The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1923-12-03
68TH congress IN
session TODAY
CONSIDERATION OF GREAT BAL
ANCE OF NEW LEGISLATION EX-
PECTED SEE LONG SESSION

Washington-(A P)-Members OF
the 68th congress assembled today
for session which, in the opinion of
leaders, will write much political as
we'll as legislative history. There ap-
peared to be more than the usual
hustle after the nine months lull.
Hundreds of bills and resolutions
were ready for introduction in both
houses.
While congress must devote itself
primarily to the passage of the an
nual appropriation bills, leaders fore
saw multiplicity of subjects to be
dealt with Among these are taxa
tion, the soldiers bonus, veterans
legislation, immigration, prohibition,
the railroad and agricultural situa-
t1ons, the world court proposal, gov
ernmental reorganization and the
Muscle Shoals project.
Some elements in both the House
and Senate still contend it would be
unwise to tamper with the tax sta
tutes, while others are determined to
make bold fight for revision. In
the latter class are those who agree
with Secretary Melons plann, and
those who do not accept his views,
but believe there should be changes
to lift and shift the tax burden. Any
legislation dealing with the revenue
law will first be handled by the
House ways and means committee,
which will have original jurisdiction
over soldiers bonus bill.
Secretary Melons warning that
passage of bonus measure not only
would prevent reduction in taxes,
but likely would result in heavier
taxation during the ensuing years,
has served to develop a sharp differ
ence of opinion in both senate and
house as to the wisdom Of enacting
such legislation. Supporters of the
bonus program, however, are firm
In their insistence that it must be dis
posed of at this session.
AS regards the railroad situation,
one element in congress is expected
to oppose any effort to amend the
transportation act, which in the opin-
ion of most railway executives should
stand as it is. Other groups, how
ever, have served notice that they will
support moves to compel conso1ida-
ton of carriers, repeal section 15-A
of the act which provides for a ''fair'
return to the roads, abolish the rail-
road labor board, restore to state
commissions jurisdiction over state
rates or to make additional changes
in the law.
The farm bloc is expected to make
a determined effort to provide relief
for the farmer and a wide range of
solutions for the country's agricul-
tural ills undoubtedly will be put for
ward. Coupled with this demand it is
expected that demand will be made
for action on the Muscles Shoals.
Expiration of the present tmmigra
tion law will make action on that
question imperative. The house i'm
migration committee has begun work
On a proposed new law.
It is expected that during the
session the international situation
will come to the fore on more than
one occasion, especially in the SEN
ate, which was asked by the late
President Harding to sanction parti-
cipation by the United States in the
World Court.
Domestic issues that are expected
TO engage much attention include
proposals to limit the
powers of the supreme court, foresta-
ion and the question Of embracing
more banks in the federal reserve
system.
An element of uncertainty is in
ected because of the scant major
ties OF the republicans in the senate
nd house. Party leaders admit the
langer that republicans who are
members of the progressive bloc will
'werve from the administration on
Tarious propositions, thus perhaps
eojardizing the majority's program.
Under no statutory requirement to
ldjOurn March 4, the session, senators
md representatives generally predict !
will continue we'll into next summer !