Evening star., 1921-02-20
The Senate.
By G. GOULD LINCOLN.

Having passed the immigration
bill, the Senate has practically
cleared the legislative decks for
final rush to put through all the
remaining appropriation bills be-
fore March 4, when the Congress
expires. 1t is true that there are
several stumbling blocks that may
prevent this desideratum. In the
nrst place. there is an insistent
demand that the Winslow bill.
authorizing partial payments by
the government to the railroads of
the money owing to them, be
taken up and passed. and on the
other hand, there is strong opposi-
t1on to such a course.
Then there is the opposition to
the naval appropriation bill due
to the controversy over the wis
oom OF continuing with the nava,
building program. which calls for
many additional battleships. This
opposition is so strong that it may
result In the naval bills failing to
pass. The Army appropriation
DILL 100. may get lost in the jam,
owing to the manner in which the
house has curtailed appropria-
tions for the standing Army. I'm
der 1t, 1t is estimated, the Army
would have to be reduced to 1872
Ooo. 1t is not believed that the
senate will stand for such a cur
tau IN the size of the Army at
TINS time. and if the Congress did
pass the measure with such de-
creases. the President might
veto it.
The immigration bill as it
passed the Senate Yesterday by
a vote of 81 to is substitute for
the House bill. 1t is framed on a
percentage basis. allowing immi-
grafton to flow into this country
in accordance with the immigrants
from the various countries already
here. The Senate has fixed per
cent as the number of aliens to be
admitted. 1t is said that the Sem
ate will actually restrict immigra-
tion into this country to a greater
extent than would the House bill,
which called for suspension of i'm
migration for year with a num-
Der of exemptions. 1t is pre-
dicted that the conferees on the
bill will be able to reach an
agreement on the basis of the
Senate bill and that it will become
a law.
1t may be mentioned in connec-
tion with the passage of the immi-
grafton bill. that the Senate has
made an unusual record for the
passage Of important legislation in
short session Of Congress: Among
the bills passed are. in addition to
the immigration bill, the bill for
the regulation of the meat pack
ers. the emergency tariff bill. the
Dill restoring the War Finance
Corporation. the Capper bill au-
thorizing associations Of farmers
to buy and sell and the so-caled
Muscle Shoals bill.
The appropriation bills still await
ing the action of the Senate are
the agriculture. naval. Army. forti-
ncations. rivers and harbors, and
the general deficiency. There re-
main still ten legislative days in
which to dispose of these bills. In
cidentally the other supply bills.
with the exception of the District
bill and the pensions bill. must be
dealt with in conference.
The Senate last week agreed to
the bill to regulate the cold stor-'
age business. If the House takes
similar action, this measure. which
has been pending for a number Of
years. will be sent to the President
for his approval. Another bill
which is nearing the final stage is
the so-called patent Office bill. in
creasing the pay of employees of
the patent office and amending the
patent laws in some particulars.
Senator Norris. in charge of this
Dill. is seeking favorable action by
the Senate. 1t has already been
agreed to by the House.
Further District legislation, SO
far as the Senate is concerned. Is
not expected at the present ses-
sion.
The Senate finance committee ia
expected to report to the Senate
this week the soldiers bonus bill,
propably with the revenue raising
features eliminated, and renuh.
lican leaders will make an effort
to get final action on the measure.