Evening journal., 1921-04-09
9th congress
WORK PLANNED
President Will Urge Sol
diers' Relief, Tariff Among
Other Questions
MAY CUT FEDERAL
AID FOR ROADS

WASHINGTON. April O. Omitted
Press) The rough draft OF Presi-
dent Harding's first message to Con-
rress was nearly completed today
and it is possible TO give a sum-
mary Of the domestic problems to
lie treated.
What Harding will say about for
oign relations. however. remains
for the most part a secret.
Harding will appear before a
Joint session Of the Senate and
House on Tuesday the day after
Congress convenes.
His recommendation follow:
Foreign Trade-Additional legis-
lation which will enable American
business men to enter foreign mar
kets and compete to better advan
tage with citizens OF countries
which pursue an aggressive trade
expansion policy, is likely to be
asked.
Soldiers relief - the Dawes
report advocating consolidation
# the war risk bureau with
soldiers relief sections OF the
board for vocational education and
the public helth service and crea-
tion Of a veterans service admin
stration will be based on the Presi-
dents recommendation
TaXation-Repeal Of the excess
profits tax will be asked and possibly
repeal Of the soda water tax and 9TH
er consumers taxes will be urged
There is some doubt as to whether
definite recommendations for tax re-
vision will be made in the Presidents
message.
Tarin-Prompt action on anti
dumping and emergency tariff legis-
lation is TO be asked.
Railroads-Pres.den Harding is
expected TO limit himself to a gen
eral reference TO the critical trans
portation situation and await the
outcome of the Senate investigation
soon to be undertaken.
Good Roads-The necessity OF
Federal announcement to the good
roads movement is recognized but no
Federal aid should be granted un-
less there are strict requirements
which would compel states 10 main
tain the roads in proper conditions:
Alaska-Attention may be called
10 the possibility for development
in Alaska and 10 the need OF encour-
agement by Congress.
Budget-Harding will unquali-
hodly endorse the passage OF a bud
get bill TO bring about coordination
Of government incomes and expendi-
lures.
Merchant Marine-The President
win clearly indicate that ne is for
whatever steps are necessary to pre-
serve and increase the American
merchant marine.
The program for the sixty-seventh
Congress today had taken concrete
shape in the hands OF the leader
Of House and Senate following q
~ month OF conferences and consid
erations OF the questions to be taker
up. As a result, Senator Curtis
Republican whip" OF the Senate
announced that the program for the
session opening Monday will consis
Of the following legislation:
Emergency tariff and anti-dump
ing bill; tax revision. permanen
tariff: national budget bill; soldie
bonus: army and navy appropria
ton bills: reclassification Of Gov
ernment employees. and the Colon
bian treaty.
Curtis and other leaders indicated
their intention Of keeping the worl
OF the first session OF the new Con
gress down to essentials. There
enough work in the program out
lined 10 keep Congress here unit
next fall. and the leaders want &
recess as early as they can.
While the principal legislativ
measures OF the Republican pro
gram are being put through. tn
railroad question. the merchant ma
rine, labor matters, questions q
public welfare. affairs in the Philip
pines and Cuba, and the foreign re
lations generally OF the Unite
States. will be investigated by va
rious committees in House and Ser
/. ate.
The House is all ready for imme
tiate action on the Fordney emei
goncy tariff bill. which forme
President Wilson vetoed. II will b
Introduced Monday and taken u
- Wednesday with the hope that
can be passed Thursday, at the la'
cst.
Following conferences at the cap
tai yesterday with Senator Penros
snd others. Secretary Mellon pl
experts to work preparing figures o
tax and tariff matters. particular
on tax rovisions. which he promise
tc submit TO House and Senate con
mittees by May I. While the Hou'
Is working on the emergency tarii
Pcnrose announced the Senai
finance committee would begin ia
p hearings. taking up first tho variot
suggestions for a sales tax. The Ser
ate will devote the first eight da!
Of its session to consideration OF n
Colombian treaty