ON ARMS MEET
Party Leaders Arrive for Sec
ond Session Mindful Of
1922 Elections.
BY J. BART CAMPBELL,
International Novs Service,

The effect which the armament con-
ference and pending and prospective
legislation will have on next years
Congressional elections was upper
most in the thoughts Of the leaders
and the rank and file Of both parties
today when members assembled foc
the second session OF the Sixty-sev'
enth Congress.
Bitter Controversy Expected.
The bitter controversy regarded 40
certain to break In both the Senate
and House over the important de-
vel0pments In the International stu
alton since the conference opened, was
one. It was declared on all sides. that
10 bound to influence the political com.
plexion Of the next Congress.
Members Of both chambers awaited
with mixed feelings the delivery in
person by the President tomorrow of
message expected to deal largely
with the grave economic and financial
problems. domestic and international.
which confront the American people.
1t was understood that the Pres
ident would read his message In
which the shifting tariff situation
would be particularly emphasized, be-
fore q Joint session at which many OF
the Representatives Of the foreign ma
tons participating in the conference
| would be present.
With these spokesman Of the lead
ing foreign powers, as well as mem
bers of the Diplomatic Corps, among
he Presidents auditors, the interna-
tional atmosphere enveloping the Ma
tional Capital will be thrown over
Congress, and help to drive home the
grave problems at home and abroad
which both the Senate and House
must take cognizance Of during the
coming months Of the new session.
Debt Bill Up First.
In compliance with the expressed
wish Of the President, the Senate will
start the session with the foreign debt
fuding bill over which an acrtmoni-
Gus verbal battle is sure to be waged.
Efforts will be made by Republican
and Democratic Senators dissatisfied
with the measure as 1t passed the
House to have 1t amended SO that
Congress may be represented on the
commission OF five II would set up
for the purpose Of handling the
foreign debt.
Another fight in the Senate In
brewing over the tariff. The Presi-
lent Is expected to request In his
message thst proposed tariff leafsla-
tion be made SO elastic as to provide
A sliding scale Of duties and imposts
which will permit him to deal with
the tariff situation as it changes from
time to time because Of the unstable
condition of foreign exchange. and
the foreign and domestic markets.
Seeks Broader Powers.
II was understood that the President
would ask Congress to give him far
more authority to deal with the tariff
problem than has ever oeen accorded
20 any of his predecessors. and that
alone was considered as certain to
provoke considerable opposition not
only on the Democratic side, but
among Republicans who do not be-
eve the Executive should be given
blanket authority to deal with any
egislation.
Hearings on the tariff will be re.
,umed Thursday by the Senate
finance Committee. the Republican
nsmbers of which hope to report \
ill in accordance with the Presidents
ieas not later than February o.
March.
The House will deal largely with the
,udget and appropriations measures
or several months. Chairman Mad.
len. of the House Appropriations Com
Hittee, estimated that the rlrSt OF tne
,upply bills would be ready for sub
rission to the lower chamber early in
January. None Of them are expected
o reach the Senate before April, and
IN view of the Limitation of armament
problems, the army and navy appro
iations biliJ will probably be held In
abeyance until the last.
BY the appropriation bills, approx
nately $4,000, 600, 900 of money raised
IN taxes will be apportioned to meet
Government needs. The total appro-
ryiations made for the last fiscal year
were $3.50, $685. The policy OF
economy and retrenchment In expen
ditures practiced rigidly last year will
he adhered to in the framing Of the
supply bills for the next fiscal year.
No appropriations will be made for
non essentials. outside Of the public
debt interest and sinking fund charges,
the heaviest draft against the Govern.
ment will be for disabled soldiers.
over $500. 900. 900 was appropriated Tor
this work last year, and the appro-
priations this year will be heavier.