The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1921-02-05

Indications Are That Har-
ding Will Be Forced to
Call Early Extra Session.
LIVING COST AN ISSUE
Democrats Cling to Discus
sion of Measure to En-
barrass Republicans.
PENROSE STILL HOPEFUL
Insists That Both Tariff and
Supply Bills Can Pass Be-
fore Adjournment.
LIVING COST AN ISSUE
PENROsE STILL HOPEFUL
Special Despatch to THE New York HEsALp.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. c., Feb. 4.

Special Despatch to THE New YonK IIEaALp.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. c., Feb. 4.
Congress is confronted tonight with
the prospect that the major portion
Of the Government supply bills will
fail and that Mr.. Harding will be
forced to call the extra session earlier
than he had intended. The combined
efforts of the Republican steering COM
mittees OF the Senate and House,
which met jointly to discuss the situa-
ton. failed to-day to find way out
Of the present legislative jam in the
Senate, where the emergency tariff
bill continues to be the obstacle in
the way CT final action on the appro-
priation bills. The steering commit
tees will hold another meeting next
week.
Some little Roadway was made on
the tariff bill itself. The Senate
adopted two important items in 1.-THE
increased tariff OF 40 cents bushel
on wheat and likewise the higher duty
on frozen meats. Democratic oppo-
nents bitterly contested these provi-
sions, but the first was adopted by
vote of 3S to % and the second by
vote Of 80 to 26.
But while this indicates that there is
q majority of the Senate in favor of the
bin. the Democrats still persist in block
ing a final vote until full discussion"
can be had and will not consent to any
unanimous consent agreement for final
action. Two Republicans, Senators
Moses and Keyes IN. HID. voted against
the wheat tariff. while six Democratic
Senators. Ashurst (Ariz,). Gay La.).
Jones On. NJ, Myers (Mont), Ransdell
Clad and Sheppard (Tex). voted for
protection on wheat.
Cost of Living Real Issue.
Senator Moses also stated that IL the
Democrats did not object TO unanipOus
consent agreement for vote he would
object, thus further complicating the
situation.
Senator Lodge (Mass) expressed the
hope that some way might be found
whereby the appropriation bills could be
put through. but admitted that the steer
ing committee had found no way to
bring It about. 1t is known that in the
committee meeting considerable emphasis
was placed on the desire of President
elect Harding to have the supply bills
passed.
Those who are leading the fight for
the tariff bill insist that the supply bills
can be passed also. and say It can be
done by holding longer sessions during
the day and beginning night sessions.
This opinion is not shared by other Re-
publicans. who would like to have the
tariff bill give way temporarily for con-
stderation or the supply bills.
The Democrats. 1t was learned to-day
have double reason for wanting to
keep the tariff bill before the Senate.
They want TO enbarrass the Republicans
by insisting that they are passing a bill
to increase the cost of living The in
creased cost of sugar and high price of
bread are two articles on which they are
ringing the changes constantly. The
other reason is that they wish to defeat
the minimum wage bill and some other
bills on the calendar which they oppose
Furthermore. they have the general
purpose OF wanting to make all possible
trouble politically for their opponents
IN this session since their reduced ma
5ority In the next one will give them far
less opportunity.
both Can Pass, Says Penrose.
Several informal conferences took
place between leading Republican Sena-
tors and Harry NJ Daugherty, who is
slated for Acknowledgement in the Har-
ding Cabinet. Mr.. Daugherty frankly
admitted that he wanted to give every
possible encouragement to break the
legislative deadlock. saving the supply
bills and thus avoiding an earlier extra
sersion. He lsft to-day for Columbus
under the impression that the situation |
looked hopeless. He is to return next
week TO look over the situation again
before returning TO the Harding party in
Florida.
Chairman Penrose Of the Senate |
Finance Committee declines to admit |
that the supply bills viii fail, and in n |
statement insisted that the emergency
tariff and the supply bills can both |
pass. He also held out the hope that /
President Wilson would not veto tho !
bill IL II got through Congress. an init |
nation that Democratic Senators re-
fuse TO share.
tAptCA the i8Illt bi4l 10 De nclcu !
on some time next week" said Senator
Penrose. II looks TO me now as Il that
In the way the situation Is developing"
Hes anything happened to make you
believe that the passage OF tho bill ie
so nenr?" the Senator was asked.
mo. but the situation itself In devel- |
oping in that way. The debate Is about
exhausted. and do not believe there IL
any element In the Senate that will
stand out against vote when the de-
bate IL finished. There 20 rumor that
President Wilson may sign the bill. !
do not know that OF my own knowl-
edge, but .he rumor Is going the rounds
Practically all the amendments that the
Senate has put In will be adopted. ! do
not know the sentiment Of the House,
but take II there viii be no difficulty
In getting an agreement In conference.
In fact believe we can get the bill out
Of conference IN half an hour. believe
tho sugar tariff will he adopted by the
Senate and the probability is that the
House will split"
-.