Evening star., 1923-12-03
Massachusetts. recognized as the wet

- -sT1- "a 7--
Massachusetts. recognized as the wet
leader.
Families Present.
In the front row on the democratic
side, was Gen. Isaac r. Sherwood, who
, first took his seat in Congress fifty
years ago, b-ing the only man III Con-
gross today who occupied a seat when
| Uncle Joe Cannon first came to the leg
islative chamb r. Gen. Sherwood is the
Eestor Of the present house.
William Tyler Page, Clerk OF the
House In the Sixty-seventh Congress,
and whose reelection as clerk Is un-
disputed, read the credentials of the
members by states in alphabetical order.
The first vacancy noted was that caused
by the death of Representative Cantriii
OF Kentucky, whose successor has been
elected. but his credentials have not
been received.
The gathering in the galleries was n
cosmopolitan grouping of the American
citize nship from every state in the
had their families here TO witness their
taking the oath of office.
Congress Facing Uncertainties.
The new Congress faces uncertain.
ties both as TO ITS ability to organize
promptly and to enact even major
portion of the pressing legislation
confronting IT.
With the progressive bloc welding
the balance of power and prepared
10 make a determined fight for re
organization of committees and for
its legislative program, the new
Congress is confronted by a situation
unparalleled in a number of years.
Insurgents Plan Fight.
The republican insurgents pla nned
10 strike first in the House, using
their votes to prevent the election
of a Speaker in an effort TO obtain
concessions from the party organi-
cation for drastic modification of the
rules and greater representation on
committees.
The position Of the Senate pro-
gressives was less clearcut, but since
the program was for an opening ses-
sion of mere formalities they still
could await possible developments ,
before coming to A final decision as
to the best campaign of battle.
Democrats Alert.
The democrats in both the House
and Senate were ready to take ad-
vantage, both political and legisla-
tive. of the split in the ranks of the
majority and to that end their leaders
had marshaled their forces to the
While Congress must devote itself
primarily to the passage OF the annual
appropriation bills. leaders foresaw a
multiplicity of subjects to be dealt
with Among these are taxation the
soldiers bonus, veterans legislation,
immigration, prohibition, the railroad
and agricultural situations, the world
court proposal: governmental reor-
project.
Decide on Tax Revision.
Some elements in both the House
and Senate still contend it would be
unwise to tamper with the tax
statutes. while others are determined
to make a bold fight for revision. In
with Secretary Melons plan. 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 !
also will have original jurisdiction F!
over a soldiers bonus bill.
Secretary Melons warning that !
passage of a bonus measure not only I:
would prevent a reduction in taxes,
but likely would result in heavier
taxation during ensuing years, has F.,
served to develop sharp difference
of opinion in both Senate and House !
as to the wisdom of enacting such I
legislation. Supporters of the bonus |
program. however. are firm in their !
insistence that it must be disposed |
of at this session.
veteranI Bureau Affairs.
The inquiry Of the special Senate |
committee into the Veterans Bureau
lative action designed to make that |
agency moro efficient and to better
the lot of the disabled former service +,
man.
AS regards the railroad situation. |
one element in Congress is expected |
to oppose any effort to amend the |
transportation act, which, in the |
opinion Of most railway executives, !
should stand as 1t is. Other groups. ;
however, have served notice that they ..
will support moves to compel con- |
solidatton of carriers, repeal section |
15a of the act, which provides for a F,
fair return to the roads, abolish !
the Railroad Labor Board, restore to !
state commissions jurisdiction over
state rates or to make additional
changes in tbs law.
The farm bloc is expected to make
a determined effort to provide relief /
solutions for the countrys agricul-
tural ills undoubtedly will be put |!
forward. |
Muscle Shoals Project.
Coupled with this program II Is ex-
pected that a demand will be made |
for action on Muscle Shoals. South |
ern members of Senate and House in I;
tend to press for acceptance of Henry |
Ford's offer for the project. Chair
man Madden of the House appropria-
tions committee has prepared a bill
to provide for the constitution OF a
steam power plant to replace the one
sold to the Alabama Power Company.
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.
1t is expected that during the ses.
sion the international situation will |
come to the fore on more than one
occasion, especially in the Senate.
which was asked by the late Presi- |
dent Harding to sanction participa-
ton by the United States In the |
world court.
Domestic issues that are expected to I
engage much attention include prohibit |
tion, proposals to limit the powers OF
the Supreme Court, forestation and the
question Of embracing more banks in
the federal reserve system.
Element OF Doubt.
An element of uncertainty is injected
because of the scant majorities of the
republicans in tho Senate and House.
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