The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1922-06-05
President
Keen For
Ship pActiion
ny DAVID LAwRENCA
Copyright 5y The Intelligencer)

Washington, June 4--Congress Is In
an irritable mood. Several near hst
fights have occurred in the last few
days in the midst OF debate. President
Harding Ia impatient of congressional
delay on important measures which he
considers as paramount. The fall cleo
tions hang over the legislative body
like an impending storm. And tho cap
ttol has discarded Its heavy rugs and
substituted thin floor mats In anticipa-
ticn OF a not summer.
This IS the situation as the month or
lure begins. And those who have a
habit Of looking forward are already
corjeoturtug as 10 the outcome. Presi-
don; Harding has Just added another
chunk OF fuel 10 tho flames. He has
announced that he wants the ship sub
sidy bill passed at this session Up 70
this time he has indicated that he would
he content with action by the house
alone and that he would walt for the
senate 20 act in the regular December
session.
Country Cannot walt
But Mr.. Harding's further examina-
tIon Of all the factors surrounding ten
shipping situation has led him to the
conclusion that the country cannot walk
that the government must at once
devoted
pn added drain on the governments
finances. Mr.. Harding feels that the
ship subsidy matter Is. moro important
than anything else on the legislative
horizon except tAe tariff, which ne
wants disposed Of at once II congress
has an idea that II can get through
with the tariff and bonus measures
and take a holiday till next fall II Is
much mistaken
The fght on the tariff bill IS only In
ctdental In the progress OF the bill
through the senate. Defenders OF the
measure as reported from the finance
committee are consuming almost as
much time answering the opponents or
,ha bill as are the latter. But even II
all sides agreed 70 eliminate unneces-
gary debate the measure would require
a, least another month and half. FOR
the amendments are In the thousands
ea deaoh must oe voted upon.
rhe Strain Telling
The strain OF steering the tariff bill
through the senate Is already beginning
10 reu on Chairman McCumber OF the
finance committee. A phystca! alterca-
tior With Senator Robinson, Democrat
vas narrowly averted day ago when
the two senator's Quarreiled about TAX
Ing recess after wearisome night
session Indeed the lights on the cap
Itol dome have been burning nightly as
the Republican leaders have endeaEored
10 keep the tariff bill moving. Even II
there were no partisan inhuences-anu
there always are when a tarir bill IS
being cons!dered--a measure 50 revoiu-
>ionarv as tariff revision after war
~ such magnitude as the recent con-
aict Il about the most difficult legis-
iatiys task that could be imagined. Inc
whole thing IS topsy-turvy. Some OF the
most ardent protectionlsts are adYocat-
ing that certain articles be left on the
free list and some OF the free-traders
ars shouting for protective tariff. Ec-
nnor,lc factors have changed since pre-
uar days and as usual a tar'H bill Is a
s,rlrtlv commercial affair with all sorts
~ varvInS calculations being made
sbou, tho difference In cost OF produc-
tion between foreign and American
goods.
Congress Is hardly In what might be
called an ar1iable mood with itself IN
te-nal disputes In each party are sourc-
es OF constant friction though the Dem
ocrsts are enjoying the !mmunsties or a
minority PARTY from major responsible
IT,, and are sailing along without the
.ayrA vrorrges and discord that prevails
In the Republican ranks. Today as al
Tho beginning pronounced leadership is
absent. Representative Nondell has
moved the legislative program along
Hrroothly IN the house. but the senate
Is gul OF iudiv!dualists who are not
srnsnabIe even TO the human touch or
their former colleague now IN the exec
utlve rars!on. Maybe the fall elections
will restore party harmony.