New-York tribune., 1921-12-04
congress Opens
ii tomorrow for
Critical Session
= 3 ~.
Action Taken i'm Arms Con-
ference Expected to AZ
feet Decisions to Come
{ in Senate and in House
Hard ding Message Tuesday
Expected That President
Will Ask End of Tax De-
bate and Urge Economy.


From The Tribune's Washsnoton Bareau
~ ssWASHINGTON, Dec. 3.-Facing a
%ng list of problems, Congress will
6onvene at noon Monday to take up the
work Of the regular or long session.
se Domestic and foreign questions Of
great moment will come up for consid-
Grafton, and the Importance of the ses-
sion is enhanced distinctly by reason
II the fact that the Conference on the
limitation Of Armament is passing on
Hatters which in part at least will get
attention from Congress. Whatever
may be done with respect to naval and
And ornaments, for instance, will have
a bearing on naval and military appro-
priations.
Although President Harding's annual
message will not be. presented until
Tuesday, the general import Of it al
ready is we'll known. He is to lay en-
phasis on the tariff, and this means
that the tariff will be one of the domi-
nant questions of the session. Efforts
are to be made to pass tariff bill
through the Senate, the House already
having disposed. of it.
! The tariff, the foreign debt, annual
appropriations, the merchant marine,
Soldiers' bonus, railroad and agricul-
tural measures, the reapportionmento of
representation, the Newberry case in
She Senate and investigations by COM
4Aittecs will be among the chief fea-
tlres of the session.
First Dawes Estimates
The House advanced further with its
york in the extra session than the
Senate, and in consequence the primary
Question before the House will be ap-
5ropriations, Economy will be the
slogan there. One large reason for
this is. that the members are looking
ahead to the Congressional election
campaign Of next summer and fall.
The estimates which will go to Con-
Eress at the outset Of the session are
the first complete set to be submitted
fnder the budget system, of which Cen
eral Charles G.. Dawes has charge.
1 House Leader Mondell said to-day
that the principal work of the House
would be appropriations, and that every
effort would be made to economic and
fut the expenditures to the bone He
remarked that while the House would
welcome efforts at economy made by
Che department and by the director Of
Che budget, General Dawes, it would
Zee whether it could Improve on what
they have done"
The Senate will not give such long
pr detailed consideration to appropria-
fions as the House, but likewise will
Fake stand for economy. Strong eff
forts are to be made to hold down pub
2ic building and river and harbor ap-
preparations and to cut army and navy
expenditures below the level Of the
foaference program if possible. The
flittle navy" and "little army" men in
feild to- fight for radical reductions in
the estimates for preparedness.
Z Inc House is expected again to bring
IN the soldiers bonus bill and now it
rs generally agreed that bonus meas
ure will be passed this session. How
the money will be raised still is
Question.
Debate on Foreign Debt
! The foreign debt bill will be the first
measure taken up by the Senate with
la view to making it the unfinished
business. This will cause debate,
reaching many phases Of international
problems. Some Senators fear the dis
cussions will be so frank as to en-
Sarrass Tr s:,, the g; conference. The foreign
until the holiday period.
While there is talk Of no adjourn
ment for the holidays, it will be diff
Hcult to keep quorum of either house
through that period and brief recess
As looked for.
In view Of the activity Of the agri-
cultural "bloc," agricultural measures
sxill be crowded to the front. The re-
port of the joint commission on agri-
cultural inquiry will be made. Indica-
fions are the most important measure
growing out of this report and out of
Fhe activities of the "bloc" will be q
kural credits bill providing for new
Hnd comprehensive system Of credits
Pased on the products of the farm, in
fluding livestock.
Senator McNary, Of Oregon, one Of
ehe agricultural "bloc" members, soon
will introduce a bill to extend the
operations of the War Finance Corpora
Zion in aid of agriculture for another
pear after July l.
The railroad credit bill has been
dropped and probably will not be re-
Tived, but there will be discussion Of
pther railroad questions, such as re-
peal of the rate-making section of the
Esch~ Cummins measure. Consolidation
of the Railway Labor Board with the
anterstate Commerce Commission is
Expected to come up for discussion.
4 Free Tolls Measure
The House is expected to pass the
bill for free tolls for American coast
wise shipping using the Panama Canal.
Much interest is felt in the forthcom-
9ng recommendations of President Har-
ding for ship subsidy. On this issue
members Of both houses said to-day
&here would be protracted controversy.
How long the regular session will
Fast Ia uncertain. House leaders talked
fo-day of ending it in June, but SEN
sstors are skeptical Of this, and think
fhe session will run to July or August.
/; Mr.. Mondell gave out the tentative
program of the House for the week.
sQn Monday there will be discussion of
the st. Lawrence project and other
matters. Tuesday will be given to the
Presidents message and debate ON il.
"Wednesday will be devoted to the cal
Endar. On Thursday the bill for ad-
Etional district judges will be up, and
Friday and Saturday the bill looking
Fo reclassification of government en-
ployees will have attention.
Bl.051 Persons Visited