The Washington herald., 1921-03-04

The sixty-sixth Congress drew
close to its end last night with many
important measures doomed to fail
ure in the legislative jam which in
variabIy attends the passing Of
every session.
While throngs jammed the gal
leries. automobiles hooted and
shrieked about the Capitol plaza
and searchlights played brilliantly
up and down the great buildings
sides, the Senate faced a worse last
hour legislative jam than usual.
with $50 odd measures pending. the
Senators struggled to run a large
part of the mass through the en-
actment hopper and did not heed
the curious crowds who circied
about the corridors.
1t was announced soon after the
evening session commenced thai
it would continue until the time for
induction ceremonies for the new
Vice President. but at l a. m. the
upper House adjourned until 10 a. m.
In Hopeless Position.
Among the measures which ap-
peared hopelessly blocked were;
The $500, ,o00,o0 naval appropria-
tion bill, carrying with it the Borah-
Edge amendment for a building cur
tailment conference between the
United States, Great Britain and
Japan. -. =
The minimum wage bill, aiming
a - f4
employees throughout the country.
The Calder coal bill declaring
fuel to be a public necessity and
paving the way for public owner
ship of coal mines. .-
The emergency tariff bill, leyying
high duties on foodstuffs to relieved
the farmers from finxnciai-stress.
The Dillingha m immigration bill,
to restrict immigration during the
next year to 355.000 persons.
Army Bill in Doubt.
The fate Of the army bill is in
doubt. The measure in its final
form. providing for an army of 1885,
662 men, was sent to the President
yesterday after an extended wran-
Cling. 1t would be no surprise to
members of either house II the Pres
ident should veto 1t and at this late
hour there would be no opportunity
to pass 1t over his veto.
Only a few days ago the Presi-
dent vetoed the New resolution, re-
ducing the size Of the army to 49,
900, on the ground that the present
condition Of the world did not war
rant such a decrease. and Senators
are inclined to believe he will adopt
a. -, 10,
ton bill.
The Presidents veto doomed the
tariff bill. There is no chance of
passing it over his disapproval. 1t
has been repeatedly demonstrated
that the measure cannot command
the necessary two-thirds majority.
Immigration Veto Likely.
There was no word as to Mr.. Will
sons intentions regarding the i'm
migration bill. u he adheres to his
previous declarations he will veto
it and it will die along with the
other important measures caught in
the jam
Senator Penrose. of Pennsylvania,
despite his illness, sat all afternoon
in the Senate waiting for an oppor-
tunity to bring up the soldiers bo-
nus. NO opportunity presented IL
self. Senator Walsh, of Massachu-
setts, and Senator Jones, of New
Mexico, also made futile attempts
to bring the measure before the
Senate.
sundry Civil Bill Saved.
The Senate struggled with the
deadlock until l o'clock this morn
ing, finally agreeing to a belated
conference report on the s400. .oo0,-
900 sundry civil bill. which up to a
late hour appeared hopeless be-
cause of the s10.000.o 900 Muscle
Shoals dam appropriation, which
the House refused to accept.
The Senate conferees were finally
forced to give up this appropriation
to save the bill. A few minutes be-
fore / o'clock .the Senate adjourned
until 10 o'clock.
The House remained in session to
clean up action on the sundry civil
bill SO that it may be ready for
the Presidents approval when he
reaches the Capitol to pass on be-
lated legislation.