Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1921-04-15

Many other domestic issues are to
come before the session, which, many
members expect, will be so crowded
with important business that it will
merge into the regular session mex.
December. The two houses met to.
day under unusually favorable au-
spices for the majority party. Presi-
dent Harding's program, expected to
be outlined in a message to the two
houses today or tomorrow, can be put
through intact If it meets with the
approval of all republicans in con-
gress, for they have clear working
margin of 100 in the house and %
in the senate, enough to render the
democratic majority helpless.
Under vigorous leadership. how
ever, particularly in the senate, where
Oscar Underwood is in the saddle, the
democrats plan to make themselves
felt. Their announced program is not
purely obstructive; it is more nearly
program Of constructive criticism,
with a view to making record upon
which they can go to the country in
the congressional elections of 1922,
in an effort to regain control of con-
gress, or at least to reduce the mar
gin of republican control.
Here is how the program lines up.
in advance of Harding's message,
which, it is expected, will limit the
legislative agenda to the most impor-
tant domestic subjects, plus ratifica-
ton of the Colombian treaty.
Enactment of temporary or
emergency" tariff, for the benefit of
American agricultural interests.
Passage of an anti-dumpng bill to
protect American manufacturing in
terests.
Revision of the tax laws, with par
ticular attention to the so-called war
taxes, including elimination, If pos
sible. of the excess profits tax, and
substitution for it of one or more
forms of taxation. revision of the in
come tax schedules.
Enactment of a new permanent
tariff in place of the Underwood-Sim-
mons law, with schedules as high or
higher than those Of the Payne
Aldrich and Dingley laws.
Enactment of a soldier bonus law,
providing for a number Of kinds Of
adjusted compensation to ex-service
men, including cash payments, insur-
ance, land grants, home ownership,
ETC. This will require enactment Of
revenue legislation to provide the
money, although the plan is to defer
operation of the law for some time.
Passage of laws reorganizing GER
tain government activities, among
which may be the combination of va
rious departments and reduction OF
personnel.
Consideration Of the transportation
problem, with probable amendment
of the transportation act of 1920.
These are the outstanding features
of the program, though Harding may
decide to include a number of others,
among them enactment of anti-prOfit-
eering laws to replace those sections
declared unconstitutional this spring
by the supreme court; measures de-
sired by the farmers to enable them
to obtain credit more easily, etc.
While the house is putting in mo-
ton the machinery necessary to pass
the emergency tariff and anti-dump
ing bills, the senate is to consider the
Colombian treaty, under an agree
NEST to vote on the eighth day after
the session begins. There may be n
lively tilt over this pact, particularly
over efforts of Senator Lodge to have
it considered in secret.
The senate also will have large
number of nominations to consider,
among them that of former Repre-
sentative John J. Esch of Wisconsin,
who failed Of confirmation as mem
Der of the interstate commerce com
mission at the extra session Of the
senate in March. The shipping board
and other important posts are also to
be filled.
Indicating their intention of put
ting the Harding program through as
quickly as possible. senate leaders
have determined, to impose the clo-
ture rule. limiting debate. with re-
spect to the emergency tariff bill.
This may cause a long wrangle. with
the democrats stoutly opposing 1t.
Development Of Harding's foreign
policy may engage the senate's atten-
ton before the session ends, though
the present desire is to dispose first
Of domestic questions. The question
Of a separate peace with Germany,
through adoption of the Knox resolu-
ton or some substitute repeating the
declaration of war, will come to the
front soon after the session convenes,
an