The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-11-18
FORECAST
OF EXTRA
SESSION
Congress Called > To
Consider Ship Sub
sidy With President m
Determined to Press
For Enactment

:
addition Of railroad legislation to
the ship subsidy and other admin
istration measures on the program
for the coming winter in congress
was indicated today by White
House developments.
President Harding was said TO
have told White House callers that
he intended to press the ship sub
Isidy bill strongly in the house next
week and also through the senate
and this in the face Of discouras-
ing reports from Republican con-
gressional leaders. The president
also made an appointment with
Chairman Cunamins Of the senate
interstate commerce committee to
take up in few days the aues-
ton Of railroad legislation. Amend
ment of the Esch-C -Cummins law -tn
strengthen the railway board. PCS
sibly by giving it powers.to enforce
orders upon railroad officials and
employees, was reported nnder
contemplation.
The president today made par
tial plans for the opening next
Monday Of the extra session Of
congress. His opening message,
which probably will be in the form
of a personal address at a joint
session next Tuesday, will be very
brief, it was said, and will be de-
voted principally to the ship sub
sidy bill. The opening address
also is expected to urge speedy dis-
position of appropriation bills Walh
view to clean up Of all press
ing business by March 8 next and
avoidance Of an extra session next
spring of the newly elected con-
gress.
The president, it was stated Off
cially at the White House intends
the house TO take up the ship sub
sidy bill Immediately during tie
two weeks of the extra session
preceding the regular December
session and requests will be made
! of the rules committee next week
for special rule to hasten the
house vote on the measure. It is
believed the president will also in
his message next Tuesday submit
! later recommendations on other
subjects. He'is required under the
law to submit the annual budget to
congress at the opening of the De-
cember session and this may be the
vehicle for other legislation.
| Increasing difficulties for the ship
! subsidy bill are reported by return
ing Republicans. The president was
said to have been told today by
prominent Republican leaders that
there was little, if any chance. OF
enactment Of the measure by March
g. The executive, however, was said
to feel that he was in duty bound,
with his knowledge of the Euro
pean and domestic shipping sit
uation, to press the bill with al
possible vigor.
The administration was said tc
hope that notifications might raj
ly sufficient support to the bill in
! the senate to remove some Of the
objections. One of the modifica-
tons reported in contemplation is
a limitation upon profits Of shir
operators receiving government
aid, a provision similar to the rail
road earning clause of the trans
/ portation act.
Reorganization Of government
departments is another subject OF
uncertain status in the legislative
program for the winter. While the
president has been planning te
present recommendations Of the
legislative commission on depart
mental reorganization to the con.
gress soon after it convenes there
is a possibility of delay. In addi'
ton to the administration pro
gram for the winter there are pros
pective demands from the farm
group in both senate and house fol
initiation of farmers credit legls.
lation to provide short term loans
for agriculturalists. This, with
many other group and industria
legislative demands, appears a:
factor in the possible development
of legislative jam which can no'
be cleared during the coming shor
session.
Arnour Confers With