The New York herald., 1921-12-19
CONGRESSIONAL JAM
HALTS VITAL BILLS
Two Weeks of Present Ses-
sion Have Produced No
Important Results.
MORE DELAY AHEAD
Recess to Be Followed by
Talks on Tariff. Bonus
and Funding Bills.
TALK OF CLOTURE RULE
TALK OF CLOTURE RULE
Sentiment FavOrs Move to
Choke Off Irrelevant Debate,
but This Will Be Fought.

opeClut DtSputCN 70 IHE NEW YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington. ID. c.. Dec. 18.
Administration leaders are again
much worried over the jam of legisla-
ton in Congress and the tardiness OF
the legislative machinery on Capitol
Hill. They point out that while the
present session of Congress has been
functioning two weeks no importan,
legislation has been enacted, leaving
the calendars crowded with vital mat
ters-most of the measures to which
the Harding Administration is COM
mitted.
Now Congress plans to take a re-
cess next Thursday to extend until
January 2. Aside from the long time
which probably will be consumed by
the discussions of the allied funding
BILL the tariff bill. the bonus bill and
other important controversial meas
ures, the leaders point out that the
treaties from the arms conference
and it is reported four will be pre-
sented to the Senate for ratification
undoubtedly will bring forth a pro-
longed and acrimonious debate con-
Stunning an indefinite amount of time.
Because OF the gloomy outlook some OF
the leaders IL Congress are planning for
series of conferences with President
Harding during the holidays, hoping to
devise ways and means to speed up the
legislative MILL
TO Choke on Debate.
There is a pronounced sentiment In
the Senate in favor of the adoption of
some sort of a cloture to cut off ir-
relevant debate. A measure with that
object in view will soon be reported by
the Rules Committee. 1t will be bitterly
side. according to Senator Robinson
(Ark), a member of the Rules sub
committee. which will take up more time
of the Senate before any decision can
be reached.
Senator Townsend (Mich.) is strongly
In favor of some such legislation AL
though he figures 1t will take a month
to force through the Senate any sort OF
workable cloture rule. he says that
despite the value Of time now 1t would
he well spent IF we succeed in curtafl-
ing Irrelevant debate ana frequent I'LL
clustering resorted to by the minority"
House leaders resent the accusation
that they are responsible in any way for
the present legislative Jam and they are
in no temper to submit to dictation from
other departments of the Government,
Judging from the spirited reply made by
Floor Leader Mondell CWyo) to the
mild reprimand of the action OF the
House by Secretary Of War Weeks.
Between now and adjournment Tor
the holidays no important legislation
will be considered. Senator Kenyon's
bill authorizing the appointment or
some one identified with the agricultural
interests on the Federal Reserve Board
has the right of way in the Senate. That
measure will provoke discussion and
again line up the agricultural bloc
Senator Kenyon is strongly OF the
opinion that some such representation
on the Federal Reserve Board is needed
in order that the farmers be granted the
financial relief to which they are en-
titled from the national Government
In the House only routine matters Will
be considered this week for the most
part.